The P.O.D. Kast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 46: Adema's "Adema", or a Nu-Metal Cinderella Story Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

After a Poll of bands we thought may never get a chance to win, Adema's "Adema" emerged as the clear victor and how could it not: an album we loved a single from, featuring Jonathan Davis' half-brother and a bunch of listeners telling us it's good. Well, folks...it's good. So good, in fact, that Bryan teases the P-word. Does it reach Perfecto status? You'll have to listen to find out. And of course, the articles are as good as you expect, as everyone in the band seems to hate Jonathan Davis' half-brother Marky--no one more than their current vocalist and former Orgy guitarist Ryan Shuck--and bassist Dave DeRoo declares them a nu-metal "Cinderella Story". You know, that classic tale where a band makes their debut album and labels get into a bidding war over them because the lead singer is one of the most popular band's in the world's singer's half-brother and one of the other guys used to be in that same singer's former band with a guy who is currently in Orgy, whose singer's dad is an industry maven...you get the point. It's a true come-from-behind, rags-to-riches tale and we dig into all of it right here.

If you want to dig into more of this show, head on over to patreon.com/thepodkast, where $4/month gets you access to THREE bonus episodes every month, merch discounts, access to our Discord, and more. Last month, we covered the vaunted Scorpion King soundtrack with Eric from the Soundtracker podcast, and we also dropped some new merch that you gotta get a discount on and pick up. It's a collab with YOUNG AND SICK and it's insane. You can check that out at thepodkast.cool.

Episode 45: Rage Against the Machine's "Evil Empire", or Answering Nu-Metal's Toughest Question May 05, 2023

Show notes

It took 45 episodes, but we finally answer the question of whether or not Rage Against the Machine counts as nu-metal. It's a question that has rocked the message boards and Twitter threads since the dawn of time, and finally, two dumb guys from opposite sides of the continent put the debate to bed. We also dive into a deep and honest discussion about being leftist and creating art, as Rage are constantly meant to answer for their politics and Bryan draws a deep parallel with that to his own life and creative career. Plus, the songs are just really, really good. So that helps too. And because this show always contains multitudes, we do also talk about David Draiman finally fulfilling his truest form: being a divorced guy.

If you want to find your truest form, you can do so by donating to the show at patreon.com/thepodkast, where a simple $4/month gets you access to THREE bonus episodes every single month. You'll get a full-length one, like last month when John's wife Becca joined us to discuss "Linkin Park and Jay-Z: Collision Course", and you get two short ones on nu-metal songs. Plus you get merch discounts (we have new merch on the way!!!) and access to our exclusive Discord. It's the best deal in podcasting!

Episode 44: Disturbed's "Believe", or You Can Lead The Guy to Water, But You Can't Make Him Rock Apr 04, 2023

Show notes

He's baaaaaack! We are covering our favorite nu-metal Capital-G Guy for the third time on this show (including bonuses), as David Draiman and Disturbed make their triumphant return to the podcast in our review of "Believe", the band's second studio album. It turns out that we end up spending a LOT of time talking about THEIR Capital-G Guy, their logo, who is called...well, he's called "The Guy". What started as a smiley face ends up the star of a comic book as "The Vengeful One", a story so insane it prompts Bryan to buy the comic book they based off of this character in the middle of the episode. And boy is this episode everything you expect, as we both start out liking the album and then it takes a back-half turn into a bunch of songs with B-side flavor and we predictably turn on it. We also watch one of our favorite video clips of Draiman discussing songwriting, he tells MTV how this album has him "naked on a platter", and he bemoans his status as a rockstar God, serving as some sort of proto-Drake. It's a great time.

If you want more of a great time, head on over to patreon.com/thepodkast, where $4 a month gets you THREE bonus episodes every single month! Last month, we covered Drowning Pool's "Sinner: 13th Anniversary Edition" with our friend Kevvy, and you also get access to our Discord, merch discounts, and two special singles episodes each month too. Plus, if you got the cash, you can tell us what to cover for an episode! It's a great deal! Check it out now.

