Mirror of Souls (Random Review)

5/5

In 2002, Matt Smith decided to start a progressive metal band called "Theocracy" which means "a government controlled by God." He had been listening to Contemporary Christian Music, and was disappointed. He decided that Christian music needed to be as powerful as the message it brought, and he went as far as to say "when you're dealing with the most powerful and serious subject matter in existance, you can't back it up with weak music. It just doesn't work"

Fast forward 6 years, and Theocracy is now a full band, and they have just released their sophomore album, "Mirror of Souls." It combines their original Progressive Metal sound with the epic choral sections of Power Metal, creating one of the best metal projects to ever be released in any medium, and easily the best metal album to be released to the Christian market.

The album kicks off with A Tower of Ashes, which starts with an orchestraic section before adding guitars, and eventually an element of speed metal. The song talks about how craving glory and being prideful takes away from God, referencing the Tower of Babel in the beginning. The next song, On Eagle's Wings, is a song about God carrying us through the hard times in our life. Laying the Demon To Rest is a song about the war fought every day between God and sin for our hearts. Smith realizes that fighting the demons by ourselves is futile, and that only God can give us peace.

The next song is the only slow song on the album, entitled Bethleham, and it is beautifully executed. The song is from the point of view of the old Prophet that recognizes Christ as the Messiah shortly after His birth. Absolution Day is next, and takes some elements from Thrash Metal. The song is about how Christ will take our sins for us on Judgement Day ("Wait! No more! Suddenly another takes the stand: my advocate to plead my case; a perfect, blameless man"). The Writing in the Sand is heavily orchestrated, and is based on when Christ stopped a group of men from stoning a woman by saying "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone," and is from the point of view of one of the men. He describe's Christ's gaze like a mirror to his soul, reflecting all his sins and hypocrisy. Martyr is song about Christ's sacrifice, and the greatness that came about because of it, and is one of the albums strongest songs.

The finale is the title track, and clocks in at 22 minutes and 26 seconds. The song ebbs and flows beautifully, with a few acoustic parts and soaring choruses. The song includes and orchestraic section and a shredding guitar solo. The song is the epic tale of a man who finds himself in a hall of mirrors that show him what other people think of him, and he is overcome with pride. He is, however, locked out when he mistakenly enters a door that leads outside into a raging storm. As he makes his way through the storm, he is convinced he is going to die when he sees a light. He makes his way toward it when he finds a massive gorge in his way. He is devestated, when a stranger appears, and leads him to a bridge. The man is able to cross, and finds that the light emenates from behind a door, which he promptly enters. Inside, he finds a massive mirror. When he looks at the mirror, he finds that his reflection is not there, instead a creature that is diseased and decaying, with completely black eyes. He runs away and exits to find the stranger once again. The stranger reveals that the creature shown in the mirror was the narrator's soul. The narrator realizes that what everyone else thought was a lie, and only what God sees matters ("The truth unveiled before me with these words of the stranger: 'The mirrors you saw in the hall long ago Were mirrors of lies, not reflecting the soul When you look unto others to see what they see You see an illusion, deception, false reality'"). The stranger then takes the man back into the hall, and the mirror only reflects the stranger, not the man. The stranger (Christ) took the man's sin, and repaired his soul.

There is nothing to complain about on this album, it is progressive/power metal at its finest. There is absolutely no doubt about Smith's take on Christianity, or what he is singing about. The album flows beautifully, and this group of musicians has never been tighter. Smith has the most impressive range I've ever heard from a male, and more impressive than most females. I highly reccomend this album to any fan of metal, or even fans of orchestraic rock like Skillet or Red. And anyone looking for heavy music without screaming has succeeded in their search.

Anthem For the Underdog (12 Stones)

This is actually August's random review, since I slacked off.

9/10
Bringing their Post-Grunge/Alt. Metal sound back for another album, 12 Stones releases their best album to date.

And I'm here now feeling the pain of a thousand hearts. Been to Hell and back again, I won't take this.
Anthem For The Underdog
The first song on the record is a song of encouragement. As the title would suggest, it is an Anthem for the Underdog.
And we're here now feeling the beat of a thousand hearts coming back to life again. We can make it.

Don't act like an Angel, you've fallen again. You're no superhero, I found in the end...
Lie To Me
A more melodic rock song, it's about being in a relationship with someone, and having them treat you poorly. It's a breakup song, but it avoids the cheesiness that plagues most songs like this.
So lie to me once again and tell me everything will be alright. Lie to me once again and ask yourself before we say goodbye....well, goodbye....'was it worth it in the end?'

Now you're gone, I've moved on and I don't feel sorry. Can't you see I'm bleeding? But I won't bleed anymore.
Broken Road
A fitting song to come after Lie To Me, this crossover of sorts is the aftermath of a break up to a painful relationship. It's basically "I tried to make it work, but I tried too hard, and now I'm glad we're over."
I've held on for so long, but I had to let you go at the end of our broken road.

Am I dreaming? Feels like a drug but I know it's just adrenaline...
Adrenaline
A simple mosh song. Consistant heaviness, and simplistic lyrics seemingly describing the feeling of adrenaline. Since it was recorded for the latest Rambo, it's a fitting song.
My heart is beating faster!

Now I'm breathing for the first and I'm leaving all this behind. I've become what I am because of You...it was You.
It Was You
The album's first real slow song. It's a praise song to God for making us who we are.
So how can I make this up to You? I'll fight and I'll push and I'll strive now that I'm living my life for You, I'll fight and I'll push and I'll strive...

I'll close my eyes and I'll drift away, I'll make it through my darkest day. And I'll sing this song at the top of my lungs until this dark day is done.
This Dark Day
One of the heavier songs on the album, and my favorite from 12 Stones, ever. The song is from the perspective of a drug abuser trying to quit. More than that, it's about God helping us through our own dark days, when our strength doesn't seem great enough to make it by ourselves.
I'll open my eyes and I'll stay awake, I made it through my darkest day. And I'll sing this song at the topo of my lungs now that this dark day is done.

Now I don't believe that men are born to be killers, and I don't believe that the world can't be saved. How did you get here and when did it start? An innocent child with a thorn in his heart.
World So Cold
One of the most epic slow songs of all time. The song is about the cruelty and hate in the world corrupting everyone who tries to fit in with it. In times like the ones we live in, Jesus's warning to be not of this world makes complete sense.
What kind of world do we live in, where love is divided by hate? Selling our souls for no reason, we all must dreaming this life away in a world so cold.

I came home early to see you, couldn't wait to hold you, I've been away for so long now. But as I walked through the doorway, my heart was shattered to find that you're not alone.
Arms Of A Stranger
A heavy crossover, the song is about someone in a relationship cheating on you. This song is what Skillet's Should've When You Could've SHOULD have been. 12 Stones once again manages to avoid any cheesiness in this song.
When will I break into pieces? It's your mistake. I finally see that everything I thought was you was a lie. Now you've left love dying in the arms of a stranger.

