For all of last year's much-hyped reunions one that flew under the radar is the rejoining of guitarist Marcos Curiel with his San Diego brothers P.O.D. Don't expect it to go unnoticed, as the lineup that took P.O.D. to multiple platinum successes with 1999's The Fundamental Elements of Southtown and 2001's triple-platinum Satellite, which featured the hit singles "Youth of a Nation," "Alive," "Boom," and the title track, is back to reclaim their place atop the rock scene with their Columbia Records debut, When Angels and Serpents Dance.

"Our fans are excited and we're having a lot of fun," front man Sonny says. "After four years Marcos is back in the band, we've got new music. Things are exciting. When the four of us are in a room making music it's definitely right and Marcos has a distinctive sound, it definitely sounds like him and he brings that passion for music into the band."

The quartet's renewed vigor is evident throughout When Angels and Serpents Dance, from the searing guitar line that kicks off the in your face hard rocker "Addicted" to the monumental, "End Of The World" complete a gospel choir, to the album's most ferocious track, the savage "Like Old Times," the first song written by the reunited incarnation of the quartet. "I think the first riff [Marcos] showed us, the working title was called "Seems Like Old Times,'" Sonny says of the song. "He started writing a riff and the only way we could remember it being it was our first riff together was to call it 'Seems Like Old Times.'"

The band is finding that fans are responding to the different sound, which Sonny believes will give P.O.D. a chance to expand their already diverse live concerts. "The last song we recorded was an acoustic song and it's getting a lot of buzz, just label people and even our street team that we let hear it," Sonny says. "I don't think we ever broke out an acoustic guitar and just did a slow song, but obviously it's got some kind of impact. We've heard nothing but cool things. The next tour we might have to break off in the middle and break out an acoustic guitar and do something different."

As has always been the case with P.O.D. the band looked to those that inspired them rather than the hot artist of the moment for guests on the album. "That's what we do on our records, we bring in people that influenced us." And while the band is fans of all three of the artists, it's clear that having the daughters of the legendary Bob Marley appear on their album is something Sonny is very proud of. "We thought of the Melody Makers and put a call out to Cedella, which is Marley's first born. She was familiar with the group and when she called my house I was pretty much almost speechless just to hear her voice," Sonny recalls. "We sent her the music, they loved it, and then I flew out there to see the Marley's, I believe it was his home out there in Florida. I just stood out of the way and let them do their thing and it sounds awesome."

Perhaps that passion and energy is because while this lineup of P.O.D. know each other well and the band has amassed Grammy nominations, multi-platinum success, sold-out shows around the world, and all of the ear markings of true rock stars, this is in many ways a new beginning for P.O.D., one that has more to do with them as people than as musicians. "I think it's so cool that we're rebuilding our friendship with Marcos and catching up on old times, it's like putting on an old shoe," Sonny says. "In the handful of shows that we've played I've probably made more eye contact on stage with Marcos than I have even in the past just because it's so cool to look over and see him there. For me the fun part right now is just seeing Marcos up there and I've always loved Marcos' sound and tone. We've been trying out new amps and all kinds of different stuff and we're thinking about maybe bringing another player to jump out there with us and help with some of the music that we're making. So it is like new. I'm actually looking forward to touring and goofing around with the guys."

Indeed, When Angels and Serpents Dance is the sound of a rejuvenated band, the P.O.D. you know and love doing it the only way they know how, passionate, aggressive, and with a message for our times.