The Awakening (P.O.D. album)
| The Awakening | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by P.O.D. | ||||
| Released | August 21, 2015 | |||
| Recorded | 2014–2015 | |||
| Genre | Alternative metal, Christian metal, nu metal, rap metal | |||
| Length | 45:24 | |||
| Label | Universal, T-Boy | |||
| Producer | Howard Benson | |||
| P.O.D. chronology | ||||
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The Awakening is the ninth studio album by American Christian alternative metal band P.O.D. It was released on August 21, 2015.[1] 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.[2] Due to a lack of promotion, The Awakening was a commercial failure, only peaking at No. 75 on the Billboard 200, their lowest first week sales, before dropping off the Top 200 a week later, although it did receive positive reviews from critics.
Critical reception
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| About.com |    [3] |
| Allmusic | [4] |
| CCM Magazine | [5] |
| Cross Rhythms |  [6] |
| HM Magazine | [7] |
| New Release Today | [8] |
Doug Van Pelt, giving the album four stars for HM Magazine, 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...[giving the album] meaningful depth."[5] 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."[8] Indicating in a ten out of ten review at Cross Rhythms, replies, "An album likely to be eventually acknowledged as P.O.D.'s finest ever release."[6] 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."[3]
Track listing
All songs written and composed by P.O.D.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Am I Awake" | 5:56 |
| 2. | "This Goes Out to You" | 3:50 |
| 3. | "Rise of NWO" | 3:12 |
| 4. | "Criminal Conversations" (featuring Maria Brink of In This Moment [9]) | 5:02 |
| 5. | "Somebody's Trying to Kill Me" | 5:12 |
| 6. | "Get Down" | 3:39 |
| 7. | "Speed Demon" | 3:51 |
| 8. | "Want It All" | 3:33 |
| 9. | "Revolución" (featuring Lou Koller of Sick of it All) | 4:05 |
| 10. | "The Awakening" | 7:04 |
Total length: |
45:24[10] | |
Credits
P.O.D.
- Sonny Sandoval - vocals
- Marcos Curiel - guitar
- Traa Daniels - bass
- Wuv Bernardo - drums, percussion
Additional musicians
- Lou Koller (Sick of It All) - guest vocals on track 9
- Maria Brink (In This Moment) - guest vocals on track 4
Production
- Howard Benson - producer
Charts
| Chart (2015) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[11] | 75 |
| US Christian Albums (Billboard)[12] | 3 |
| US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[13] | 9 |
| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[14] | 15 |
References
- ↑ "Listen to P.O.D.'s New Single 'This Goes Out To You': Exclusive Premiere". Billboard.
- ↑ "P.O.D.'s Sonny Sandoval Discusses Concepts Behind 'The Awakening'; Hints at Short Film & Tour with ICP [INTERVIEW]". BREATHEcast. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
- 1 2 Bowar, Chad (August 21, 2015). "P.O.D. - The Awakening Review". About.com. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
- ↑ James Christopher Monger. "The Awakening". AllMusic. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
- 1 2 Conner, Matt. "P.O.D.: The Awakening". CCM Magazine. p. 30. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
- 1 2 Birtley, Rob (October 25, 2012). "Review: The Awakening - POD". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
- ↑ Van Pelt, Doug (August 21, 2015). "P.O.D.: The Awakening". HM Magazine. Retrieved August 26, 2015.
- 1 2 Nikkel, Mary (August 26, 2015). "Waking Up Rock and Roll". New Release Today. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ↑ "P.O.D. lift lid on The Awakening". Metal Hammer.
- ↑ "P.O.D.'S 'The Awakening' To Feature Guest Appearances By in This Moment's Maria Brink, Sick of It All's Lou Koller - Blabbermouth.net". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved June 13, 2015.
- ↑ "P.O.D. – Chart history" Billboard 200 for P.O.D.. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ↑ "P.O.D. – Chart history" Billboard Christian Albums for P.O.D.. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ↑ "P.O.D. – Chart history" Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums for P.O.D.. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
- ↑ "P.O.D. – Chart history" Billboard Top Rock Albums for P.O.D.. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
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