Looking back on I've everything I've done, I never thought I'd find the one to share the dreams that only I had seen locked in the darkest part of me
Hey Love
An odd song, musically...an Alt-Rock song with a bluesy feel to it. It isn't bad, but may need to grow on you. The song is about finding the right person for you, the one God wants you to be with.
Hey love, won't you leave your touch on this heart that's broken? I can't breathe when you're not here! Hey love, won't you lift me up on wings that fly higher than the stars that shine above?

I'm so scared of all the ways you take my confidence away with all the selfish games you play.
Games You
A heavy song about someone in a position of authority abusing it to torment you, and make you do things you'd rather not. This song, the way it's worded, reminds me of the relationship between Greg House and James Wilson from the television show, House MD.
I don't know why and I don't know how I let you control my inner self. As cold as you are, I'm counting the scars; they're proving to me just who you are. And now I know why, and now I know how I'm better off without all the selfish things you say, and I won't waste another day with all the games you play.

Lie To Me (Acoustic)
Same song and lyrics as Lie To Me, just acoustic. It's well done


Taking chances...will they take their toll? Will you focus or will you lose control?
Once In A Lifetime
Quite possibly the heaviest song on the album, it's about living each day as your last. For once, this kind of song isn't in slow form. This song is brillliantly executed.
You made it, just take it! This might be your once in a lifetime. Don't waste it, or you'll be left faceless cause it's once in a lifetime, so take your best shot!

Awake

9.8/10
Following the Comatose formula of 1/2 Rock and 1/2 Radio friendly Slow songs, Awake takes everything Comatose had right with it, and takes it up a notch.

Who's gonna fight for what's right? Who's gonna help us survive? We're in the fight of our lives, and we're not ready to die.
Hero
Awake kicks off with a very hook-heavy rocker. Extremely reminiscent of Linkin Park's Papercut, from Hybrid Theory. The lyrics are a simple plead to God to save us from this world that would seek to destroy our faith. The bridge, however, makes the case that the listener also needs to step up, and spread the good news, so that others may share in salvation.
I've gotta fight for what's right, today I'm speaking my mind, and if it kills me tonight I will be ready to die.

I hate what I've become, the nightmare's just begun, I must confess that I feel like a monster
Monster
Who knew 1 riff over and over would make a good song? Apparantly mainstream rock radio. And Skillet does it well enough. It's a good song, about the "monster" (sin) in us trying to get free, and destroy us. However, we cannot let it, or it will destoy us. I do have a complaint with the song. They tried to include the live Growl gimmick. It sounds terrible on the record, even humorous. I tend to just press the skip button after the bridge.
It's hiding in the dark, it's teeth are razor-sharp. There's no escape for me, it wants my soul, it wants my heart. No one can hear me scream, maybe it's just a dream, or maybe it's inside of me. Stop this monster!

And now, I guess, this is as good as it gets....
Don't Wake Me
A slow song. A very slow song. Like, zippo lighter or prom-dance slow. But not bad. The song will be easily relateable to anyone that's experienced loss of any kind. The song basically puts the narrator in a situation where he loved someone, but for one reason or another, can only be with them in his dreams.
I know, when it's you I'm dreaming of, I don't want to wake up.

I'm at war with the world, cuz I ain't never gonna sell my soul. I've already made up my mind: no matter what, I can't be bought or sold.
Awake and Alive
An anthem, without a doubt. Makes excellent use of strings. It's about standing up for what you believe in, even when the world would tell you to sit down and shut up. The chorus proclaims: I'm awake! I'm alive! Now I know what I believe inside. Now! It's my time! I'll do what I want, cuz this is my life. Here, right now, I'll stand my ground and never back down. I know what I believe inside, I'm awake and I'm alive. Expanding on "Hero's" bridge, this song is a call to arms to all believers to get out and let the world know what you believe, and that you won't back down from it. More importantly, let them know that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Light.
Forever hold this heart that I will give to You, forever I will live for You!



Time passes by, never thought I'd wind up one step behind....
One Day Too Late
Another slow song (already?), but this is more Nickelback-esque than slow dance. A simple rock ballad about living each day as you last. And let's face it, who hasn't made a song about living in the moment yet? I guess Skillet had to join the club sometime. Not a bad song, just overdone.
Your time is running out, you're never gonna get it back. So make the most of every moment and stop saving your best for last.


Let's get the story straight, you were a poison. You flooded through my veins, you left me broken. You tried to make me think that the blame was all on me with the pain you put me through, but now I know that it's not me, it's you!
It's Not Me(It's You)
Opening with the sounds of Ben picking up his guitar, then playing a suppressed, but distorted riff reminiscent of Greenday before going in to full Hard Rock mode, this is another song about a broken relationship. However, it's tongue-in-cheek, too. The title is a clear inversion to the popular cliche in a break up (it's not you, it's me), and refers to someone in some position of power abusing that power, and putting you down. Making you feel like nothing, and somehow putting the blame on you. This song is the answer to that scenario. Another explanation is that this song is speaking to the devil. He tries to make us sin, and make us hate ourselves for doing it, but in the end, it's him doing it to us. That does NOT absolve us, however, and we must still seek forgiveness.
So here we go again, the same fight we're always in. I don't care, so why pretend? Wake me when your lecture ends. You tried to make me small, make me fall and it's all your fault, with the pain you put me through, and now I know that it's not me, it's you!


Don't you understand? I don't wanna be your backup plan....
Should've When You Could've
....what the? The music...the title...the lyrics...it's just. Wow. It's a good enough song if you don't listen thinking "Skillet." It's even better if you listen thinkin "FM Static." I like FM Static, and this carries their signature sound, shockingly enough. The music is poppy, and the lyrics are about breaking up with someone that treats you poorly.
Play hard to get if it makes you happy, for change you can start chasing me.


So is it you, or is it me? I know I'm so blind when we don't agree...
Believe
Another slow song, but it's different. Very different. It's unique, which is always good, considering the direction that music, in general, is taking. John hits some killer notes at the end of the chorus. The song is almost an apology to someone you treated badly in an argument or something...but it also kind of puts some blame on them. It says I know I said some things I didn't mean, but you should have known me by now. Basically meaning that, "okay, I'm sorry, but you should know that I don't mean things like that." It's odd lyrically, but very fitting. I like the song.
You're all that I want, don't you even know me at all? You're all that I need, just tell me that you still believe.

You have forgiven all the promises and lies, all the times I compromised, all the times You were denied. You have forgiven...
Forgiven
Starting with killer piano-work from Korey, before mixing in strings and some guitar riffs. This is one of the best cross-overs I've heard in a long time. The song is begging God to forgive you for the sins, unfaithfulness, and false-idols. It repeats a line from one of my OTHER favorite Skillet slow songs, One Real Thing (I get down on my knees, feel your love wash over me). I don't know why people take exception to this. Skillet WROTE the line. They can use it how they see fit. And they used to do that all the time. More Faithful was born from the bridge of I Can. ....end rant.
Forgive me now, cuz I have been unfaithful. Don't ask me why, cuz I don't know. So many times I've tried, but was unable...but now this heart belongs to You alone.

