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| WRITTEN BY: Jay Heilman (jay.heilman@christianmusicreview.org) DATE: September 26, 2006 |
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!
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. 4 1/2 Stars.
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!
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. 4 1/2 Stars.
| Skillet |
| ALBUM TITLE: 'Comatose' RELEASE DATE: October 3, 2006 RECORD LABEL: Atlantic Records TRACK LISTING: 1. Rebirthing 2. Last Night 3. Yours To Hold 4. Better Than Drugs 5. Comatose 6. Older I Get 7. Those Nights 8. Falling Inside The Black 9. Say Goodbye 10. Whispers In The Dark 11. Looking For Angels |
| ALBUM INFORMATION |
____________________________________________________
| THE REVIEW |
STAR RATING:
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1/2