Review By Dave Martin
Released by: Hear It Loud
Release Date: November 1st, 2024
Genre: Heavy Rock
Links: https://www.skillet.com/
For the last 16 years Skillet has been characterised by their trademark sound that fully leans into the contrast in vocals between Cooper’s gravely tones and the harmonies that are supplied by drummer Ledger. It was this contrast that first drew me in with tracks such as “Hero” and “Monster” from the album “Awake”. This album is no different in this regard and this is apparent from the first track “Showtime” where the interplay between the two vocalists is in full effect. Supported by a catchy guitar riff and the bands usual pushed tempo.
Second track “Unpopular” was the first track released in advance of the full album release at the start of November. The track is a fuzz infused rock classic that addresses the communal issue of belonging. When discussing the song vocalist Cooper explains “‘Unpopular’ is light-hearted, but there’s a clear message, 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.”
The band has never been afraid of addressing social concerns and this is no different in this release where the group’s lyrics discuss a variety of topics from war and fighting in “All that Matters” or social responsibility of supporting those with mental health issues in “Defector”.
Fourth track “Not afraid” has a slightly metal sound with Coopers vocals being heavier in sections than normal and an urgency to the message being felt due to the guitar and drum work. This is in contrast with tracks such as “Happy Wedding Day”. In a break from the more traditional Skillet style, “Happy Wedding Day (Alex’s Song)” is a raw, expressive acoustic number that is a variation on the rest of the album with an emotional story about parents’ relationship with their daughter and how time moves so quickly and children grow up too fast and the feel of regret of not cherishing the moment.
“Revolution” is the first album to be released by the group with their new label Hear it Loud having worked with Atlantic records for the previous 20 years. “We made records on the same label for 20 years, and it was a great experience,” explains Cooper. “Since this was the first independent record, it put some pep in my step, so to speak. We did exactly what we wanted to do. If I was on the road and felt inspired to write, I just did. In the past, we’d make a bunch of ideas and whittle everything down for the album. This time, we only wrote and recorded 10 tracks, but it was all we needed. Musically, there are a lot of flavours on the record. It’s got the arena songs, but it also has some tunes that are more nostalgic and throwback Skillet.”
Skillet are embarking on tour this autumn supporting bands including Blackstone Cherry in the UK and Seether (who also have a new album) in the US as well as the Middle East and Europe.
Line Up:
John Cooper (lead vocals, bass)
Korey Cooper (rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals)
Jen Ledger (drums, co-lead vocals)
Seth Morrison (lead guitar)
Tracklist:
Showtime
Not Afraid.
Revolution.
Ash In the Wind.
Fire Inside of Me
Defector
Happy Wedding Day (Alex’s Song)
Death Defier
OCT 05 Skillet + Seether Fall Tour Houston, TX
OCT 06 Skillet + Seether Fall Tour Grand Prairie, TX
OCT 08 Skillet + Seether Fall Tour Lubbock, TX
OCT 09 Skillet + Seether Fall Tour Albuquerque, NM
OCT 11 Skillet + Seether Fall Tour Mesa, AZ
OCT 12 The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
OCT 13 Aftershock 2024 Sacramento, CA
OCT 15 Skillet + Seether Fall Tour Denver, CO
OCT 18 Skillet + Seether Fall Tour La Vista, NE
OCT 19 Skillet + Seether Fall Tour Des Moines, IA
OCT 20 Skillet + Seether Fall Tour Minneapolis, MN
NOV 04 International Tour Istanbul, Turkey
NOV 06 International Tour Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
NOV 07 International Tour Almaty, Kazakhstan
NOV 09 International Tour Tbilisi, Georgia
NOV 11International Tour Pyrgos, Cyprus
NOV 12International Tour Athina, Greece
NOV 14 International Tour Dubai, United Arab Emirates
NOV 17 Screamin At The Sky UK Tour – Supporting Black Stone Cherry Cardiff, United Kingdom
NOV 18 Screamin At The Sky UK Tour – Supporting Black Stone Cherry Birmingham, United Kingdom
NOV 20 Screamin At The Sky UK Tour – Supporting Black Stone Cherry Glasgow, United Kingdom
NOV 22 Screamin At The Sky UK Tour – Supporting Black Stone Cherry Manchester, United Kingdom
NOV 23 Screamin At The Sky UK Tour – Supporting Black Stone Cherry London, United Kingdom
DEC 27 Xtreme Conference Gatlinburg, TN
DEC 28 Xtreme Conference Branson, MO
DEC 30 Xtreme Conference Gatlinburg, TN
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