Believers Come Alive, Speak Out
By Andy Argyrakis, senior music editor, GospelMusicChannel.com
Skillet Comes Alive
With more than 400,000 copies sold of its 2006 CD Comatose, five back-to-back number-one Christian radio singles and three secular top 40 hits from the project, plus tours with Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace and Flyleaf, Skillet is unquestionably on top of the rock world these days. Though the metallic alternative act is ramping up for a studio release sometime in 2009, the current album craze continues via the brand-new concert CD/DVD set Comatose Comes Alive (Atlantic/Ardent/INO).
“First of all, I was really nervous because I’ve seen a lot of bad and boring concert DVDs,” admits frontman John Cooper from his home in Wisconsin. “But in the end we’re super happy with all of it – the editing, the special effects – I think it’s all pretty excellent. There was quite a lot in the way of production and lighting, being a child of the ’80s, and I think the music lends itself to that type of dynamic. It’s more emotional than your typical rock show with some moments that are down, but then build with timing, tension and emotion.”
Outside of astounding production (complete with a string section at times) and all of the key cuts from Comatose (plus a few golden alternative oldies), the DVD also includes videos for the smash hits “Rebirthing,” “Whispers In the Dark,” “The Older I Get” and “Savior.” The audio soundtrack is also a perfect companion piece for the car or iPod, also boasting loads of extras like several acoustic songs and the b-side “Live Free or Let Me Die.”
“Some of those bonuses were on the deluxe edition of the Comatose CD, but that was a limited edition project, and as far as I know, you can’t get those anymore,” Cooper contends of that added treasure trove. “What makes me mad is when bands just repackage the same old title and force you to buy something again. We figured that if people are buying the live DVD, we might as well throw the other stuff on there as well since it’s becoming hard to find.”
Even with the excitement of Skillet’s “Panhead” fan base surrounding Comatose Comes Alive, Cooper and company are already gearing up for the next album and hint at a complimentary dynamic with Comatose, but one elevated to additional evolutionary degrees. “There won’t be a big directional shift, but we’re certainly going to expand and try new stuff,” he confirms. “We have 24 songs [written] and are setting up time in the studio as we speak. It’s really important for us to have a hopeful record and I think part of the reason [Comatose] has lasted so long is because fans can see we’re sincere about the message we deliver.”
