P.O.D.'s 'The Awakening' To Feature Guest Appearances By IN THIS MOMENT's MARIA BRINK, SICK OF IT ALL's LOU KOLLER

Grammy-nominated SoCal hard rockers P.O.D. will release their ninth studio album, "The Awakening", on August 21 via T-Boy/UMC. The evocative album, produced by the band's longtime collaborator and friend Howard Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, KELLY CLARKSON),features 10 tracks and special guests Maria Brink from IN THIS MOMENT and Lou Koller from SICK OF IT ALL.

Beginning today, "The Awakening" is available worldwide for preorder on CD, digital, and vinyl LP. Preorders for the digital album on iTunes unlock the rousing lead single "This Goes Out To You" for immediate download.

P.O.D. is on tour throughout the summer and well into the fall, with confirmed shows in more than 25 U.S. cities. Before heading out on tour, P.O.D. will celebrate the release of their new single, "This Goes Out To You", by performing a special pre-game "Party At The Park" set at San Diego's PETCO Park this Friday, June 12 (San Diego Padres vs. Los Angeles Dodgers).

Long known for carrying the hard rock torch with a positive message, P.O.D. are looking forward to sharing "The Awakening" with fans around the world. The album travels on a journey based on the good and bad choices of a central character, exploring the consequences of his decisions.

"'The Awakening' is meant to be listened to in its entirety," says P.O.D. singer and lyricist Sonny Sandoval. "Every song ultimately explores a character dealing with life, making mistakes, fighting, trying. But we also live in a singles-type world, and it works on that level, too."

Sonically, each track benefitted from the band's years of studio and stage experience. "I used to want to put as many tracks of guitar on the record as I could, because I thought that's what you did," says guitarist Marcos Curiel. "But as I've gotten older, I've realized that the more space you're letting in with all the instruments, everything breathes and has an energy and a vibe."

"'The Awakening' is definitely an evolution from where we've come from," says bassist Traa Daniels. "It's this amazing piece of art that we've been able to put together as four guys who are like brothers; this is really special."

"I feel this is like a pivotal moment for P.O.D.," says drummer Wuv Bernardo. "It's more than just, 'Man, we just went in the studio and did a record…' The urgency of our band, as far as how serious we are putting this kind of material in there and the way that we did it, blows my mind. I am proud of these guys, of us."

P.O.D. is Sonny Sandoval (vocals),Marcos Curiel (guitar),Traa Daniels (bass) and Wuv Bernardo (drums).

When asked about P.O.D.'s particularly active schedule this year, Wuv summed it up well for everyone, saying, "This time around it's just pure band excitement. It's natural and it's where we're at."

"The Awakening" track listing:

01. Am I Awake
02. This Goes Out To You
03. Rise of NWO
04. Criminal Conversations (feat. Maria Brink)
05. Somebody's Trying to Kill Me
06. Get Down
07. Speed Demon
08. Want It All
09. Revolución (feat. Lou Koller)
10. The Awakening