Skillet Announces Death Metal Album Of Classic Hymns
After viral success of "Emmanuel," band takes on "How Great Thou Art" and more
Posted: April 01, 2026, 5:00 PM | Category:New Releases Artist Tags: Skillet Source: NRT Staff Reports
Skillet is once again pushing the boundaries of Christian music–this time by diving headfirst into one of its most untouchable traditions: the church hymn.
Following the viral response to their heavy rendition of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" this past Christmas, the band has announced plans for a full-length death metal album of classic hymns, a move they're calling "the next logical step."
The announcement comes after months of online debate over a question few expected to be taken seriously:
Should Christmas music be metal?
While many fans responded with an enthusiastic "yes," others expressed concern over what one commenter described as "the complete and total annihilation of sacred arrangements."
Now, Skillet appears ready to lean all the way in.
"Hymns are historically preserved," said frontman John Cooper. "People get a little bent out of shape when you change a key, tweak a lyric, or even shift a chord. So, yeah. We're expecting a bit of a reaction."
Early previews of the project suggest the band is not holding back.
A partial tracklist includes:
1. "How Great Thou AAAARRRRERRTTTTTTTT (Low Growl Edition)"
2. "Amazingly Loud Grace"
3. "Turn Your Rock Fists Upon Jesus"
4. "It Is Well (With My Unbreakable Soul)"
5. "What A Hero We Have In Jesus"
6. "There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood"
Sources close to the band say the album will feature "extended scream sections," "unexpected blast beats," and at least one hymn that "no longer resembles its original melody in any identifiable way."
Reaction from longtime churchgoers has been swift.
At press time, multiple grandmothers–and what officials described as "a highly organized group of church ladies"–were reportedly planning a coordinated walkout during Thursday night bingo in protest of the release.
