In a candid conversation with Rev. Tom Brice of Sportzwire Radio, Elias Soriano, the charismatic frontman of the enduring rock band NONPOINT, offered a compelling glimpse into the artistic direction of their forthcoming full-length album. Soriano’s remarks, transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET, paint a picture of a band resolute in its commitment to originality and an unwavering sonic identity. "I think people are gonna have fun with it," Soriano stated, emphasizing the album’s departure from the current radio landscape and prevailing music trends. "It’s different than what’s on the radio. It’s different than what people are dropping right now. It’s not what anybody else is doing. That’s the best way I can describe it. It’s NONPOINT. It’s NONPOINT and it’s only NONPOINT." This declaration signals a deliberate effort by the band to remain true to their established sound while pushing creative boundaries, a strategy that has resonated with their dedicated fanbase for over two decades.
Soriano’s insights extended to the recent perceived resurgence of nu metal, a genre that exploded in popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s and is now experiencing a revival through new artists and a renewed appreciation for its pioneers. He posited that this nostalgia stems from a collective yearning for an era characterized by escapism and uninhibited expression, contrasting it with the current global climate. "I think people remember how fun it was back then," Soriano explained. "The music right now leans – it’s decorating a time that’s kind of sad. There’s a lot of struggle and a lot of money problems in the world and war problems in the world, and mental health because of post-pandemic generation, and that is what paints new inspiration. So music, I think people are starting to remember, is for getting away from all that." He further articulated that contemporary music often fails to provide the cathartic release many listeners seek, particularly in challenging times.
The frontman elaborated on this sentiment, suggesting that the current musical offerings often lack the vibrant energy and rebellious spirit that defined the nu metal era. "When you go to the playlist to find something, a lot of it doesn’t inspire you to get creative, to get out of your funk, all that stuff. And sometimes you just wanna do it all for the nookie, you know what I’m saying? Gimme something to break. Put that fucking finger up your ass. That kind of whole time of music in the early 2000s was a spectrum of power and excess. I think fans and everybody, we all miss that. So, we definitely are trying to bring that back to this new music." This reflection underscores a perceived shift in musical sensibilities, with Soriano aiming to recapture the potent blend of raw power, unbridled energy, and defiant attitude that characterized the genre’s heyday.
Soriano expressed optimism about the impact of their new material, reiterating his belief in its ability to uplift and empower listeners. "I think people are gonna hear our new record and they’re gonna have fun. I really feel like they’re gonna have fun again, in the way that we intend it to be, I feel, which is empowering, which is retrospective, which is painted with a little bit of self-awareness, a little self-growth and then some initiative and drive and motivation peppered throughout." This holistic approach to songwriting suggests an album that not only entertains but also offers a message of resilience and personal development, resonating with listeners navigating their own life challenges.
A Deliberate Evolution: From EPs to a Full-Length Statement
The upcoming full-length album represents a significant milestone for NONPOINT, marking a return to a more extensive format after a series of successful EPs. This strategic decision was detailed by drummer Robb Rivera in a previous interview with Thunder Underground. Rivera revealed that the band has amassed a substantial catalog of new material, with "16 or 17 songs" ready for their upcoming LP. "We’ve got quite a few, and a lot in the can that we haven’t gotten to yet," Rivera stated, highlighting the band’s prolific creative output. He further emphasized the deliberate pacing of their recent work, noting, "We’ve taken our time with it. It’s been two years we’ve been writing this thing, maybe even more. We just got a bunch of ideas. And next year it’s gonna come out." This extended writing and recording period suggests a meticulously crafted album, designed to offer a cohesive and impactful listening experience.
Rivera also addressed the band’s shift from releasing full-length albums to EPs, a format they embraced with "Ruthless" in 2021 and "Heartless" in 2023. He confirmed that the new release will indeed be a full-length album, with plans for approximately 10 tracks. "Full album this time. At least that’s the plan. Right now I’m looking at maybe 10 songs, which is, that’s a full album these days, I guess," Rivera explained. He acknowledged the experimental nature of the EP format: "The EP idea was a great experiment. We just wanted to try things out. It worked. Some people liked it, some people didn’t. Me, I personally just like doing the singles. I just think you can focus on the one song. But I think we’re so happy with this new music that we wanna put out 10 [songs]." This indicates a renewed confidence in their new material, warranting a more expansive presentation.
The drummer also provided context on the band’s historical release cadence, noting their previous pattern of releasing an album every two years. "Yeah, we were actually just talking about that," Rivera recalled. "Every two years we had an album out. [It was a cycle of] record, tour, write, record, tour, write. It became too much. We never really took a breather. We did 10 albums that way." This demanding schedule, while productive, led to burnout. The COVID-19 pandemic inadvertently provided a much-needed pause, impacting their planned release of material in 2020. "And so we took our time – well, we had to take our time with ‘Ruthless’ because of the pandemic. We were gonna release everything in 2020, and everything shut down. The EP was already recorded. We recorded in February [of 2020], and then the pandemic happened. So we shut down all plans. We had actually gone dark online. We were not gonna say nothing for a while. And then, so then when we decided to do [new versions of] ‘Alive And Kicking’ and ‘Frontlines’ quarantine version, just to be visible and stuff. And then we started putting merch, we did the masks and all this other stuff." This period of introspection and adaptation ultimately fueled their creative process for subsequent releases.
Rivera further contextualized the gap between full-length albums, stating, "But a full album, I think it’s time. Since 2018 – it’s eight years without a full album. But it’s not like we haven’t had new music. We put out two EPs, we put out [the 2024 single] ‘Underdog’, so we put out 11 songs, which is really, if you look at it, it’s a full album. It’s just done in parts." This perspective highlights their consistent output of new material, even if delivered in a less traditional format, demonstrating their commitment to engaging their audience with fresh sounds.
"The Outta Control Tour": A Preview of New Material and Enduring Power
Adding to the anticipation surrounding the new album, NONPOINT has announced their headlining "The Outta Control Tour" this spring. The tour, which will feature support from SOIL and SUMO CYCO, is slated to commence on April 25 in Tampa, Florida, and conclude on May 14 in Chicago, Illinois. A significant aspect of this tour will be the inclusion of new material from their forthcoming album. This strategic move allows fans an early auditory preview of the band’s latest creative endeavors, bridging the gap between their past successes and their future sonic direction. The tour promises to deliver the signature high-energy performances that have become synonymous with NONPOINT, while simultaneously showcasing the evolution of their sound.
The band’s lineup, a testament to their sustained presence and shared vision, includes Elias Soriano on lead vocals, Robb Rivera on drums, Rasheed Thomas on guitar and backing vocals, Adam Woloszyn on bass, and Jason Zeilstra on lead guitar. This cohesive unit has been instrumental in crafting NONPOINT’s distinct musical identity, characterized by its potent blend of heavy riffs, intricate rhythms, and Soriano’s distinctive vocal delivery. Their continued collaboration suggests a strong artistic synergy, crucial for the development and execution of their new material.
The upcoming album and tour represent a pivotal moment for NONPOINT, underscoring their dedication to artistic integrity and their commitment to delivering music that is both fresh and authentic. By eschewing trends and focusing on their unique sonic blueprint, the band aims to connect with listeners on a deeper level, offering an escape from the mundane and an injection of empowering energy. The renewed emphasis on a full-length album format, coupled with the promise of new material on "The Outta Control Tour," signals a band at the height of its creative powers, ready to reaffirm their position as a formidable force in the rock music landscape. The anticipation for their new work is palpable, fueled by Soriano’s confident assertions of its originality and Rivera’s insights into the band’s meticulous creative process.