'' The Awakening ''is the ninth studio album by American
Christian metal band
P.O.D.
P.O.D., an initialism for Payable on Death, is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992 and based in San Diego, California. The band's line-up consists of drummer and rhythm guitarist Wuv Bernardo, vocalist Sonny Sandoval, bassist Traa ...
It was released on August 21, 2015. The album is unique in that it is the band's only concept album of their career, complete with skits and voiceovers before and after each song.
Critical reception
Doug Van Pelt, giving the album four stars for ''
HM Magazine
''HM Magazine'' is a monthly, digital and print on demand publication focusing on hard music and alternative culture of interest to Christians. It is headquartered in Houston, Texas. The magazine states that its goal is to "honestly and accurate ...
'', writes, "When looking back at P.O.D.'s amazing career, there's probably going to be some landmark albums that stand out in most fan's minds... This one is not far behind." Awarding the album four out of five stars from ''
CCM Magazine'', Matt Conner states, they will "remain at the top", with
Howard Benson's production, where it has the theme of a "central character coming to terms with his own mistakes...
iving the albummeaningful depth."
Mary Nikkel, rating the album four and a half stars at New Release Today, says, "''The Awakening'' easily one of the strongest rock releases of the year, a must-have for longtime fans and newcomers thirsty for some heavy music with substance."
Indicating in a ten out of ten review at
Cross Rhythms
Cross Rhythms is a Christian media organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It operates an FM and online radio station, produces radio shows sent internationally, and its website has resources about contemporary Christian music.
Hi ...
, replies, "An album likely to be eventually acknowledged as P.O.D.'s finest ever release."
Chad Bowar, rating the album three stars from
About.com, says, "P.O.D. fans will be intrigued by the wide variety of styles and the memorable songs on ''The Awakening''."
Track listing
Personnel
P.O.D.
*
Sonny Sandoval - vocals
*
Marcos Curiel - lead guitar
*
Traa Daniels - bass
*
Wuv Bernardo - drums, percussion, rhythm guitar
Additional musicians
* Lou Koller
( Sick of It All) - guest vocals on "Revolución"
*
Maria Brink
Maria Brink (born December 18, 1977) is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the frontwoman of the metal band The band has gone on to release seven studio albums and receive four nominations, two from Alternative Press Music Awards, ...
(In This Moment
In This Moment is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed by singer Maria Brink and guitarist Chris Howorth in 2005. They found drummer Jeff Fabb and started the band as Dying Star. Unhappy with their musical direction, they ...
) - guest vocals on "Criminal Conversations"
* Theodore Scott Smith - trumpet on "Want It All"
Production
*
Howard Benson - producer, programming, keyboards
* Gavin Lurssen - mastering
* Reuben Cohen - mastering
*
Jay Baumgardner
Jay Baumgardner is an American record producer, engineer and mixer. He has worked on albums by The Regulators, Seether, Superheist, Ugly Kid Joe, Bush, Helmet, Sevendust, Papa Roach, Endwell, Coal Chamber, Drowning Pool, Godsmack, Three Days Gr ...
- mixing
* Paul DiCarli - editing
Charts
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Awakening (P.O.D. album), The
P.O.D. albums
Concept albums
Universal Records albums