Skillet is certainly not a band I need to introduce or tell you about. Certainly everyone has heard of the platinum-selling, world-touring, rock icons. Their most recent album Rise, just got picked up by CBS for their sports broadcast. Not to mention the incredible sales the album has been garnering since its release over the summer. Skillet is one of the biggest names, not only in Christian rock, but in mainstream rock as well. But would you believe me if I told you that wasn’t always the case? Would you believe that the band got its start playing electronic rock? Would you believe there was a time when Skillet had no girls in it at all? Would you even believe that John Cooper’s hair used to be originally long, shaggy, and blonde? Skillet tried several sounds before they finally settled on the one they have today. In 2003 the band released their heaviest rock album, Collide, and the single “Savior” helped them make some radio success. But without a doubt, it was 2006’s Comatose that made them the powerhouse they are today.
This album is comprised almost entirely of hits from start to finish. It kicks off strong with the string into of “Rebirthing”. This was a sure sign of all of the strings the band would continue to incorporate over the run of their career. From there the powerful “Last Night” tells the story of a girl on the verge of giving up only to have God tell her that she never has to be alone again. “Yours To Hold” is about an unrequited love which is a story I related to closely in my Jr. High School days listening to this record. The title track is a powerful cry to God to wake up from this world and “Those Nights” lasts as an anthem to friendship and remembering those you love. Easily the most unique track on the album, and to this day may be one of the most unique to this day is the finale, “Looking for Angels”. The song features a sort of “talk/singing” from Cooper and stands as a song for those who need an angel; which any of us could be.
Skillet’s career has gone through quite a few changes over the years. From electronics to strings, from alternative rock to hard rock, and from blonde to black hair. They’ve truly managed to make a name for themselves, and the Christian and mainstream markets alike have been huge supporters of the group. Who would have guessed that a band named after a frying pan would come to be one of the world’s biggest rock bands? Skillet’s career is huge and only likely to grow in the time. Without a doubt, Skillet would never have gotten to where they are today without the help of their breakthrough album, “Comatose”. And I’m proud to have that album sitting on my shelf to this day.
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