Sometimes; don't deny that everything is wrong. Sometimes; rather die than to admit it's my fault. Sometimes when you cry, I just don't care at all. I don't know why I do the things I do to you but sometimes I don't wanna get better. Sometimes I can't be put back together. Sometimes I find it hard to believe there's someone else who could be just as messed up as me.
Sometimes
Wow. Starting with some hard-hitting guitars before breaking into metal Dual-Lead action, this song spells awesome from the first second it starts palying. It also has an awesome solo (using a voice-box. Nothing Peter Frampton worthy, but still great), and a sick outro with Alien Youth type effects. The lyrics are the type that punch you straight in the heart. Brutal honesty. But neccessary honesty. We all have a hateful side. I just learned that we need to acknowledge it...but we have to let it go, too.
I want someone to hurt like the way I hurt. It's sick but it makes me feel better. Sometimes I can't hide the demons that I face. Sometimes; don't deny: I'm sometimes sinner, sometimes saint.

Do you know what it's like when you're scared to see yourself? Do you know what it's like when you wish you were someone else?....
Never Surrender
Another cross-over of epic proportions. Starting with some nice strings, and then some guitar, played in-tune with the song itself, as opposed to riffs, this song doesn't scream "exceptional"....until you hear the words. Anyone who says they have never felt this way is either lying, or has led an extremely sheltered life. The song is begging God for help, when everything else seems dark and hopeless. The chorus cries out I don't wanna feel like this tomorrow, I don't wanna live like this today. Make me feel better, I wanna feel better. Stay with me here, now, and never surrender. I think this song would be great for To Write Love On Her Arms, like The Last Night, and will be similar to the song in terms of relatability.
Do you know what it's like when you're not who you want to be? Do you know what it's like to be your own worst enemy?....

I've gotta live with the choices I made, and I can't live with myself today.
Lucy
A piano ballad, but don't go in with any expectations. They will be blown away. Despite the totally simple piano chord that the Jonas Brothers could play, this song is EPIC. Inspired by abortion, but applicable to a number of different scenarios. The best ballad Skillet has ever done, and probably my third or fourth favorite ballad of all time. Ever.
I know I'd do it all different if I had the chances, but all I've got are these roses to give, and they can't help me make ammends.

Don't you leave me here alone in all this fear...
Dead Inside
Wow. Why wasn't this song included in the original album? Starting with a nice hook before adding in heavily distorted riffs and present, but not overwhelming, stings, this song is epic. It's about the feeling that one has without God. Feeling empty, and hopeless. The deluxe edition is worth it just for this song.
Dead inside, my heart and soul flatline. Put your mouth on mine and bring me back to life. Dead inside, no other satisfies. My blood runs dry, take my life, save me from this death inside.

If my time was up I'd wanna know you were happy I was there
Would It Matter
A slower song, almost similar to Believe musically. Lyrically, it's about regretting the bad decisions you made, and wondering if anyone would miss you if you were gone. Wondering if you made any impact at all. A good song, but a bad choice for an album closer.
I know I'm a mess and I wanna be someone that I lke better.

Album by Album reviews

A complex album rating system, here it is:

Each song has a possible 5 points, and the more I like the song, the more I like it. This also means longer albums have a higher potential. The more I like the sound, the less points I take off for sound deduction. Then I curved the percentages and added the results, in point form, to the previous points, then subtracted the deductions again, giving a definate list of my favorite Skillet albums:

Awake = 144
Collide = 143
Alien Youth = 143
Comatose = 131
Invincible = 123
Skillet = 91
Hey You, I Love Your Soul = 59

Awake Lyrics!

Thanks to JT Indie. ( www.jtindie.com )

So, I can't Copy and Paste it for some reason, even piece by piece, so here you go:
http://skillet.com/boards/index.php/topic,7342.0.html

Panheads Online

Panheads Online started out as a Fanspace for Skillet, currently run by 2 panheads, Cara and Joelle. Often interviewing the band at live shows the attend, presented to Fans/Friends/Subscribers of Panheads Online as "Panheads Exclusives." They also hold drawings from time to time, and the winner is sent a Skillet related prize, such as a signed CD, a poster, a T-Shirt, etc.

http://www.myspace.com/panheads
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Panheads-Online/81089567261
http://www.youtube.com/user/PanheadsOnline

Awake Deluxe

I promised to post when I had new information.....I just forgot that promise until right now.



Anyway, the deluxe edition has been confirmed, including 3 extra songs: Dead Inside, Would it Matter, and Monster (Radio Edit). I ordered from Amazon.com (only 18 bucks, with ONE DAY shipping. Amazon Prime = Win). It is unknown right now which version of Monster is which, whether the one with the growl is the album one or the radio edit, but we will find out August 25.



If you do order it, I reccomend Amazon (not Musichristian) because of shipping. However, I also suggest holding off ordering it if you did preorder the album, because (although unlikely) they may still upgrade the preorders, or at least give an option to upgrade.



Once I know more, I'll post another blog.

Awake Preview

HearItFirst.com recently put up 30 second song clips for us to enjoy from Awake. Note to everyone: Believe does NOT work, as of Saturday, 7-25-09, at 11:30 PM.

All the songs sound good, but favorites right now are easily Awake and Alive, It's Not Me, and Sometimes.

Finally Awake (Seventh Day Slumber)

RANDOM REVIEW!

8/10
What do you get when you take heavy, face melting songs; emotional ballads; and quality production, then throw them all in a blender containing lyrics inspired by an awesome testimoney? Seventh Day Slumber's Finally Awake. My only complaint is the usual "too MANY ballads" one.

I'll take what God has made me, I'm not an empty shell!
Awake
The first song on the album blasts it's way through, declaring a resistance to worldy things with lyrics like just so you know, I'll never be like or how many times have I hated who I was, lost sight of what defines me 'cause of airbrushed magazines. The chorus declares a realization, that we must focus on God.
I hope they see instead of following. I'm finally awake, I feel alive today (I feel everything). It's all so clear to me!

Lost in the game, finally I can say I'm proud of me. No hope at all, day that I believed would never come. No one to blame, the shadows of my past have been erased. A life that only God Himself could change.
Last Regret
Starting off with almost dual guitar riffs, and a screaming-singing antiphony (call and answer vocals...a screamed line, a sung line), this song is possibly the heaviest on the record. Lyrically, it's one of my personal favorites, because, for me, it is one of those songs that really hits home. It's about Joseph Rojas's redemption from a felon and drug addict to man of God, but is worded vaguely enough that it can be taken to mean any sort of redemption, on any level. The chorus proclaims I never dreamed that life could feel this way! Don't wake me please, I've finally found a place where I belong. Only one regret: all those years I lost for nothing at all, meaning that now that Rojas has found God, he is living a life he never dreamed was possible. The only thing he regrets is not finding Him sooner.
Lauging in pain, searching for a reason to exist. World torn apart, excuses left me breathless and ashamed. Slipping away, I've found a purpose that's worth fighting for. The memories don't haunt me anymore.
**I would like to note that I love the line "the memories don't haunt me anymore"**

On the outside, all they see is clay that hides the pefect lie, and no one really knows the pain inside. I understand how much it hurts to be the one who's never seen; the missing pages in a magazine.
Missing Pages
The albums first ballad, and my personal favorite ballad of ALL TIME. From any band. Ever. The lyrics describe a person who has become so calloused by the world, that everything that they do is an act, charade, or facade. They are sick of the lie, and turn to earthly habits to try and calm the pain of living a lie (your addiction is a symptom of lost and dying soul, and without Jesus there's no hope at all) but realizing that Jesus is the only One who can help, and also the only One who has known the true person, beneath the lie concocted to please the world. I think this song describes everyone, on some level (even if not as extreme), and I know I do sometimes.
No one knows you anymore, you're lost inside the walls you've built. No one knows you anymore, a prison deep within your soul. There is One who sees it all, He'll give you life you never dreamed. He can see the pain underneath your skin.

