Skillet

Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1996. The group is active from 1996 to the present and works across alternative rock, christian metal, christian rock, nu metal and rock.

Formation and early years

The band begins as a side project for vocalist John Cooper and guitarist Ken Steorts, after their previous bands meet through touring. Their pastor encourages them to form a new group, and they choose the name Skillet as a way of describing different rock styles being mixed together. Trey McClurkin joins as the first permanent drummer. The band attracts interest from ForeFront Records soon after forming and releases its self-titled debut in 1996. The debut is followed by Hey You, I Love Your Soul in 1998, which moves the band toward a lighter alternative rock sound.

Line-up changes and sound

Skillet's early years include several membership changes. Before recording Invincible, Ken Steorts leaves to be with his family and Kevin Haaland joins on guitar. Korey Cooper, John Cooper's wife, first plays keyboards live and then becomes a permanent member, adding keyboards, synthesizer, rhythm guitar, backing vocals and later lead vocals. Lori Peters takes over on drums after Trey McClurkin leaves, and Ben Kasica later replaces Kevin Haaland on guitar. Jen Ledger joins on drums after training with Lori Peters, and Seth Morrison later becomes lead guitarist. The group also uses touring musicians including Tate Olsen on cello, Jonathan Chu on violin and Scotty Rock on bass guitar.

Albums and commercial breakthrough

Invincible appears in 2000 and becomes the band's best-selling record to that point. The same year, Skillet releases Ardent Worship, its first worship album and fourth album overall. Alien Youth follows in 2001 and is the first Skillet album on which John Cooper handles production. Its title track becomes a major hit in the Christian market and leads to the band's first headlining shows.

Collide arrives in 2003 and later gets reissued by Lava Records, a division of Atlantic Records, with the added track "Open Wounds". The album reflects a heavier shift influenced by acts such as Linkin Park and P.O.D. Comatose is released in 2006 and includes "Rebirthing", "Whispers in the Dark", "Comatose", "The Older I Get", "Those Nights" and "The Last Night". It enters the Billboard 200 at number 55 and reaches number 4 on the US Top Christian Albums chart. Comatose later earns gold certification from the RIAA.

Awake, Rise and later releases

Awake is released in 2009 and debuts at number 2 on the Billboard 200. Its songs include "Monster" and "Hero", both of which gain wide use in sports and media, including WWE events, NFL coverage and other broadcasts. The album also earns gold certification and matches the then-highest Billboard 200 placing for a Christian album. Skillet receives multiple GMA Dove Award nominations around this period.

Rise follows in 2013 and produces singles including "Sick of It" and "Not Gonna Die". "Sick of It" wins Rock Song of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards in 2014. Unleashed appears in 2016, Victorious in 2019 and Dominion in 2022. Victorious reaches number 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and wins Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year at the GMA Dove Awards in 2020, while its song "Legendary" wins Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year. Dominion is later expanded as Dominion: Day of Destiny, which includes the single "Psycho In My Head".

Touring and live activity

Skillet tours widely in the United States and internationally, including runs with Thousand Foot Krutch, Decyfer Down, Disciple, Hawk Nelson, TobyMac, Puddle of Mudd, Shinedown, Creed, Papa Roach, Stone Sour and Theory of a Deadman. The band appears at festivals and events including Night of Joy, Rock the Universe, Awakening Music Festival, the ELCA National Youth Gathering, Rock the River and Cornerstone Festival. It also headlines Winter Jam several times, and Jen Ledger begins a solo career alongside her work with the band in 2018.

Discography

Their studio albums include Skillet, Hey You, I Love Your Soul, Invincible, Alien Youth, Collide, Comatose, Awake, Rise, Unleashed, Victorious, Dominion and Revolution. Compilation releases include The Early Years, The Platinum Collection and Vital Signs.