You would be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated, passionate band than Skillet. At this point among modern Hard Rock’s elite, this Tennessee-based band has been going strong since 1996. A lesser-known reality to some, while many other bands have dissolved since Skillet has continued. Growing and expanding their sound, they went from relatively obscure with their 1996 self-titled to 2001’s Alien Youth, to more recognition starting with 2003’s Collide, leading into an explosion of mainstream success for 2006’s Comatose, onto 2009’s Rise.
Known for their thoughtful, uplifting style of Heavy Rock which speaks of trials, tribulations, and not letting life bring you to your knees, some may say Skillet is the perfect antidote for depression. Of course not a magic wade, there is no denying the healing power of songs that galvanize an emotion that says – you have been down, you have made mistakes, but you should never give up. This is exactly what Skillet provides with stadium-like anthems like 2006’s “Whispers in the Dark,” 2009’s “Hero,” 2013’s “Rise,” and 2016’s “Feel Invincible,” to name a few. Consistently keeping this high energy into 2022’s Dominion, now in 2024 they look to crack up the volume once more with Revolution.
The band’s twelfth overall studio record, Revolution arrives on Friday, November 1st, and marks their first to be released independently. A big surprise, considering Skillet (Vocalist/Bassist John Cooper, Guitarist Korey Cooper, Lead Guitarist Seth Morrison, and Drummer Jen Ledger) has been Grammy-nominated, sold more than 22 million albums, and attained 24 billion global streams to date, if anything, it shows that sometimes going out on your own is a good idea. Something that can be intimidating and scary, others like Thousand Foot Krutch cut the cord with record labels in the past, and are no worse off because of it. With this all considered, it may be coincidental that Revolution arrives a week before arguably one of the biggest presidential elections in American history, but judging by the title, it could not. Really up to the individual listeners to develop their own conclusion, the best way to describe Skillet’s Revolution is a final battle cry for the greater good of humanity.
Yes, we all have different opinions and ideas of what is the best way to move forward, but an album like Revolution reminds us that we are all in this together. No longer should we allow outside entities such as mainstream media or apathetic politicians to pin us against one another, but instead should recognize that perhaps we are pawns in a game. The bottom line is that Revolution is an album full of songs imploring you to not be ashamed or compromise yourself for the sake of current societal trends. It is a collection of songs pouring over with poignant lyrics that encourage self-respect, and defiance in the face of adversity, but all while staying grounded in reality.
A total of ten songs, it hits you like a shot of icy cold water to the face right from the start of “Showtime,” reminds you it is alright to go against the stream with “Unpopular,” and rallies you to be fearless even in darkness on “Not Afraid.” Some truly powerful tracks, a similar sentiment continues with “Fire Inside of Me,” and “Death Defier.”
While each of these mentioned are very chant-along anthems, others like ”All That Matters” deliver further stronger messaging differently. However, tucked away at the back end of the record is the absolutely beautiful “Happy Wedding Day (Alex’s Song).” A very personal track written about John and Korey Cooper’s daughter who was recently married; it has a universal emotion to any parent out there who has watched their child grow up and only wishes they had more time with them when they were younger. Unique to the rest of Revolution, it still fits, because inevitably the theme here is to not waste time on trivial things, but realize the most valuable currency of all is time.
Overall, Skillet delivers one of their most inspired albums in years. Coming from a very real place, it has feelings everyone can relate to in a time when each of us is uncertain about tomorrow. If anything showing us that there is commonality is not too far away… it is nice to know you are not alone. Hard Rock is as spirit-lifting as ever, Cryptic Rock gives Revolution 4.5 out of 5 stars.
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