The silence of what's left is waking me, I never sleep.....
My Only Hope
Another heavy song, this speaks of something, anything really, tormenting someone to the point of breaking, and the person realizing that the only way they can be set free from the nightmares, visions, and memories.
So I pray this all will end, take it a million miles away, and I can't go through this again, You're my only hope!

There will come a day when I'll explain all the mistakes your dad has made. I hope you see that it was Christ, and only Him, that rescued me. Even when I fell away....
Always
Another ballad, this is an excellent one as well. As far as I can tell, the song was written to Rojas's son, from him. A song that says "I want to be there for you, but if I feel, remember God won't"
And when you feel like giving up, I will walk you through the pain. And when you feel like life's too much, remember Jesus is your strength.

And all these memories will be erased
Breaking Away
A soft-ish song. It gets a little hard during the chorus, but has a more pop feel to it than the metal edge earlier songs in the record had. The song is about leaving behind all your mistakes and failures, and realizing that you cannot be pefect. If you could, Jesus died for nothing.
Breaking away from everything that's hopeless, the road ahead look wonderful

Am I too blind? I can’t see, it’s killing me. I feed off abuse, nothing’s changed, it always bleeds like this.
Burning Bridges
Another song with a metal edge (about time!), the lyrics are darker than previous songs. The lyrics are about not being able to break away from our sins, despite trying to kill all the ties we had to them. Proverbs 26:11 even says As a dog returns to it's vomit, a fool repeats his folly. We are condemned to repeat our mistakes, for as humans, on earth, we cannot change ourselves. Only God can help us be rid of our sins.
The holiest of liars, what have I become? I’m holding on to nothing once again. Addiction holds the keys to my freedom....could You take it all away?

These hollow things have replaced You. Lord, I need You back again.
Undone
Another ballad. Not a bad song, but there are too many of them. The song is good. It's about losing our love for God in the world, and focusing on worldy things, and asking Him to forgive us and put us back on the right path.
Take me to where I should be, 'cause I don't belong here, I know. Without You there's no hope for me. I'm undone, make me whole.

So I'll run to You, despite the shame and leave it all behind.
On My Way Home
Another ballad, with almost the same theme as "Undone" The song is actually a continuation. If Undone was about realizing whe need God, On My Way Home is telling God that we want Him back in our lives.
On my way home...I'm running back to You!

I'll never know what you see in me.
Broken Buildings
A song that isn't quite a building, but not as heavy as the first half of the record, it's a little lighter than Breaking Away. The song is about failing in life, loved by no one, including yourself, and trying to figure out why God would send His Son to die for us.
What did You see in me? What did You see in me? Is there beauty in these broken buildings? What did You see in me? What did You see in me? You found beauty in these broken buildings.
**Obviously comparing himself to "broken buildings" Just saying**
And how could I repay the priceless gift You gave? I'll never understand why You would take my place! You saw me at my worst, and still You never left, even when my world came crashing down.

Saturday's have never been the same, and I still can't believe you're gone.
Every Saturday
Ending the album with another ballad, the song is about losing someone close to you, and instead of getting over your mourning, you are stuck in despair. But you hold on to the knowledge that, however much you hurt, you know that God has a plan, even if you don't know what it is, and still believing in Him
I'm barely hanging on with all these empty feelings, I'm hurting in so many ways. And though I can't begin to understand the reason, I still believe that You're God.

Comatose Comes Alive

Well, since I have already reviewed every song on this live Album/DVD, I will not be explaining lyric or anything, simply analyzing the live performance. Hopefully short and sweet.

8/10
Playing a ton of songs from Comatose, not enough from Collide, and 2 from Invincible, this DVD/CD captures a concert from the 2008 Comatose Tour, specifically the stop in Chattanuga Tennessee.

Intro
After a countdown, a pleasant strings piece starts, and adds in some pounding drums.

Comatose
With strings replacing a synthesizer, Comatose starts, and adds a short guitar bit to the intro, before going through the all too familiar song. Cooper gets the crowd involved plenty, but this is one of the songs that has been overdone.

Whispers in the Dark
After Comatose, this gem starts playing, with a nice echo effect on roses before Cooper screams, signaling the guitars to burst in full force. Adding in cryogenic steam and seizure-inducing lights, it's no wonder why this is a crowd favorite. At the end John talks some, nothing important

Collide
The strings from Collide are, as I've said before, the best part of the song. Even live, this song is boring. On the bright side, it gives me a chance to take pictures with all of them rocking out....

Forsaken
Blending right int after Collide, Forsaken starts with an added intro before getting face meltingly heavy. The second highlight, after Whispers.

Older I Get
Slowing things down is an understatement. From Forsaken to this is bringing things to a screeching halt.

The Last Night
After an explanation as to the meaning behind the song, this song slams on as usual. If you are someone who hasn't seen them live recently, you are in for a treat at the end of the song.

Better Than Drugs
A different intro may confuse some, but that only lasts until they launch face-first into the chorus, before playing the rocking Better Than Drugs.

Those Nights
Massive crowd involvement on a pretty good song.

Yours To Hold
After a few jokes about 80s power ballads (although there is one I take issue with: he says "I want everyone to pretend it's 1985....maybe put some cell phones up in the air" They didn't have cell phones with screens back then. It was Zippo-lighers all the way), they play the mellow Yours To Hold, with their drummer, Jen, singing for the second verse.

Rebirthing
An awesome song, with some sweet screams added, is completely butchered here by the quality. I have no idea why the rest of the songs sound great, except this one....

My Obsession
EPIC! A face melter and crowd favorite! Not to mention adding an awesome solo.

Angels Fall Down
A decent song, but they didn't have enough room in between slow songs. Only 2? I should make setlists for them. Best. Tour. Ever.

Savior
An awesome fan favorite song, with an added outro that is supposed to serve as a grand finale....

Best Kept Secret
....until they do an encore. Going "old school" for this one, they make it a little more modern by turning down the samples and cranking the guitars. A good version of a good song.

Random reviews!

I will be, once a month....maybe week depending on how bored I get, review a random, non-Skillet thing.

If I can tie it in with Skillet, I'll do my best.
The first one should be coming shortly.

Comatose Deluxe Edition

I hate rereleased. I will be reviewing both Comatose and the addition track in one blog. Take that, management.

6/10

Adding symphonic elements like those found in Collide's title track to a hard rock sound, the Comatose theory is great! It also comes free with a Kutless Copycat trick, where about half the CD is in fact, not hard rock! Yay!

