P.O.D. Goes Apocalyptic With New Single “OUTBREAK” Featuring NORMA JEAN’s Cory Brandan
P.O.D. has released one of the heaviest songs of its career with “OUTBREAK,” a new single featuring NORMA JEAN vocalist Cory Brandan.
Out now through Mascot Records, the track pairs the band’s trademark groove-heavy attack with a darker, more frantic edge built around zombie-apocalypse imagery, doomsday tension and the uneasy line between fiction and reality.
“OUTBREAK” was produced by Grammy-winning producer Will Yip, whose credits include TURNSTILE, CODE ORANGE and CIRCA SURVIVE. It marks P.O.D.’s first new original music since 2024 album VERITAS.
The collaboration with Brandan grew out of P.O.D.’s 2024 U.S. tour with NORMA JEAN, where the two bands spent significant time together offstage as well as on.
“This is possibly one of the heaviest songs P.O.D. has ever written, so we wanted to showcase a guest vocalist who reflected that,” vocalist Sonny Sandoval said. “Cory’s voice and tone bring a specific intensity and command that draws you in.”
According to guitarist Marcos Curiel, the song’s concept came naturally from the band’s shared interest in zombie movies, video games and post-apocalyptic storytelling.
“As avid fans of zombie apocalypse, video games, and movies, it seemed only fitting to compose a song about this topic,” Curiel said. “The song delicately straddles the line between nonfiction and fiction.”
The idea began with a rough guitar demo Curiel sent to Sandoval under the working title “OUTBREAK.” Sandoval said the combination of the riff and warning-sample atmosphere immediately suggested an apocalyptic theme.
“This by far was the heaviest idea yet,” Sandoval said. “The guitar riff and warning sample immediately gave me a frantic, apocalyptic, doomsday-type vibe.”
Bassist Traa Daniels said the song quickly became one of his personal favorites from the band’s catalog.
“This track is destined to be a crowd pleaser,” Daniels said, pointing to its zombie-inspired theme and parallels with contemporary events.
The release follows an aggressive stretch of touring for P.O.D. Over the past several years, the band has shared stages with DAUGHTRY, NORMA JEAN, LIMP BIZKIT, CREED, SEETHER, GODSMACK, DROWNING POOL and SKINDRED while also touring Latin America and Europe.
Its 2026 European run included 20 festivals across 16 countries.
That momentum follows VERITAS, which reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Current Hard Rock, Current Rock and Current Alternative Album charts. The album has surpassed 83 million streams and includes “DROP,” featuring LAMB OF GOD vocalist Randy Blythe, and “AFRAID TO DIE,” featuring JINJER vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk.
With P.O.D. approaching its 35th anniversary in 2027, Sandoval said the band has no interest in repeating itself.
“We have always written our way and never try to duplicate other albums,” he said. “This is P.O.D. 2027!”
P.O.D. Live
Oct. 2 — Sacramento, CA — Aftershock
Oct. 24 — Fort Worth, TX — Sick New World
Oct. 31 — Anaheim, CA — House of Blues
Nov. 7 — Saltillo, Mexico — Brujas Festival
Nov. 29 — Newstead, Australia — Good Things Side Show
Dec. 1 — Hindmarsh, Australia — Good Things Side Show
Dec. 2 — Melbourne, Australia — Good Things Side Show
Dec. 4 — Melbourne, Australia — Good Things Festival
Dec. 5 — Sydney, Australia — Good Things Festival
Dec. 6 — Brisbane, Australia — Good Things Festival
P.O.D. consists of Sonny Sandoval on vocals, Marcos Curiel on guitar, Traa Daniels on bass and Zachary Christopherr on drums.
“OUTBREAK” is available now through Mascot Records! Watch the official video: