One of Christian music’s top-selling rock bands, GRAMMY®-nominated Skillet returns with its latest recording capturing the raw energy and multi-textured sonic landscape for which they have become known. A mixture of dissonant chords, anthemic builds and memorable vocal interpretation combine to form a progressive, yet classic rock-influenced sound that’s all their own. Skillet’s straightforward message and innovative sound has garnered the band seven #1 songs and an avid fan base.
Experience pounding, classically influenced rock with a progressive edge, colored by dissonant chords, and gutsy vocals on the latest release from Skillet, best known for hits including “Savior.” Relevant, innovative and unforgettable, Skillet continues its tradition of a straightforward, in-your-face gospel message of hope.
Click here to add a video. Click to add lyrics if not listed.
Christian Music Is Finally Awake!| Posted April 24, 2010
Skillet's latest album, "Awake", packs the punch of 1,000 freight trains and yet also beholds the beauty of incredible CCM music at it's best! Along with this CD being the most anticipated album of their entire career, their fanbase, Panheads, has had a major increase in members. The CD itself has crisp, intense instruments along with the soaring, snarling voice of frontman John Cooper. The addition of the beautiful Jen Ledger as drummer and backup singer has gotten Skillet even more won with her angelic, sweet voice that also has a sound of urgency and power.
The beginning track, "Hero", shoots the CD off with a hip-hopish sound to it with fast, almost rappy vocals, but with chugging guitars and frantic drums. Their second track and also second single, "Monster", is definitely their darker song on the album but also gives people a chance to look inside of themselves and see the monster that they want gone in their life. It is also one of the hardest songs they have ever made, which may turn some people off to it.
"Don't Wake Me" brightens up the disc with a lovely power ballad which talks about the times when love really hurts, but we can all overcome that. The incredible and demanding "Awake and Alive" uses the beautiful vocals of Jen Ledger again and is a declaration of faith, saying that as Christians, we must stand up for our faith and stay strong through the hard times. The strings give a Comotose-ish glare to the song, but still does not fail what-so-ever.
"One Day Too Late" again shoots off the power ballad with a thoughtful song that sings about making a difference to the world as well as, in a way, evangelism. The power ballads fade away with the militant "It's Not Me It's You", which is an angry song about people who try to put you down for your beliefs, such as Christ or the way you dress. Another quite hard song that may give some people a dark feeling, but looking at it all around, it is a strong declaration of faith as well.
The poppy and, in a way, sassy "Should've When You Could've" is about relationships and how holding on once broken up has bad effects. Although it has a very exciting beat to it, the lyrics tend to be a little bit stangely rhymed. "Believe" again is about relationships and how drama gets in the way, but there is always a time to start over. The acoustic mixed with the electric really sounds awesome.
A much more happy and worshipful song, "Forgiven" deals with sinning and how no matter how many sings you have committed, God still loves you and he will forgive you if you repent. The instruments jam this song with a great piano intro with strings. The opposite of "Forgiven", "Sometimes" deals with the dark side that all of us have that we sometimes let win. It is, from the first note on, a dark song but is very realistic and is incredibly truthful. The line that might get families a little questioned, "I want someone to hurt like the way I hurt. It's sick, but it makes me feel better" serves a purpose, for it shows the angry side trying to overtake him. Songs aren't always made to be happy, but to serve a purpose.
"Never Surrender", a very hopeful song but also deals with hurt and trying to fit in, shows that someone is always there for you, whether it is the Lord Jesus Christ or someone you just want to talk to. The intro gives off some beautiful qualities Skillet has mastered, with a moving violin introduction, but then a drum solo adds in the guitars and bass. The final song, "Lucy", is a heart-wrenching piece which talks about the loss of a loved one, but trying to cope with it. It also deals with getting a second chance for a brand new start. It is beautiful, happy, and sure to get people crying in a heartbeat.
In conclusion, the fantastic album, "Awake", shows off many different genres, ranging fom head-banging hard rock to slow, moving pieces for all emotional people. Anyone who loves "Comotose" NEEDS to get "Awake". These rockers have matured in Christ over the years heavily and show it. I'm awake, I'm alive!
Love it!| Posted April 18, 2010
I was so looking forward for Skillet to put out another album. They did not disappoint me at all. This album is amazing! I love the fact that Jen gets to sing in "Awake and Alive" and "Hero". She has an amazing voice!
Waking Up to a New Sound :D| Posted April 02, 2010
Skillet's lastest CD "Awake" is an amazing CD. With catchy track such as "Monster," the CD instantly causes a love for it. They keep their rock tone clear with catchy and effective lyrics like always. Skillet continues to amaze and astound through this new CD.
[=| Posted March 22, 2010
This was a really amazing album. I loved every song on it. I saw them last Winter on tour and they were amazing also (: I can't wait to see what they come out with next....
An expected non-progression| Posted February 22, 2010
Skillet has always been a band of experimentation. If you listened to their debut, Alien Youth, Collide, and Comatose side by side, it would be hard to identify them all as by the same artist. Skillet has always been a band that changed and kept fans guessing... okay not true... Skillet has always up until now kept their fans guessing.
