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| ><> CMR Album Review <>< |
Comatose
[Release Date: October 3, 2006] (INO Records)
Track Listing
1. Rebirthing [Listen]
2. The Last Night [Listen]
3. Yours To Hold
4. Better Than Drugs
5. Comatose
6. The Older I Get
7. Those Nights
8. Falling Inside The Black
1. Rebirthing [Listen]
2. The Last Night [Listen]
3. Yours To Hold
4. Better Than Drugs
5. Comatose
6. The Older I Get
7. Those Nights
8. Falling Inside The Black
| ><> Review Written By: Jay Heilman (jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org) <>< ><> Date Written: September 26, 2006 <>< |
| [ Main Review ] |
| [ Writer's Closing Thoughts ] |
| Coming Soon! |
Skillet returns with their first studio album in over three years, and fans will not be
disappointed with the latest offering from the Christian rockers, entitled 'Comatose'. The
title comes from, according to lead singer and bassist, John Cooper, as a wake-up call to
Christians who lay in a 'comatose' state instead of out preaching the name of Christ. I hate
to say it, but if your not awake by the end of this record, you are either A) Deaf or B) Dead.
There's no way you can miss this one! I really felt that 'Comatose' was a step up in many
ways for Skillet.
The group, who is known for reinventing their sound each album, has rightfully so done the
same with this new one. 'Collide' was a great album, but there were a lot of things I didn't
like about it. I thought number one, the guitars drowned out the songs and made a lot
them hard to hear. That's where 'Comatose' differed from 'Collide'. New styles were
added to this one, almost offering a kind of classical vibe to it. When you hear the first
single, "Rebirthing", you'll know what I'm talking about. Starting out with a classic orchestra-
sound, and then hitting into what makes Skillet Skillet, the heavy guitars and booming
bass. One of the first songs that I caught a hold of me on this record that really spoke out,
and in my opinion could be a powerful and ministering song to those who have been
extremely depressed and even suicidal, is "Last Night". The song talks about coping and
overcoming suicidal thoughts, saying Jesus is there for you. You don't have to be alone.
You just have to muster up the strength to ask Him for help. The bottom-line, know that
your not alone.
John and his wife Korey, who also plays keys, has a great duet on this song. "Better Than
Drugs" is another song that talks about addiction and how the Lord can become better
then the drugs (or alcohol or whatever your sinful vice in life may be). True to say, yes,
God is definitely better then having a life controlled by addiction.
The title track "Comatose" really dives into what the album is out to say. We as Christians
need to be out there in the world preaching the Gospel to every living creature (See Mark
16:15), and that we need to 'wake up' from our world-induced coma and do what we were
born to do, and that's to serve God and help build His Kingdom. A lot of people won't know
that Jesus is waiting for them unless we (Christians) do something about it! A song that
seem to hit home with me, especially my life prior to Salvation was "Falling Inside The
Black". I had fought so many devils over the years, and until 2003 I had fallen into the
world, everything around me black. I used to love the Metallica song "Fade To Black", and
as hard as it was to admit, my own world had faded to black. Nothing went right, and only
the saving grace and forgiveness I found from God through Christ, could give that hope of
a bright tomorrow. Jesus said in John 8:12 "I am the light of the world, he that followeth
me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life". Amen to that.
"Say Goodbye" is a song that will probably have you thinking about loved ones who have
gone onto be with the Lord. In my case, it's sad to say, but those final goodbyes were
really that. Final. I know a lot of my family who have passed away, are not in Heaven with
our Lord, but in hell. It's sad for me to even think that, but it's true. But for those of you
who have family who accepted Christ, don't say goodbye, we'll soon be together again.
"Say Goodbye" would be a good song to put on a Christian rock anthem CD.
The last song that really caught my ear was "Whispers In The Dark". Besides having a
powerful message, this song really displays the God-given talents of guitarist, Ben Kasica.