I wanna live for love, I wanna live for you and me
Rebirthing
Kicking things off with an intense strings sections, which only gets more intense after the other instrumenets kick in, Rebirthing is one of the album highlights. The song speaks about being reborn in your faith as a Christian, or in life in general.
Tell me when I'm gonna live again, tell me when this fear will end. Tell me when I'm gonna feel inside, tell me when I'm gonna feel alive!

You come to Me with scars on your wrists, you tell Me this will be the last night feeling like this....
The Last Night
Starting with a soft piano intro, the song proves itself to be too heavy for a ballad, but doesn't exactly fall in the same category as the rockers either. Odd, but enjoyable, none-the-less. Here is what I got out of the song: Cooper, who plays God, has a person come to Him in prayer, desperately seeking help, but lacking patience, and wanting to kill himself or herself. God's answer is that He is always there for him or her, and He wants to be everything s/he needs.
This is the last night you'll spend alone! Look Me in the eyes so I know you know I'm everywhere you want Me to be. The last night you'll spend alone, I'll wrap you in My arms and I won't let go. I'm everything you need Me to be.

Starving for your attention, you don't even know my name
Yours to Hold
The album's first ballad, of several, it is one of the better ones. It's...well, not much to say spiritually. It could be taken as being there for a friend.
You're going through so much, don't you know that I could be the one to hold you

Feel Your every heartbeat, feel You on these empty nights. You're the strength of my life.
Better Than Drugs
A song that could have been on Collide. Using softer music and slight voice distortion during the verses, but getting heavy for the choruses, it follows a pattern from Collide. Lyrically, the song compares (contrasts?) God to drugs, saying that there is no need for them while He is in our lives, and that He is greater than anything this world can offer us.
Calm the aches, stop the shakes, You clear my mind!

I hate feeling like this, so tired of trying to fight this. I'm asleep and all I dream of is waking to You!
Comatose
Starting off with a synth reminsicent of Journey's Separate Ways, before introducing guitars signifacantly louder than Journey decided to use (...if only.....), Comatose is the third Highlight (Rebirthing, Better Than Drugs, Comatose). The songs, on the surface, is about living a life without God, and realizing that we Him. And it carries a metaphor on from Better Than Drugs: Comatose....I'll never wake up without an overdose of You! John Cooper also explained the message behind calling the record Comatose. Basically, the world is detiorating every day. Terrorism, war, child abuse, child abduction, violence, riots, drug use, suicide, depression, crime, sexual references are EVERYWHERE, etc. If we don't stop this, if we don't wake up from our comas and see what's going on in this world, then we are going to lose it, and then, when Judgment Day comes, we are just going to lose.
I don't wanna live, I don't wanna breathe, 'less I feel You next to me, You take the pain I feel-Waking up to You never felt so real. I don't wanna sleep, I don't wanna dream, 'cause my dreams don't comfort me the way You make me feel. You take the pain I feel-Waking up to You never felt so real!

It started getting better but it's easy not to fight when I'm not with you.
The Older I Get
Another soft song. Softer than the last night, a little faster than a ballad. I'd call it soft pop-rock, at best. It's okay, but gets old very quickly. The song has a theme similar to Open Wounds, except more peaceful, serene, and hopefuly, showing that John has put his anger and bitterness behind him.
The space between our calm and rage started getting shorter, disappearing slowly day after day

Remember when we'd stay up late and talk all night in a dark room lit by the TV light? Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.
Those Nights
A song that is lighter than The Last Night, but still not a ballad. It actually has quite a pop-rock feel to it. Odd for Skillet, but not bad. It's my favorite "non-rocker" on the album. The song talks about being there for a friend...but on the flipside. John narrates about one particularly good friend who he was always with, and helped him through a lot of stuff in his life. Assuming this song is based on Cooper's experiences, one could assume that meant the death of his mother and his dysfunctional relationship with his father. I know I can relate to this song, and actually describes one of my friends really well. I didn't even realize it until I wrote this, either.
Listen to the radio play all night, didn't wanna go home to another fight. Through all the hard times in my life, those nights kept me alive.

I'm falling in the black, slipping through the cracks, falling to the depths, can I ever go back?
Falling Inside the Black
Highlight #4 opens up with some synth, before blasting into full rock mode. This song probably earns the most highly underrated song from Comatose, without a doubt (Older I Get is the most higly OVERrated). The song is about slipping away from God, and begging Him to take us back. The good news is, He will always take us back, as long as we truly want it.
Don't leave me here like this, can't hear me scream from the abyss, and now I wish for you, my desire.

I wish we could be laughing; instead I'm standing here asking "Do we have to end this now? Can we make it last somehow?"
Say Goodbye
A ballad, and my least favorite song on Comatose. The lyrics speak for themselves, and while relatable, the music is, for me (and I am the one writing the review), enough to make the song not worthwhile.
And if it's over it hurts, but I'm giving you my word: I hope you're always happy like we were.

Despite the lies that you're making, your love is mine for the taking. My love is just waiting to turn your tears to roses.
Whispers in the Dark
The last highlight on the standard edition, it is my favorite from Comatose, and the best song they perform live from the Comatose album, followed by Better Than Drugs. Heavy, with a more synth-keyboard feel than straight-up synth, the music is, well, rock-solid. As is the message. Addressed to us from God, the song basically says that even when we feel the most low, God is there with us, and wants to help and guide us. If only we would learn to let him...
No! You'll never be alone! When darkness comes I'll light the night with stars, hear my whispers in the dark. No! You'll never alone! When darkness comes you know I'm never far, hear my whispers in the dark.

We want it, we want, we want a reason to live.....We need it, we need, we need more than this
Looking For Angels
...is not a song. By any sense of the word. The only part that has any melody are the choruses, and the lines above during the verses, and even then it's more of a pop-rock feel than a real rock song. The words are SPOKEN. I don't know about you, but when I listen to music, I want to hear MUSIC. The song doesn't even feature John's real speaking voice! The ONLY redeeming quality of the song is last verse, where John actually stops using a monotone and speaks with passion in his voice! Maybe if the entire "song" were like that, I'd like it more. As it is, it's my third-least-favorite on Comatose.
I became a savior to some kids I'll never meet, sent a check in the mail to buy them something to eat. What will you do to make a difference, to make a change? What will you do to help someone along the way? Just a touch, a smile as you turn the other cheek. Pray for your enemies, humble yourself, love's staring back at me. In the midst of the most painful of faces, angels show up in the strangest of places.

Don't you know the cost of your betrayal? You're the one that's lost, you're gonna fail!
Live Free or Let Me Die
The only reason to buy Comatose Deluxe Edition is this song. It is an awesome song, very reminiscent of Whispers in the Dark, but different enough to be it's own. It's fast paced, and heavy, but keeps the gothic/synth element to it. It actually reminds me of Pain's "Same Old Song" in an abstract way. The lyrics are encouraging, refusing those who would want to bring us down.
You can't take away my strength, fix these broken veins, there's nothing left to fight, live free or let me die. You can't take away my pride, I won't be denied, there's nothing left to fight, live free or let me die! Do you remember how you became who you are now? Do you remember how it felt to breathe without gasping with all of you might?