Skillet's lead-off singles ("Hero" to Christian radio and "Monster" to secular radio) demonstrated basically what the entire album turned out to become. "Hero" maintained the "Comatose" feel of heavy guitar riffs, strong lead male vocals, and a harsh female voice. "Monster" seemed like a fusion of "Collide" and "Comatose," with a slightly more "grungy" feel to it. "Awake" pretty much stays like that for the entire album, breaking only for slight variances from past projects (such as the intro to "Never Surrender")
Skillet demonstrates strong lyrical content as always, demonstrating why they are as popular now as ever... except for two HUGE stumbles. The greatest is their song "It's Not Me, It's You." It seems as if Skillet is trying to get younger teens to enjoy their music. The lyrics are cheesy at best and horrible at worst. While this song is an excellent concert song and a real adrenaline- boost, we all know Skillet can do much better. A smaller, but still annoying "mistake" is the bridge of "Forgiven." It says "I get down on my knees/Feel your love wash over me." Sound familiar? It is to any old-school Skillet fan. The bridge of one of my favorite Skillet songs ever - "One Real Thing" off of their "Alien Youth" project - says "I get down on my knees and I feel your love wash over me." Again, Skillet can do much better.
Now I've spent this entire review beating on "Awake." Yet, I still cannot get enough of this CD. Yes it's cheesy at times, yes it's like a carbon copy of "Comatose" with a little "Collide" thrown in, but that combination is what made Skillet popular. And that is the Skillet we all love. Skillet has encountered a winning formula. Their blend of violins and electronic rock and hard rock is incredible and a joy to listen to. As Skillet becomes a mainstream artist, it does make sense that they release an album similar to their previous efforts to let new fans know exactly who they are. And they do a tremendous job. I just hope they are able to change it up a little bit in the next album.
So... bottom line: buy it unless you hated "Comatose." This album is a must have for any Skillet fan, hard rock fan, and is also a great ministry tool (imagine giving a friend "Awake" - a fairly mainstream CD.... then giving them "Alien Youth..." an almost hard-rock worship CD...)... so an excellent CD, Skillet. Just please surprise me next time :D
Skillet Awakes after a long Comatose| Posted February 09, 2010
It's been a long time since Skillet moved past Comatose. "Awake" surely won't disappoint fans.
The opening singles are "Hero" and "Monster". I personally prefer the former, but there are better songs throughout the album.
"Don't Wake Me" is a romantic song. It's a beautiful slowdown after the first two energetic tracks. The beat returns once again with "Awake and Alive".
"Should've When You Could've" and "Believe" are weaker tracks. The former should almost definetively be skipped, and the latter isn't too promising.
"It's Not Me, It's You" and "Sometimes" have an angry mood. They are good songs to listen to when the going gets tought.
The track "Forgiven" is my favourite. It can be interpreted in so many ways: either is it a romantic relationship, or one with God, or another, it's up to the listener to decide.
The second-last track, "Never Surrender", is very powerful. Both the music and lyrics reflect a cry for help in a desperate situation.
The fifth track, "One Day Too Late", and the final track, "Lucy", are powerful reminders to watch our actions and words and to live every second of life.
Overall, "Awake" is worth downloading. Owning the physical album, however, offers no advantage over the physical album. I still haven't listened to the two Deluxe tracks, "Dead Inside" and "Would It Matter".
Love Skillet but they aren't my favorite| Posted January 26, 2010
This definitely isn't my favorite CD ever. I personally am a huge fan of RED. :) This is a great CD compared to some of Skillet's older stuff, sorry I'm just not a fan of Skillet's WAY old stuff. They seem to be making a come back, so props to them. I only have 3 songs I LOVE on the album, but I don't listen to it regurally either. Overall I would suggest it to others though. :)
Skillet is amazing!| Posted January 26, 2010
Wow! That is all I can say about this new album. Skillet has done it again. They had some high expectations to meet when their previous cd Comatose was released. But I have to hand it to them, Awake is one of their best cds. Jen Ledger, their new drummer, is amazing. She even sings on the new record! I have been a Skillet fan for a long time and every time they release a cd I love their music more and more. Their music on the album Awake is very relative to a lot of real life situations and it has a positive message. Skillet rocks!
Impressive follow up| Posted January 18, 2010
Upon the release of "Awake" Skillet took the music world by storm! Not only charting number one hits on Christian charts but also showing an impressive charting on mainstream. The latest album was one that had been anticipated for three years and had high expectations because of their previous album "Comatose" that been their best to date,music wise and reception wise, and Awake surely delivered. Debuting at #2 (tying the record) Awake gain raved reception and produced hits right off the bat.Songs including "Hero", "Monster" and "Awake and Alive" climbed charts and were picked up for themes to WWE pay per views,video games,and even soap operas.
Awake was one of the top albums of 2009 as well as the past decade,I highly recommend it.
FAVORITE!!| Posted December 19, 2009
this CD is awesome!!!!! they are my favorite band!!! my favorite songs on this CD are Hero and Monster. This CD is a must buy and they are a must see in concert!
to add lyrics if not listed.
