ARTIST: Skillet
ALBUM: Awake
LABEL: Lava Records
RELEASE DATE: August 25, 2009
The Proof is in the #’s
Written by John Rabb
Released August 25th by Lava Records, Awake marks Skillet’s eighth album and follow-up to their 2006 Grammy nominated Comatose. Awake debuted on the Billboard 200 at #2, and convincingly captures the raw energy and multi-textured sonic landscape for which the band has become known. A combination of jarring chords, builds, and memorable vocal interpretation coalesce in Awake to form a progressive, modern rock sound. The band’s popular appeal and straightforward message have earned Skillet a massive fan base and seven #1 songs.
In many ways, Skillet’s new offering is a lot like their last record, featuring strings, guitars, and a deceptively hard edge. The band itself describes the album as having “… 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.”
The overall feel of Awake speaks to just how much the group has matured as a band since their last album. While all the tracks on the record sound like Skillet, the songs themselves don’t necessarily sound like each other. This technique makes for an exceptionally balanced, polished, and produced collection of songs that work really well together.
The first released single “Hero” is a signature Skillet tune, as well as one of the more commercially viable tracks on the record, while “Monster” has a harder sound and darker feel than what fans may be used to. It is precisely this harder edge, however, that keeps the album from falling into the signature sound trap. The title track “Awake and Alive” is thematically reminiscent of the Comatose album, with lyrics like “I’m at war with the world cause I ain’t never gonna sell my soul. I already made up my mind no matter what I can’t be bought or sold!”
Throughout their career, Skillet has experimented with a number of different sounds and styles including industrial, symphonic, and (now) hard rock. Awake has a definite pop appeal to it, almost as if the band took everything from modern radio rock, put it in a blender together, and shook it up. So if you’re a fan of pop rock, you’re going to love this one.
Skillet is currently promoting their new album on their Awake and Alive Tour, playing with The Letter Black, Decyfer Down, and Hawk Nelson.