I am not going to review the acoustic tracks. Reviews of the orginals are included, and if you like acoustics, they are well done. If you don't, they are still well done, you just won't like them. I still suggest getting the deluxe, because Live Free or Let Me Die is worth it.

Collide

Since Collide was rereleased in 2004 with the same songs, plus one, I will be reviewing that edition, since the explications will still all be there.

9.5/10
Collide completely abandons any traces of Techno, Industrial, or Electronica elements Skillet has had before, and instead reminds the world why they are considered a Hard Rock band.

I recall going madly in love with You, and I remember this, how could I forget?
Forsaken
The album opens with an undeniably heavy guitar intro in the form of Forsaken. Easily in the top 5 heaviest songs Skillet has ever recorded, complete with crusing bass, hardcore drums, shredding guitars, and gutteral screams, Forsaken speaks of feeling, well, forsaken by God, but realizing that everything He does is for us.
I recall pledging my sole devotion to You, it reminds me how, now I'm on my knees. My guilt consumes, lost the will in me. Wasting away before You, hold me closer please.

What you got, what you want, what you need - Gonna be your Savior. Everything's gonna crash and break, your Savior!
Savior
Starting with an acoustic intro with a hint at a strings setting on a keyboard, Savior slams into heavy guitars before mellowing out for the verses, and getting heavy during the chorus and bridge. The songs is from God, to us. It is saying that He knows everything, what we have, what we desire, and what we need, as well as the future, and if we let Him, He will be our Savior.
I am the eyes inside staring back at you! You need, you need...me! Yeah!

And you can't stop me from falling apart, because my self destruction is all your fault!
Open Wounds
The bonus track on the Collide rerelease, it replaced the title track for slot number 3, and the title track was put in between My Obsession and Fingernails. Starting out with an intro that sounds like it could potentially be Alien Youth-esque in a very broad sense of music, it soon reveals itself to be a very angry song. It inspired by John's childhood with his father. They had such a tense relationship that both John and Korey have said that he[John] didn't even want his father at their wedding. But God called John to reach out to his father, and he did, and miraculously his father reached back, proving the power God has. This is one of those songs where listeners can go "Hey! Someone gets it!" because of lines like In the dark with the music on, wishing I was somewhere else. I know, personally, I have found myself in almost that exact scenario countless times.
How could you hate me when all I ever wanted to be was you!? How could you love me when all you ever gave me was open wounds!?

Let the world crash, love can take it. Let the world come crashing down. Let the world crash, love can take it. Love can take a little-, Love can give-, a little more.
A Little More
The albums first ballad, it was originally written by John and Korey for Alien Youth, but they held off, and rerecorded and reproduced it for this record, instead. It is truely a "power ballad" with soft enough instruments, but still not acoustic or "wimpy." Speaking of the power that love can have to change the world, the song encourages people not only to love others more than themselves, but to trust in the love God has for us.
Love is all around, you know, so take a hold. Hidden in our words, sometimes it ain't enough. Don't suffocate day after day, it's building up, cause when your feeling weak, you know I'm strong enough. Just one more day...one more day.

Am I a lunatic? I'm going crazy for just a touch from-, for just a word from-, You.
My Obsession
Drifting out of ballad land into a suppressed guitar intro before slamming into full-force hard rock, My Obsession is just one of those songs that you have no choice but to headbang to. Even now, writing this review is difficult, because my head can't keep still. The is a praise song, calling God our only infatuation, but it serves another purpose. For me, anyway, it made me think "if God isn't my only obsession, what am I doing wrong?" and started to focus less on worldly things and more on Him.
You're my only infatuation! Don't leave me stranded in my obsession! My purpose, my possesions, live and die in my obsession!
**I would like to take a few sentances to analyze that line there. It won't take long. Basically, his purpose and possessions only exist because God will them to (living in his obsession), and he will gladly discard them if he feels compelled to by God (dying in his obsession). Some people couldn't comprehend that, so I thought I'd break it down**

There's something deep inside that keeps my faith alive when all you can do is hide from the fear that's deep inside of you.
Collide
This song was track 3 on the original Collide, but got moved here to have the order sound better with Open Wounds added. Opening with an awesome orchestrated intro, the song gets boring after that. Yay, heavy guitars that just play the same power chord over and over and over and over. And the something, something, something, something, something reptition during the chorus gets redundant and annoying after the first time hearing the chorus. The song itself is about finding a reason to believe amidst all the fear in our lives, hence the title, coming from the line Can we take a chance when faith and fear collide? It is a message of hope, fitting before Fingernails, but the song itself gets old, fast, except the intro.
We have fallen again tonight. Where do we go from here when they're tearing down our lives?

Never reaching what I want to reach. Never being who I want to be. Blaming me when I fall and fail, all my dreams splintering under my fingernails.
Fingernails
A suitably creepy intro preceedes a heavy song, with blazing guitars throughout. The song is about realizing that we are not perfect, a fact that some people struggle to deal with, and blame themselves for. Yet, if we were perfect, Christ's sacrifice on the Cross would have been in vain, so as dark as the message sounds, without any sort of line of hope in the song, clinging to that fact makes the message behind the song even more apparant.
I'm suffering, I'm bleeding, on my knees, who's gonna save me? Suffering....bleeding....save me from this pit of frailty!

Tears falling down again, come let the healing begin
Imperfection
As drums, guitar, and keys slowly start to rise in volume, and bass is added to it, you are being prepared for the best song on the record, by far. Following Savior's pattern of mellowing out in the verses, and getting heavy in the choruses and bridge, the song also includes one of my favorite solos from Skillet. The song itself is similar in theme to Fingernails, but spoken from God's perspecitve. "Yeah, I know all that, but why can't you see what I see?" Mixing in lyrics that once again reveals the heart and compassion of Skillet, with lyrics that just scream "I get it! I've been there too!" and other lyrics with a message of hope, revealing that God doesn't expect us to be perfect. Once again, if we were, Jesus Christ died for nothing.
You fall to your knees, you beg, you plead "can I be somebody else for all the times I hate myself!?" Your failures devour your heart in every hour, you're drowning in your imperfection.

When I hurt, when I bleed, You're holding me!
Under My Skin
The second and final ballad on the album, it is a praise song to God, basically saying he heals all our wounds. Like A Little More, this song is a little edgier than most ballads, but still not even close to a rocker. This is a good song, overall, but it gets old pretty fast. Except for the bridge, which is amazing.
Could I be lost, could I disappear? Could I be lost, would you find me here? Could I be lost in a secret place? Could I rest in the shadow of Your Face?

Power is another word that I use to describe You, Your mighty winds come and blow me away!
Energy
Quite possibly the heaviest song on the record, with the only competition being Forsaken, you know you are in for a face-melter when you hear the intro guitars and Cooper's screaming. It is a praise song, but out of the form of a ballad. In that sense it's reminiscent of Disciple's "Before You," even though the songs don't sound anywhere close to similar. Definitely in my top three from Collide, along with Imperfection and Open Wounds.
You're a silent rage, You're a hurricane, You are everything I cannot see and can't explain. You're an enigma wrapped in a mystery, everywhere I go I can't escape Your energy!

