skillet | Join the Mob

Skillet

Album "Comatose" Available Everywhere

Image gallery

LOCATION

Kenosha, WI

GENRE

Rock

MY LINKS

MySpace

Website

MY IMS

Skillet

“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. 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.”

Similar artists