DROWNING POOL Is Working On 'Monumental' Seventh Studio Album

Texas heavy rockers DROWNING POOL have commenced the songwriting process for the follow-up to their 2016 album "Hellelujah". Guitarist C.J. Pierce told the 97.1 The Eagle radio station in a brand new interview (see video below): "We're working on new songs right now, which is awesome. We're working on tunes for the next record. We have a bunch of stuff on the plate. Everybody's brought amazing stuff, material. The thing with this is just to try and go through and see what we're gonna do on the next record. So we'll hash out all the ideas and songs and then start narrowing it down. So it's nice to have more than enough to go through."

Asked how the material for the next disc compares to the songs on "Hellelujah", Pierce said: "It's just a continuation of that. I mean, it's rock and roll. There's a lot of different ideas, again, on the table, so it's coming together. Jay [vocalist Jasen Moreno] and Steve [bassist Stevie Benton] bring a lot of lyrics to the table as of late as well. I love the double meanings in everything that we have. We're getting deeper with the lyrics — deep tracks — so it's getting there. [We're] just evolving as a band, and it's monumental. This next record with Jasen, it's three records in [with the same singer] — the first time we've done that with anybody. So, obviously, we like Jay; he's gonna stay around."

Moreno, DROWNING POOL's fourth frontman, told 97.1 The Eagle about his time with the band so far: "I love it. It's gonna sound so cliché, but it's been a mind-blowing experience and it hasn't faded, it hasn't lost its luster. It continues to challenge me in ways that I never could have foreseen. I didn't expect my life to go this way. Obviously, I wanted it to, but I never thought that it would actually happen. So I don't think that I'm ever gonna really be in full belief and acceptance of what has happened, 'cause it's just so crazy."

Moreno, who previously fronted fellow Texas band THE SUICIDE HOOK, replaced vocalist Ryan McCombs, who exited DROWNING POOL at the end of 2011 after a six-year stint in the lineup.

DROWNING POOL played a number of shows earlier this year with singer Joey Duenas, formerly of the bands UNLOCO and ANEW REVOLUTION. Duenas was apparently filling in for Moreno, who was unable to make the dates for reasons that have not been disclosed.

DROWNING POOL — with Moreno on vocals — took part in the "Make America Rock Again" U.S. tour in August and September, alongside Scott Stapp, SICK PUPPIES, TRAPT and ADELITAS WAY.

DROWNING POOL's original singer, Dave Williams, died on tour in 2002 after singing on the band's debut, "Sinner". He was replaced by Jason "Gong" Jones, who also contributed to one record, "Desensitized", before being shown the door in 2004.

"Hellelujuah" came out in February 2016 via eOne Music. The follow-up to 2013's "Resilience" was recorded with renowned producer Jason Suecof (AUGUST BURNS RED, DEICIDE, DEATH ANGEL).