Skillet – Starting a Revolution  

Single – Unpopular 

Release date 14^th August 

Review by Linda McDermott  

Have you heard of the rock band Skillet? If you are in the UK, maybe not, but if you’re in the USA you most definitely should have. For those not in the know, then you are missing out on a great rock band, and I am about to tell you why you should find out more about them. 

Let’s start with a few facts about the band. As of 2024, the band have received two-time GRAMMY® Award nominations, picked up a Billboard Music Award, and landed three albums in the Top 5 of the Billboard 200. Selling over 22 million units worldwide, they have notched multiplatinum, platinum, or gold RIAA certifications for a total of 12 singles and four full-length albums. Not to mention, they have regularly attracted 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify, boasting “one of the most-streamed rock songs of all-time” with the 5x-platinum “Monster.” As a live force of nature, they have touched down on four continents and 26 countries, packing arenas everywhere from the Middle East to Russia.  

They are: 

John Cooper – lead vocals, bass 

Korey Cooper – guitar, keys 

Jen Ledger – drums, vocals 

Seth Morrison – lead guitar 

Skillet are set to deliver an infectious, and inimitable body of work with their upcoming first independent album in the shape of ‘Revolution’ which is due for release on the 1^st of November. Ahead of this they have released the first single from it called ‘Unpopular.’ 

“’Unpopular‘ is lighthearted, but there’s a clear message,” says lead singer John Cooper. “So many people don’t have a place to belong. You used to know your neighbours. Our communities are online now, which contributes to the loneliness. You have powerful people telling you what reality is, what you should eat, what you should drive, and how you should live. They deem us ‘unpopular.’ In reality, we agree more than we disagree as a society. The majority of people just want to be free, and they don’t really care whether or not you agree with them about everything.” 

So, what about this track? Well, the song starts with a slow, atmospheric buildup, layering harmonies that gradually draw the listener in. The tension builds, creating a sense of anticipation as it unleashes its energetic rhythm and the harmonies deepen, leading seamlessly into a powerful, anthemic chorus. The chorus bursts with energy, inviting listeners to sing along to its catchy melody that drives the song forward.  

With a classic rock sound, the beat is infectious, making you nod your head and tap your foot almost instinctively. The raw guitars, pounding drums, and bold vocals capture the essence of great rock music, while the song’s dynamics keep you engaged. It swells as it progresses, each section adding more intensity and layering to the overall experience.  

Just as it seems to reach its peak, the song ends suddenly, leaving you both satisfied and wanting more at the same time. It’s a rollercoaster of energy, reminding you of how rock should feel, and I love it! 

With such a great track as the first single from the forth coming album, I’m very excited to hear what they are about to deliver with ‘Revolution.’ 

Check out the video for the single on the link below. 

Video 

Unpopular  

Speaking about the up-and-coming album the band say “Thematically, there’s so much nihilism in our culture. Depression and teen suicide are at epidemic levels. We’re revolting against a culture that creates nihilism, nothingness, and materialism. The album is poignant, but it’s also very confident and inclusive as well,” he continues. “It’s a record saying, ‘We have to be willing to stand up for what we believe in—even if it might be unpopular in some circles, but hey, maybe we could have a revolution of love, you know, a revolution of understanding, of tolerance towards people that we don’t agree with and come back to some human dignity and respecting peoples rights and where they’re coming from. And so, it’s kind of speaking to the division and the polarisation that is happening, which I think is a really good message and what the whole ‘revolution’ thing is all about. We allude to it on the record cover where there’s a Skillet flag, and in the corner, it lists I Corinthians, 13:13, a verse that says, “Hold onto these things: faith, hope, love. But the greatest is love.”   

Ready to play their new music for their fans, Skillet recently announced that they will hit the road this autumn with another best-selling rock bands of the 21st century, Seether. This will be followed by their first-ever tour of the Middle East in November, and for those of us in the UK, Skillet will be supporting Black Stone Cherry (see below for details). 

You can also head over to Skillet.com for more details on their whole tour. 

Skillet UK shows  

November  

17^th  Cardiff Utilita Arena Cardiff  

18^th  Birmingham Resorts World Arena 

20^th  Glasgow  OVO Hydro 

22^nd  Manchester  AO Arena  

23^rd London OVO Arena  

Hopefully, this is enough to get your juices flowing and have you checking out their back catalogue of music while you wait for the new album to land. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. 

You can pre-order the album on vinyl, CD and digital formats at https://skillet.komi.io/ 

SKILLET have also launched a brand-new app https://www.theskilletapp.com/ which will give fans early access to tickets, exclusive content, message boards and more. 

FOLLOW SKILLET: 
 
Website / Facebook / X / Instagram / YouTube / Spotify / TikTok / Apple Music /