Payable On Death

Payable on Death is the fifth studio album by Christian nu metal band P.O.D. It is the group's first album to feature guitarist Jason Truby following the controversial departure of Marcos Curiel, and their last album produced by Howard Benson (until Murdered Love in 2012). Payable on Death was released on November 4, 2003, through Atlantic and marks a notable de-emphasizing of the band's distinctive rap metal style. While a commercial disappointment compared to Satellite, it still managed to sell over 1,300,000 copies worldwide.
Following the triple-platinum success of Satellite, P.O.D. enjoyed abundant radio, television, and concert success. However, on February 19, 2003, guitarist Marcos Curiel left the band under controversial circumstances, with contradictory reasons given from both parties. The remaining members expressed remorse in their friend's departure and considered disbanding until Jason Truby, former member of Christian metal band Living Sacrifice, assisted with the recording of "Sleeping Awake", from The Matrix Reloaded soundtrack. The alliance strengthened the band and allowed them to begin recording a new album in spring 2003.
Yearning for a fresh start, the group rented a practice space in San Diego and started jamming with no expectations and no deadlines. Vocalist Sonny Sandoval explained, "We took it back to the roots. We broke down the walls in this abandoned warehouse and set up shop. The doors were always open to our friends and family and people around San Diego to come through. And it was just more of a home vibe." According to bassist Traa Daniels, "It was innocent and it was natural and fun." Within the first month of recording, P.O.D. had an unprecedented 17 songs to work with. The group also decided on the title Payable on Death both to set the record straight regarding the band's initials and as a symbol of their rebirth.
Daniels stated the two rules in writing their fifth album as "to never have any boundaries musically" and "to be as organic as we could possibly be." The latter meant not relying on ProTools and instead using an "old school" approach to recording. Daniels also explained their desire to "just be a rock band. Period. Not a "nu metal" band, not any of these other categories and clichés that people have been trying to throw on us."
Guitarist Jason Truby expressed satisfaction with his participation in the songwriting process: "Everyone respects each other and they let me be me and also we understand that there are boundaries. You can't redefine P.O.D. and flip the whole page into some new band. It's just P.O.D. and everybody brings something to the pot and puts their ingredient in, which kept it P.O.D. instead of it turning into 'Okay, this is P.O.D. with Jason.'"
On Payable on Death, the band chose to head in a more traditional metal sound than the previous album, Satellite. Traa Daniels noted in May 2003 that the album would deal with the upsetting departure of Curiel but that "a lot of these songs are coming out fun. We're not a downer band. We're not trying to get too deep." The sixth track, "Revolution", and the last track, "Eternal", feature Phil Keaggy. Jason Truby personally requested Keaggy's presence on "Eternal". The track features Truby playing acoustic rhythm alongside Keaggy's electric guitar on lead.
The album cover was designed and painted by Latino artist Daniel Martin Diaz. While Daniel claims he is a devout Catholic, some Christians felt the cover was negatively symbolic, and in a move previously experienced with The Fundamental Elements of Southtown, 85% of Christian music stores refused to carry the album. In response, Sonny Sandoval stated that he "couldn't care less" and that the album was selling well regardless. Diaz was asked to compose the interior layout as well, which he completed in less than a week. All of these illustrations were taken from other paintings he created. When viewed in the original paintings, the symbolic meanings can be observed; most of the paintings contain Catholic imagery, combined with a fair amount of mysticism.
Having sold 106,000 copies in its first week, Payable on Death debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200 chart on the strength of the first single and music video for "Will You". The band filmed a video for the next single, "Change the World", but it was never shipped to MTV. However, it did air on the lesser known Fuse TV. The album's relatively poor sales compared to P.O.D.'s mammoth success, Satellite, have been partly attributed to a shakeup at Atlantic Records, leaving P.O.D. with no label support. Atlantic was sold to a private investor resulting in several thousand people, many of whom close to P.O.D., losing their jobs.
According to Soundscan, Payable on Death sold a little under 500,000 copies as of January 2006. However, it has shipped over 500,000 copies in the U.S.; therefore, Payable on Death was certified gold by the RIAA. Not until June 2004 did it pass the one-million sales mark. It has sold over 1,300,000 copies worldwide. It is credited as the last commercially successful album released by P.O.D.

Lineup

Sonny Sandoval – Vocals
Jason Truby (Living Sacrifice) – Guitar/Backing Vocals
Traa Daniels – Bass/Backing Vocals
Noah "Wuvy" Bernardo – Drums/Backing Vocals

Guest Artists

Phil Keaggy - Guitar