Skillet
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Skillet Biography
Classic rock riffs, swirling drums, monstrous hooks, and undeniably catchy
choruses… hints of old school progressive rock mixed in with modern alternative
flourishes… touches of classical influence as swelling strings intersect with
sonic adrenaline rushes. It’s indeed a fusion unlike any other, marking the
latest chapter in the continuous evolution of Skillet, whose moniker couldn’t be
more fitting for their explosive new Lava/Atlantic Records release,
Comatose.
The project follows Skillet’s 2004 Lava/Atlantic debut Collide,
which launched the group into the mainstream with the single “Savior,” and
garnered the quartet a prestigious nomination at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards
in the “Best Rock Gospel Album” category. Collide went on to become their
best-selling project to date, with over 200,000 units sold, while the band
played some 200 dates a year – including tours with the likes of Three Days
Grace, Saliva, Shinedown, and 12 Stones – in the process becoming one of the
hardest working, heaviest rocking, boldly witnessing, and most broadly appealing
acts of its generation.
“We’re proud of where we’ve been in the past, but
I feel like this is our strongest record,” says vocalist/bassist John Cooper of
Comatose. Recorded at Chicago Recording Company (Smashing Pumpkins, Michael
Jackson, R. Kelly), the album was produced by Brian Howes (from famed Canadian
TVT band Closure and Hinder’s hit debut) and mixed by maestros Chris Lord-Alge
(Green Day, Hoobastank, Bon Jovi, P.O.D.) and David Bottrill (Tool, Staind).
“There are so many different influences that it won’t just be about rock
audiences or metal audiences,” notes Cooper. “I think there’s something here for
everybody.”
That’s not to say that the group has watered down its message
or cheapened its sound by a single cent, but rather stepped out on several limbs
to continue its influence on the mainstream, while holding firmly to its
faith-based roots. Pop in the project for a matter of seconds and it’s obvious
Skillet has raised the bar yet again, building off the refined musicianship
found on Collide and taking it to even more jaw-dropping extremes. A case in
point is first single, “Rebirthing,” a complex but accessible amalgamation of
piercing strings and humongous power chords calling all to come alive in Christ.
In sharp contrast, but equally compelling are tracks like “The Last Night,” “Say
Goodbye” and “Yours To Hold,” all oozing with ethereal orchestration and
insanely infectious sing-a-long potential.
On the other side of the
Skillet, Comatose shows the band flexing its experimental muscles, adding
several piano-based and progressive-influenced pieces. A careful dissection of
“Whispers” unveils nods to the current prog crop via the channels of Yes, while
“Better Than Drugs” (focusing on an eternal destiny rather than earthly gain) is
a delightfully schizophrenic barnburner that is one of the disc’s most
aggressive displays. “The Last Night” takes a more delicate twist, merging
John’s vocals with his wife Korey Cooper’s keyboard cadences.
“It’s a new
era for both Atlantic and Skillet,” exclaims Andy Karp, head of A&R for
Atlantic Records. “It’s the first record where we’ve really been one on one with
the band, and it’s the latest step in our unique journey together. I’ve been at
the label seventeen years and we’re known for having so many great rock n’ roll
bands: Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Yes, Bad Company. There really aren’t a lot of
labels that have that kind of pedigree for rock acts, and Skillet is yet another
in a long line of great bands.”
Cooper and company can certainly relate,
citing several from the label’s lineage as influencers since its infancy.
“Growing up, I was a prog freak and loved bands like Yes and Dream Theater,” he
confirms. “I also grew up with my mom as a classical piano teacher and took
lessons for eight years, along with playing in the marching band and symphony.
It’s funny because every once in a while there was a touch of that on Collide,
but until recently, I didn’t see what that background had to do with rock music.
On this record, we were able to make it work structurally with the piano and
strings, plus there’s enough prog to make me happy.”
Aside from Skillet’s
musical strides, Cooper’s songwriting has expanded to cover a vast range of
topical territories, some of which follow spiritual and socially conscious
ideals, while others vulnerably mirror his personal life and struggles. Take,
for instance, the aforementioned “The Last Night,” which talks about someone
considering suicide after living life in despair and not having support from
their parents. Rather than calling it quits, a supportive friend reminds of
God’s unconditional love and they’re eventually talked down from that ledge.
Even closer to home for Cooper is “The Older I Get,” which picks up after his
mom passed away, tracing the rocky relationship he had with his dad and the
eventual forgiveness they reached.
“My dad got remarried two months after
my mom died, and my stepmother’s husband had also passed away a few months
earlier,” he recalls of the admittedly faith-tested time. “It was a really
bizarre situation and they didn’t get along, which was also the point when my
dad and I started fighting. From the time I was fourteen or fifteen, I don’t
remember having a single conversation with him for about four years that didn’t
have to do with fighting. But a lot has mended since then and we’ve been able to
move on. You can only go through life so long living in regret, and while those
situations certainly affected me, I don’t hold onto the anger
anymore.”
Those introspective visions tie in with the group’s overall
goals of promoting positive messages that will give fans something to digest
beyond pre-conceived clichés or trite topics, and open the gate for spiritual
seekers.
“The funny thing about Jesus is that He wasn’t just all talk,
but as much or more about relationships and communicating to people in a
relatable way, as He was solely preaching to them,” he observes. “The way we
tend to evangelize in today’s Christian society is actually often times much
different than the way Jesus reached out. As I was writing for this record, I
realized bands like Linkin Park and Staind and Korn were being more relevant to
people than I was. We prayed about these sessions, and we knew this is the
direction God was leading us. It allows us to reach out to people who’ve maybe
been turned off by what they think is ‘Christian music,’ which may get them out
to a concert to hear even more of our message. I’m very passionate about
evangelism, but love begets evangelism and we want people to know we care about
their needs in a practical way.”
Naming the record Comatose further
cements those expressions, hoping to rev up listeners to break beyond the
mundane, get on track with their relationships (here on earth and with the
Creator), while charging forward with hope. “John has written the best songs
he’s every written and there’s been such an evolution on all levels for the
band,” says Karp.continues. “Sonically we set out to create a combination of
electronic elements, orchestration, and a melodic approach. Skillet has managed
to hit all of those three exactly on target, raising its game to yet another
level of excellence.”
But more than composing a disc with killer
compositions, Cooper hopes the album’s deeper meaning of awakening will strike a
chord on all levels with listeners. To the church specifically, it’s a reminder
that life’s focus needs to be reaching out to others while stepping aside from
denominational squabbles, self-absorption, and even negative technological
influences.
“Comatose as a concept is meant to challenge people to invest
in the relationships around them,” Cooper sums up. “We’re all so desperately
trying to communicate with each other online with MySpace and instant messenger
that no one gets to know one another, and they feel so alone with nobody to talk
to about their problems. At the same time, there are a lot more severe
situations out there like the aftermath of a hurricane, poverty, or
homelessness. As a society, we need to come out of our sleepy apathy, our
materialism, and as a church stop fighting over our petty differences. If we do
that, maybe on a grand scheme we can help someone out in a city somewhere that
we’ve never even met. In traveling around so much, especially in the last couple
of years, we’re aware of people needing and hurting more than ever before. We
want these songs to start the wheels in motion for believers and non-believers
alike to change that cycle for the better.”