The band Drowning Pool - most known for signature smash hit “Bodies” - has released six solid albums since debuting on the heavy metal scene 15 years ago with the album “Sinner.” While this is an impressive feat on its own, the fact that the group has remained successful over this time period while recording and touring with four different singers is quite astounding.

The Texas-based act’s core members - guitarist C.J. Pierce, bassist Stevie Benton and drummer Mike Luce - have managed to defy the odds, consistently creating new music and endlessly performing live all across the globe. Now, with Jasen Moreno on the mic, Drowning Pool is further proving its resiliency with new album “Hellelujah.”

The 13-song release - which came out in February from the band’s new label, Entertainment One Music - is one of Drowning Pool’s heaviest efforts to date. What else would one expect from song titles like “Hell to Pay,” “We Are the Devil,” “Goddamn Vultures” and “Meet the Bullet”? And aggressive lead single “By the Blood” is an in-your-face anthem reminding you not to mess with the foursome.

“I think ‘Hellelujah’ is the record Drowning Pool fans have been waiting for,” said Moreno during an interview with HNGN about his second album with the band he’s fronted since 2012. “I’m not knocking [2013’s] ‘Resilience’ or anything. I’m proud of ‘Resilience,’ and ‘Resilience’ is great. We learned what we needed to learn from that record. Obviously, with a singer change, there is always going to be some reservations, perhaps some doubt. People don’t know what to expect. We’re through with the growing pains.”

Read on for more from our exclusive chat with the Drowning Pool vocalist….

Tell everyone about the new album.
“Hellelujah” is, hopefully, in our opinion and by our own design, probably one of the heaviest, if not the heaviest, Drowning Pool efforts thus far. That was totally intentional. We wanted to get back to the roots, if you will. When we went in to record with [producer] Jason Suecof, the mad scientist genius that he is… he really helped us realize that. “Hellelujah” - all things metal and heavy and pissed off and spiteful and angry.

Drowning Pool seems to go back-and-forth between heavy metal and hard rock - and fans stick by it.
That’s one of the admirable things about Drowning Pool and their relationship with the fan base. It’s an awesome experience coming into it. Drowning Pool fans are loyal like nothing I’ve ever experienced before… all the singer changes and, as you say, our albums, some being modern rock and some are a bit heavier depending on who was the singer at the time. Drowning Pool has always been able to play to the singer’s strength. The fans have stuck by Drowning Pool, so I wouldn’t say they favor any sound over the other. I think they are just in it for the long haul to support Drowning Pool.

Since there have been so many singers, how do you handle it as a band? Do you laugh at it? Celebrate it?
Depends on who you ask. I know it hasn’t been an easy ride for the guys. From the tragic passing of [original vocalist] Dave [Williams], it’s been extreme highs and extreme lows. It’s a testament to their fortitude. I don’t think they revel in it by any means. I think they celebrate it in the sense that they’re not going to be defeated by anything - singer changes, label changes, you just ride the waves and keep on keeping on.

No offense to you, but do the other guys think they would still be fronted by Williams had he still been alive today?
Without a doubt. If Dave was alive, that’s the guy. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. This is his band, his creation, his legacy. I don’t think anything would have changed that.

Drowning Pool’s biggest hit single, “Bodies,” was first released in 2001. Is the band still amazed at the song’s success and longevity?
Yeah, I would say so. If ever there was a song that one could associate with metal, I think “Bodies” would be it. I think anyone in their shoes would still be awed and inspired by that. That’s magic! They wrote “Bodies,” and that song is never going to go away. I would say they are still floored by the fact that it’s still relevant and will always be relevant.

Do you remember the first time you heard Drowning Pool?
Oh, yeah. I was local when they were local on the Dallas scene. I was in another local band and we played several shows together, shared the same stage. We all knew what was going to happen back then - we all had this friendly rivalry going on with each other and everyone knew that Drowning Pool was going to do it. Dave and the guys were magic. There’s no way you could have been in the scene back then and not know. You can deny it all you want, but it was always going to happen. Always.

After Drowning Pool broke big, did they help you or your band out in any way?
Drowning Pool never let that platinum act status go to their head. They’ve never forgotten who they are, where they come from. When they’ve had the opportunity to go back and help bands, they did, and my old band was one of them. I toured with Drowning Pool, opening up [with my band The Suicide Hook]. We weren’t signed, but they still let us tour with them. [Also] I sold merch for Drowning Pool.

What’s the current state of the Texas rock and metal scene?
The Texas scene has always been strong. Of course, I’m probably a bit biased, being born and raised in Texas. I think Texas is the best country in the world! The scene is alive and well and kicking. Hopefully, when people think of Texas music, they are appreciative of it. I think we can contend with the L.A.s and New Yorks. There are lots of good bands. Everyone should visit Texas.

Will you be touring throughout 2016?
Hell, yeah. I can’t wait to get out and play these new songs for the fans. I hope they dig it, but if they don’t, we’re going to play them anyway. We’re working on world domination. We’ll play the damn moon if we get the chance. We’re going everywhere!

DROWNING POOL TOUR DATES
April 10: Bangkok @ The Rock Pub
April 13: Hong Kong @ Hidden Agenda
April 17: Jakarta, Indonesia @ Hammersonic 2016
April 22: Orlando, Fla. @ EDBD 23 Friday Night Fiasco
April 23: Orlando, Fla. @ EDBD 23
May 5: Toledo, Ohio @ Realm
May 6: Lexington , Ky. @ Manchester Music Hall
May 7: Cleveland, Ohio @ The Odeon Concert Club
May 14: Kansas City, Mo. @ KQRC RockFest 2016
May 29: Dallas @ 97 The Eagle’s BFD 2016
June 12: Inwood, W.Va. @ Summer Jam
July 15: Bridgeview, Ill. @ Chicago Open Air Festival
July 16: Mansfield, Ohio @ Ink in the Clink
July 24: Auckland, New Zealand @ Kings Arms
July 26: Adelaide, Australia @ The Gov
July 28: West End, Australia @ Max Watts
July 29: Camperdown, Australia @ Manning Bar
July 30: Melbourne, Australia @ Max Watts
July 31: Perth. Australia @ Capitol
Aug. 13: Brownfield, Texas @ 4B Wild West Bike Rally
Aug. 19: Glen Flora, Wis. @ Northwoods Rock Rally

For more on Drowning Pool, visit the band’s official website or social media pages (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).