I am on a higher ground, You are my cure from the cycle down.
Cycle Down
Opening with heavy guitars, the song is similar to Savior and Imperfection in structure, but not QUITE as good as either. The lyrics are about how low we as humans can sometimes feel, and sink into a pit of despair in a cycle of depression and anger, but God can be our cure from that cycle down into a nightmare.
Sinking in a sea of self, deception never sold so well. Regret like I have not, pain like I don't want...

Awake....deluxe!?

So, as some of you may already know, I have preordered 3 copies of Awake, for the different goodies that come with them. I bought one preorder at a show I went to in Greensburg April 5. I bought one from ChristianBook.com, because of the sick-freakin'-nasty T-Shirt that comes with it. I bought one from Skillet's official one for a second T-Shirt and a signed Tour-Pass souvenir.

Today, it was revealed that there will be a Deluxe edition of Awake, and NO ONE was aware of it before today. Skillet's management let us prebuy something without knowing all of our options! Now, it is conceivable that they will send a Deluxe edition instead of standard for the prebuy, however some nagging part of me doesn't think so. And if gut instincts don't cut it for you, I have other reasons, but none I'm at liberty to share.

It comes with 2 songs not on the standard release. The real question is are these 2 songs acoustics of songs on the record, B-Sides (Smile Again, perhaps?), or entirely new songs? Probably the latter, but I'm not sure of anything right now.

Another question: If they do not automatically send Deluxe to prebuyers, will there be an option to uprgrade our purchase, or do I have to buy a 4th copy of the album?

It would seem to me, from this and several other incidents, that certain members of Skillet's management could care less about the bands morals, and are doing anything to promote them, and their only goal is success.

I'll add another blog as soon as I have more information.

Alien Youth

10/10
Skillet's 2001 release, Alien Youth, took their techno to a whole new level by fusing it with
Hard Rock (think The Fire Breathes, and heavier)...

**Fun Fact: The sound for this album was HEAVILY influenced by Mortal's Fathom album, one of John's favorties. The first song from that tape is called Alive and Awake. Coincidentally, the title of one of the songs from Skillet's upcoming album, Awake, is called Awake and Alive.**

It's been confirmed that the aliens have landed.
Alien Youth
Kicking off with techno sounds and loud distorted guitars, the listener can just tell they're in for a treat. Essentially an anthem for Christians, calling us to be not of this world, and join the Alien Youth, in an attempt to change it for the better.
Worldwide Jesus domination, love conquers all!

I'm a beep, I'm a vapor, I'm just a blinking light!
Vapor
One of the heaviest on the record, Vapor slams in with lyrics about how fleeting our lives are, but how much of a difference we can make while we're here.
I'm a beep, I'm a vapor, and I'm about to evaporate.

One man, one mission, one plot to save the world....
Earth Invasion
Then, the pop-heavy Earth Invasion comes in, with a continuation of the theme presented in Alien Youth. Describing the coming of the Kingdom of God as an Alien Invasion, they tell everyone they need to repent if they want to have eternal life. They just use more fun, metaphorical phrasing.
Join us in the army that's arising, the truth invades your mind. Every day the Kingdom is advancing...The earth invasion has just begun!

You're the hope of all the Earth
You Are My Hope
The albums first ballad, the song is more straightforward than any have been so far in the record. It's a cry out to God, that we need Him, and He can fix anything.
Nations stream and angels sing, "Jesus reigns"

Save me from my rage and my humanity! I'm more nothing than being, is this my legacy? Feel it eating me away!
Eating Me Away
After a slow start, this song is one of the heaviest on the record. Talking of how our imperfections and short comings can eat us alive, and how God has forgiven us from them, is
song stands out as the best on the record, in my opinion.
All that I am, all that I want, all that I lack, come on and save me!

Break my bones and reset me...
Kill Me, Heal Me
This song starts before you know Eating Me Away is over, and kicks off with blazing guitars that sound like they belong more on Skillet's next record, Collide. The industrial effects and the distorted voice during the verses are the only indications that this song belongs on this record. Pleading God to break us, and make us what He wants us to be, this song carries over a common theme from Invincible.
I can't live without it!

I wanna taste it, I need to taste it, deep in the Savior's arms.
The Thirst is Taking Over
An extremely creepy, dark song is next. Slow at first, but gets almost as heavy as Eating Me Away after the bridge, in the final 2 minutes. The song speaks from the point of view of someone who is demon possessed, crying out to Jesus to save them. Plenty of dark symbolism and a 6 and a half minute run time help cement this song as one of the most memorable on the record.
Hardly breathe, I'm in urgent need, You know the thirst is taking over.

Speak, and my heart starts aching. Reach, and the numbness dims. Beat, still my minds uncertain. Breathe, it begins again.
One Real Thing
The albums second ballad. This is actually my favorite ballad on the record. It's a praise song, straight from us to God. Plain and simple.
You are the One Real Thing, You are the One True Thing that I know. You are the One Real Thing no matter what the future brings, You're the One Real Thing! I get down on my knees and I feel Your Love wash over me!

The fear tries to take me, The flesh tries to pull. Blackness all around me but I'm undefeatable!
Stronger
Another song in the running for heaviest of the record, it has a heavy industrial sound that puts Marilyn Manson, Disturbed, and Nine Inch Nails to shame. Lyrically, it is straghtforward...I'm stronger than the devil. If we rely on God, evil cannot touch us.
All creation watches for Him to arrive!

You say that God is dead but you're rippin' me off!
Ripping Me Off
Another heavy song, but one that focuses more on the industrial aspect, even including an EXTREMELY distorted voice in the beginning. For those wondering, the voice is saying "I will always believe" or "I must believe" (I think it's the first one, but I've heard it both ways). The lyrics come from an interesting story of John Cooper attending a Marilyn Manson concert, and got angry because of how he was influencing the generation, and felt that he was "ripping them off".
They can't believe in a loving God Who doesn't believe in atheists!

As I fall to sleep, will You comfort me? When my heart is weak, will You rescue me?
Will You Be There?
The third ballad, this is a simple cry to God for help. The alternating vocals from John and Korey are beautifully done.
Will You be there as I grow cold? Will You be there when I'm falling down?

I'm out of touch, out of reach. But I'm running towards you and it's all I believe.
Come My Way
A piano ballad. Personally, I'd rather they didn't close on a ballad, but it's still a better closer than their Debut's. The lyrics are again, simple and unobstructed by metaphors. It's a cry out to God to notice you, and help you.
What would it take for You to walk towards me?

Ardent Worship

I am not reviewing a worship album. If you like worship music, go, buy it, enjoy it. If you don't, buy it anyway, just don't listen to it.

Invincible

5/10
Skillet's 2000 release, Invincible, brought their techno/electronic rock to a whole new level.

You're the best kept secret in my generation, the best kept secret of all time.
Best Kept Secret
Opening with blazing synthesizers, the song points out the sad truth that God is a secret, that too many people keep. It's a straightforward, great song.
And I can't live for myself, I can't keep this all to myself.