Episode 43: Sevendust's "Home", or the Dickpick Papers Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

An episode nearly 4 years in the making, John finally gets Sevendust to win a Poll and tries to help Bryan realize that they're good, actually. It's an uphill battle after the Kast's first exposure to the band was their hideous "Southside Double Wide" acoustic album on a bonus episode, but John tries his best to convince Bryan that Sevendust are a good band despite his aversion to them for one single reason: the first time he saw them live, singer Lajon Witherspoon could not stop picking at his dick. After some initial pondering whether or not nu-metal can be sexy, we get into the Sevendust album proper, as Bryan squares his teenaged vision of Sevendust with where they're at in 2023. And well...it goes ok. Bryan acknowledges Sevendust has some killer riffs, but the songs mostly fall flat for him, but John still loves the band despite also acknowledging perhaps this album isn't a complete effort. We also fight about "Bender", get into their extremely varied touring history (from Coal Chamber to Creed to Metallica to Nickelback) and we wrap it up with the articles, where Lajon seems like a very nice fella and Bryan considers walking all his criticisms back.

If you want to help support these two nice fellas, head on over to patreon.com/thepodkast, where $4/month gets you access to THREE bonus episodes every dang month. Last month, we reviewed a really fun one from the young stalwarts in Silly Goose, an Atlanta band that is cutting their teeth by playing OUTSIDE of venues, and with over 100 episodes in the back catalogue (which you get access to the day you start donating), you can't go wrong. Plus, you get merch discounts (new stuff coming!), access to our Discord, and more!

Episode 42: Deftones' "Deftones", or We Are Definitely Not a Ska Band Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

It's been nearly two years since we've covered Deftones on the podcast, and not a moment too soon, as we go over 2 hours talking about our favorite boys from Sacramento. An album that was great at the time and perhaps has aged even better, we both ponder this being a true turning point in Deftones' career, both from a musical standpoint and considering where we (and a lot of fans) were at in our own lives. It feels like the last album Deftones made in the nu-metal era, and it goes so hard. John waxes poetic about "Minerva", placing it among Deftones' top songs, and Bryan holds a big-time candle for "Battle-Axe". We also discuss how extremely the band was into their own supply at the time, as they declare themselves a better live band than Metallica, discuss turning down a 7-figure deal for the Family Values Tour, and we learned that their work ethic was so loose that Maverick actually fined them for turning this album in late. Oh, and this album also somehow cost $2 million.

If you want something that doesn't cost anywhere near $2 million, you can donate to the show at patreon.com/thepodkast, where $4/month gets you THREE bonus episodes every single month. You'll get two short bonus episodes about a single nu-metal song, and then one full-length bonus including last month's, where we brought on Josiah Hughes from 155-pod to talk about the ill-fated Sevendust acoustic record, "Southside Double-Wide". We also have a sweet Discord, merch discounts, and almost 100 episodes in the back catalogue, so don't waste any more time and help support your favorite Nu Boyz.

Episode 41: Avril Lavigne's "Let Go", or Take Me Somewhere New, I'm With Nu Jan 07, 2023

Show notes

We are with you this month, listeners, as we calm things down a bit and review the seminal sorta-pop-punk, sorta-pop, sorta-country, barely-nu-metal "Let Go" by Avril Lavigne, an album that sold an absurd number of copies and turned John into a loyal fan of a pop artist for one of the first times in his young life. We both remember our flirtations with skateboarding as teens, and John recalls having a monster crush on Avril when the "Complicated" video first dropped. We also chat about the album itself, as Bryan finds himself surprised that he doesn't hate it, John likes it even more than he remembers, and while reading the articles, we get a glimpse back into a time period where being a teenage pop star--especially a female one--was an absolute disaster.

If you want something that's not a disaster at all, you can support the show and become a donor over at patreon.com/thepodkast. For $4/month, you'll get THREE bonus episodes every single month, as well as access to our Discord, merch discounts, a monthly listening list, links to the articles we read on the show, and more! It's the best deal in podcasting, so don't miss out!

Episode 40: Sepultura's "Roots", or Podcast Bloody Podcast Dec 06, 2022

Show notes

It took 7 polls and 40 episodes but Bryan's dream finally comes to life as we review one of his favourite nu-metal albums, Sepultura's "Roots". Heading into the episode, Bryan assumed that John would hate it, but it's a surprise for John too, as he finds a lot to like on this seminal classic. We dig into it all, from the crossover with the Xavante tribe to the Brazilian musical elements to its influence on the genre of a nu-metal as a whole. Plus, we ponder whether or not Jonathan Davis is right when he said this record was a blatant rip-off of Korn, we try to determine how much producers should be allowed to make the same sounds on subsequent records, and we get into the departure of Max Cavalera from the band and wonder whether or not your wife should ever be your band's manager. Also...come on Max. This album is nu-metal.