Man this kid can play! I thought I was listening to Kirk Hammett there for a minute. Yes,
Ben is that good! All of the guitars on the album were exciting to listen to. Oh, and before
I forget, I have mentioned John, Ben & Korey, but I have not mentioned Skillet drummer,
Lori Peters. She rocks! God bless!
disappointed with the latest offering from the Christian rockers, entitled 'Comatose'. The
title comes from, according to lead singer and bassist, John Cooper, as a wake-up call to
Christians who lay in a 'comatose' state instead of out preaching the name of Christ. I hate
to say it, but if your not awake by the end of this record, you are either A) Deaf or B) Dead.
There's no way you can miss this one! I really felt that 'Comatose' was a step up in many
ways for Skillet.
The group, who is known for reinventing their sound each album, has rightfully so done the
same with this new one. 'Collide' was a great album, but there were a lot of things I didn't
like about it. I thought number one, the guitars drowned out the songs and made a lot
them hard to hear. That's where 'Comatose' differed from 'Collide'. New styles were
added to this one, almost offering a kind of classical vibe to it. When you hear the first
single, "Rebirthing", you'll know what I'm talking about. Starting out with a classic orchestra-
sound, and then hitting into what makes Skillet Skillet, the heavy guitars and booming
bass. One of the first songs that I caught a hold of me on this record that really spoke out,
and in my opinion could be a powerful and ministering song to those who have been
extremely depressed and even suicidal, is "Last Night". The song talks about coping and
overcoming suicidal thoughts, saying Jesus is there for you. You don't have to be alone.
You just have to muster up the strength to ask Him for help. The bottom-line, know that
your not alone.
John and his wife Korey, who also plays keys, has a great duet on this song. "Better Than
Drugs" is another song that talks about addiction and how the Lord can become better
then the drugs (or alcohol or whatever your sinful vice in life may be). True to say, yes,
God is definitely better then having a life controlled by addiction.
The title track "Comatose" really dives into what the album is out to say. We as Christians
need to be out there in the world preaching the Gospel to every living creature (See Mark
16:15), and that we need to 'wake up' from our world-induced coma and do what we were
born to do, and that's to serve God and help build His Kingdom. A lot of people won't know
that Jesus is waiting for them unless we (Christians) do something about it! A song that
seem to hit home with me, especially my life prior to Salvation was "Falling Inside The
Black". I had fought so many devils over the years, and until 2003 I had fallen into the
world, everything around me black. I used to love the Metallica song "Fade To Black", and
as hard as it was to admit, my own world had faded to black. Nothing went right, and only
the saving grace and forgiveness I found from God through Christ, could give that hope of
a bright tomorrow. Jesus said in John 8:12 "I am the light of the world, he that followeth
me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life". Amen to that.
"Say Goodbye" is a song that will probably have you thinking about loved ones who have
gone onto be with the Lord. In my case, it's sad to say, but those final goodbyes were
really that. Final. I know a lot of my family who have passed away, are not in Heaven with
our Lord, but in hell. It's sad for me to even think that, but it's true. But for those of you
who have family who accepted Christ, don't say goodbye, we'll soon be together again.
"Say Goodbye" would be a good song to put on a Christian rock anthem CD.
The last song that really caught my ear was "Whispers In The Dark". Besides having a
powerful message, this song really displays the God-given talents of guitarist, Ben Kasica.
Man this kid can play! I thought I was listening to Kirk Hammett there for a minute. Yes,
Ben is that good! All of the guitars on the album were exciting to listen to. Oh, and before
I forget, I have mentioned John, Ben & Korey, but I have not mentioned Skillet drummer,
Lori Peters. She rocks! God bless!
9. Say Goodbye
10. Whispers In The Dark
11. Looking For Angels
| 3.5 |
| 3.0 |
| 2.0 |
| 1.0 |
| 9.5 |
| 95% A |
| Bottom line, this was a great album, both message and music-wise. Skillet takes a step forward and delivers a truly exciting, rocking and energetic album worth going out and picking up. |
