Skillet
Comatose

Atlantic Records, October 2006
Genre: rock/hardrock
Official site: www.skillet.com
Rating: 4 out of 5

Hot on the heels of 2003’s best-seller COLLIDE, which launched Skillet meteorically into the mainstream with the hit single 'Savior', touring with Three Days Grace, Saliva, Shinedown, and 12 Stones, plus a prestigious nomination at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, Atlantic/Lava and Ardent/SRE will unleash the new album COMATOSE on October 3rd, 2006.  'We’ve been proud of where we’ve been in the past, but I feel like this is our strongest record,' notes vocalist/bassist John Cooper, citing the band’s recent completion of the COMATOSE sessions at Chicago Recording Company (Smashing Pumpkins, Michael Jackson, R. Kelly) with producer Brian Howes (from famed Canadian TVT band Closure and Hinder’s hit CD) and mix maestro’s Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, Hoobastank, Bon Jovi, P.O.D.) and David Bottrill (Tool, Staind). 'There are so many different influences where it won’t just be about rock audiences or metal audiences. I think there’s something here for everybody and it’s our most mass appeal record.' (bio)

Musically
The album starts with epic proportion and truly is a "Rebirthing." Anyone that has followed Skillet over the years knows they are an ever-changing band but the last several years the members have stayed consistent and the music has matured. I think this is a clear sign that Skillet has grown out of the industrial stage and come into their own, which is actually where they started. "The Last Night" has an amazing emotional feel and a picked up pace with great hooks in the chorus. The keyboard influence is great and adds depth to the track. "Yours To Hold" is a great rock ballad with some acoustic influence. The band is really using the choruses well to draw in many types of fans from more pop rock influence to harder fans. "Better Than Drugs" starts to kick it in with some great gritty guitars to pull you in.  The track was very appealing as the tempos changed and the focus of the music fit perfectly with the lyrical concept and passion. "Comatose" kicks in with an Evanescence-esque presence. This song as others on the album has an amazing chorus.  The track has everything, great guitar hooks, hard driving bass lines , great keyboards and drumming that pulls it all together. These catchy choruses will surely shoot this album to their best selling album yet.  The musicianship is advancing at a great pace with these four remaining a perfect blend for Skillet.   "The Older I Get" and "Falling into Black" both have the great pace switches. "Whispers" has an incredible guitar solo that brought a smile to my face.  You just don't hear breakouts like that anymore. 

Lyrically/Vocally
As far as lyrics go, Cooper’s songwriting has expanded to cover a wide range of topics, some spiritual and faith based, while others act as more of a mirror for his own personal life and struggles. “The Last Night” talks about someone considering suicide after living life in despair and not having support from their parents. A friend reminds him/her of God’s unconditional love and they’re eventually talked down from that ledge. “The Older I Get,” is even closer to home, as it picks up after his mom passed away, covering the rocky relationship he had with his dad and the eventual forgiveness they reached. Cooper hopes the album will strike a chord on all levels with listeners. To the church specifically, "it’s a reminder that life’s focus needs to be reaching out to others while stepping aside from denominational squabbles, self-absorption, and even negative technological influences. (bio)
The lyrics are another changing focus of Skillet. Please don't take this as negative but the songs aren't as 'Christianese' as they used to be.  Meaning you won't hear any coined Christian terminology but yet the presence of the message is still there and applicable.  Skillet like many bands is becoming more relevant to a lost world and willing to change some things in the process. Cooper is not afraid to take on a myriad of topics that will hit both Christians and non right between the eyes. 
Cooper is top-notch with his extreme grit filled voice. He truly has one of the most unique voices in music today.  When you here a Skillet song you know it is them because of Cooper's vocals.

This is going to be known as one of Skillet's most popular and mature albums ever.