If you are also nu-metal, you should consider donating to support the show at patreon.com/thepodkast. We post three bonus episodes every single month for just $4, including last month, where we reviewed The Punisher 2004 Soundtrack with Robin Hatch. This month, we've also got a special appearance from HolidayKirk as we rank all 50 singles we've covered on bonus episodes in an episode that should be a doozy. Plus we've got merch discounts, access to our Discord, and more fun stuff over there (you can tell us what to do for an episode!) so please check it out!

Episode 39: American Head Charge's "The War of Art", or The Seventy Percent Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

American Head Charge's reputation in the online nu-metal community is very strong, with some critics putting this album amongst the very best in nu-metal history. But does it come across that way for us? With neither John nor Bryan having extensive history with this album, we dig into all of its lore 20 years later, from the flag burning and shotgun blasts to the literal nonsense lyrics, as every interview with every band member has them broadcasting their complete nonchalance with the whole thing. We marvel at how good the production is, a pinnacle of Rick Rubin's career, how good the musicianship is, and how we just kinda wish the singing wasn't so...well, so dour. We also attempt to grapple with exactly where it stands in nu-metal history and if it deserves all the flowers it gets. Plus! We have actual nu-metal news to discuss, as the Sick New World festival got announced and we have some thoughts about how it's all shaping up.

If you want to hear more of our sick thoughts, you can head on over to patreon.com/thepodkast, where $4/month gets you THREE bonus episodes every damn month. Last month, comedian Ryan Williams joined us to dissect the Judgment Night soundtrack, as we finally cover the seminal classic album that some say helped to launch nu-metal as a concept and a genre. Plus you'll get access to our Discord and merch discounts (we have shirts!) over at merch.blockedparty.com. Get into it!

Episode 38: Incubus' "Make Yourself", or Libertarians on Psychedelics Oct 05, 2022

Show notes

In what will likely be the last Incubus record that could be considered nu-metal enough for the show, John and Bryan dig in to Incubus' third album, "Make Yourself", one that's highlighted Brandon Boyd's "introspective" phase that spits out some of the weirdest lyrics ever committed to paper but backed, as usual, by some incredible music. The two of us debate whether or not Incubus is responsible for a second "Bryan's Perfecto", a tag he's only ever given out once on the show to the other Incubus album we covered, "S.C.I.E.N.C.E." and we both reminisce about how this album made us feel a lot of feelings. While talking about how he listened to this album while living in a mobile home with 3 other people, Bryan realizes that this could've been the record that helped 21 year-old, partying Bryan become friends with 15 year-old, weirdo nerd John. It's truly an album that unites generations of nu-metal fans, and we get into all of it right here.

If you want to unite with other nu-metal fans, you can donate to the show at patreon.com/thepodkast and join our Discord. And that's not all you'll get for $4/month, you also get THREE bonus episodes every month, two short singles episodes and one full-length review. Last month's full-length episode was a special one as Nolan Sykes from Donut Media joined us to discuss nu-metal's history with cars and Limp Bizkit's "Rollin'" from just about every angle. It was a really fun one that you don't wanna miss! We also have merch! The first-ever P.O.D. Kast shirt is now available at merch.blockedparty.com. Check it out!

Episode 37: Korn's "Life is Peachy", or To Infinity and Beyond Sep 06, 2022

Show notes

You can be a nu-metal fan but not be constantly engaging with the classics, particularly a band's--by their own admission--rushed second album. We know about the legacy of the self-titled. We know about how many copies Follow the Leader sold. But where does "Life is Peachy" fit into Korn's legacy as a band, and the legacy of nu-metal as a whole in 2022? Well, it turns out that both Bryan and John were very pleasantly surprised by how much they liked it still. It completely whips, and we have fun getting into all of it. We discuss Ross Robinson's "improved" production, why exactly Jonathan Davis is so mad at Mr. Rogers, what a song consisting of the most vile words the English language has is doing on the album, and why there's two covers over the span of 3 songs. It's a testament both to Korn's excess at the time, but also the limited scope and budget with which they had to operate that excess. It's an album that has some of Korn's absolutely best songs, and some of their most baffling decisions, but ultimately stands the true test of time. And of course, we dig into the interviews and get more of these dumb guys saying very dumb things. It's Korn, what do you expect?

What you can expect over on our Patreon is THREE bonus episodes every single month for the low price of $4. Head on over to patreon.com/thepodkast and you'll get one full-length bonus, like last month's review of Edgewater's "South of Sideways" with Producer Dan, and two mini singles reviews every month. Plus, you can tell us what to review for a bonus episode and we've got a very cool and fun Discord. It's all there, check it out and support this show!

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