P.O.D. have unveiled another new single, “Afraid to Die,” featuring Tatiana Shmayluk of Ukrainian metal band Jinjer.
The track is classic P.O.D. with its fusion of rap and riffs. Frontman Sonny Sandoval’s verses are complimented by clean vocal passages from Shmayluk, and the anthemic sing-a-long chorus harkens back to “Youth of the Nation,” one of the band’s most well-known songs.
“‘Afraid to Die’ is a combination of cryptic and triumphant melodies,” said P.O.D. guitarist Marcos Curiel via a press release. “It has storytelling rhymes and chugged verses, and a wide open, melodic yet semi-morbid, chorus. It’s anthemic In every sense of the word.”
Regarding the collab with Shmayluk, which came to fruition on P.O.D. and Jinjer’s 2022 tour together, Curiel added: “Our dear friend Tatiana Shmayluk offers her unique approach and we had incredible musical chemistry with her. This is P.O.D. hitting the human core of our existence and dealing with love, fear, integrity, and most of all, family and friends. It’s ultimately an abundance of love and life.”
It marks the second single of 2023 from P.O.D. following the release of “Drop” in September. That track also featured a notable guest vocalist in the form of Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe.
Below you can stream the cinematic music video for “Afraid to Die” featuring Tatiana Shmayluk.