You take my rights away, you take control, no stopping you. You take my rights away, I can take it!
You Take My Rights Away
After a slow, techno intro, the song takes off and proves to be one of the heavier songs on the record. The song is another straightforward song about surrendering your life to God.
You define me with your identity, lose my life in you, I can take, I'll take what it cost me.

I'm invincible, I'm unshakeable through the truth in my soul.
Invincible
A slower techno song, it's still powerful. The song once again proves to be straightforward. It is about life after death. Jesus died for us so we could be with Him forever, making us invincible.
You know you just can't kill a man when he's dead, you know the spirit survives (Invincible!). You can't stop the advance of the kingdom to come, you know the truth is alive (Invincible!).

...and I come. And I rest in the shelter of Your love. And I rest in the wonder of Your grace. And I rest in the shelter of Your love. And I rest in the wonder of You.
Rest
The albums first ballad, it's actually one of my favorite songs on the album. The message is once again clear. We can also find strength and shelter in God.
Take all the old and You make it new. Everything I give to You. You're the hope that can pull me through. Hallelujah!

Come on, come on, come on to the future. Come all, come all the way. Come on, come on, come on to the future. The future is arranged.
Come on to the Future
Techno music laced with loud guitars makes one good song. The song itself would seem at first about destiny or fate, when really, if you read further in the lyrics, it's about the end of the world. It's about the coming of the Kingdom of God, and the Rapture. It's a song of hope, however, because when that day comes we will be set free from our sins. We will be set free from our pain, our shame, our past.
Invisible kingdom collides with space and time!

You're powerful, You're unshakeable!
You're Powerful
One of the heaviest, fastest songs on the record. This is basically a praise/worship song...Skillet style. Describing God as unchanging, omnipotent, and benevolent.
And when the ground begins to shake, and when my courage starts to fade, I let my fears go.

When I can't see, I will trust You! And when I get weak, I trust You! And when I just can't let it go, I trust that You are in control.
I Trust You
Another fairly heavy song, this song is about the difficult task of letting go of your own life and trusting that God knows what is best for you.
Caught in between knowing You and trusting me.

We must hold onto our faith in each other!
Each Other
The second ballad on the album, and the closest to a piano ballad a techno song can get. The
song is basically about trusting other people, whether it be to strenghten you, force you to be
accountable, or anything.
...But we gotta believe and stand together

It lives inside of me...The fire breathes!
The Fire Breathes
The heaviest song on the record, without a question. An excellent song about how, once the Word of God takes root in your heart, it will continue to spread. It will consume everything, and it is up to you to spread that fire to others, and let them know the Good News.
And I need life in this dead man to make me free!

Can't help but speak of what I've seen and heard. I understand just what the purpose is. Uncover peace; uncover hope for all to see. And I can't keep quiet, gotta shout it out to You! Say It Loud
A song that sounds like 80s rock combined with some techno. Basically a song similar to Best
Kept Secret, but the total opposite. The song is about spreading the Good News, to anyone and everyone.
Come right away to find the joy I've found. Don't hesitate to give up everything. Discover peace; discover hope, meaning of life. I've got to say it, gotta shout it out to You!

I carry on without knowing how, I've never needed how I'm needing now.
The One
Another ballad, this is a more typical praise song. Not much needs to be said more than that.
And You're the One that I need. The One who makes me complete. And You're the One who is strong When I am crying and weak. And You're the One that I love. The One who never gives up. And You're the One that I need. You're the One, You're the One.

The life inside is breaking out!
You're In My Brain
A final heavy song, it combines techno and hard rock similar to The Fire Breathes. The song is another one about giving your life to God, and letting Him take control.
You're in my mind, in my mind; Breaking out!

I saw angels fall down at the glory of the Lord and as I raise my hands I sing.
Angels Fall Down
A hidden worship song. Very slow, but somewhat haunting, the way Cooper's vocals combine with the music.
I saw angels fall down at the glory of the Lord the hurt and the broken find rest here.

Creation Festival 2009

After a long day of sitting in the hot HOT sun with next to nothing to eat or drink and no potty breaks, and suffering through Remedy Drive and Bluetree, Reggie Dabbs came on. He was excellent, but not who I was there to see (that didn't stop me from buying an mp3 version of his sermon). After Reggie, Skillet came on!

Their AMAZING new intro kicked things off (good quality video found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNDGNFRto-s), followed immediately by Whispers in the Dark, which is my personal favorite Comatose song they perform live. Next up was Better Than Drugs, which is a close second for me, as well as being my favorite lyrics from Comatose. Next up were Older I Get, Comatose (including the Comatose Tour intro, minus the countdown), and Best Kept Secret, with BKS being the best song out of the trio. Next up was a new song, Hero, with John giving a short speech on why exactly the world does need a Hero. John then gave his power ballad speech and played the chrous of I'll Be There For You by Bon Jovi, before playing Yours to Hold. The Last Night was next, with an awesome outro, followed by a Jen Ledger Drum Solo, which was awesome. I think she got about 6 proposals during it....anyway, John then handed his bass over to Scottyrock (their AWESOME tour manager), and continued into Those Nights, where he pulled the crowd cam (see the footage here: http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=12268788&blogID=498965303) Then John introduced another new song, Monster, which rocked the crowd. Then Tate and Jonathan got a Cello and Violin solo, respectively, before playing rebirthing with awesome spinny fireworks. The ended with Savior, with an awesome outro.

Things that were awesome: It's a Skillet show.....and they had PYRO...and fireworks...
Things I didn't like: They didn't have enough time, so they skipped Forsaken and How Deep The Father's Love For Us. They also didn't get their My Obsession encore.

Hey You, I Love Your Soul

I have to say, there was a period of time (about 2002-2009) that I would not listen to this album, despite owning it. I have started to again, but I don't know it well enough to do a track by track review.

An electronic alternative rock sound opens up Skillet's sophomore album in 1998, and shocks many listeners. Favorites include the title track, Locked in a Cage, Pour, and More Faithful. 4/10.

Skillet (album)

5/10
Skillet's 1996 debut album kicks off their career with a grunge sound.

When I feel the pain, I know why I feel strange. And when I hear the rooster crow, I am ashamed.
I Can
A typical grunge song, starting softly, picking up, getting soft, getting heavy, on and on and on. The lyrics are about someone who is lost or separated from God for some reason realizing that they can go back to Him.
Do you really love my soul, even after I hated you? And do you really know my name, can I really come to you? Are you really more faithful than the changing of the seasons and the morning sun? And do you really know my name? Can I really come to you? I can! I don't care if the rooster crows!

You want to soak my heart in gasoline, light a match and consume me. Soak my pride in gasoline. All of you and none of me!
Gasoline
Another typical grunge song, but slightly heavier than I Can. The lyrics describe being hurt, and wanting to protect our heart, and realizes that Jesus took all our sin away for us when he died for us.
I'm sitting with my heart out on the table next to a bloody mess that was once a man's heart. I looked at God and said "What do you want me to do with this?" He said "already done, already done, already done, that heart was Jesus"

Saturn has a ring around it, you can never see it with your eyes...
Saturn
The first ballad on the album. Nothing extraordinary. The lyrics kind of make fun of the fact that we can't see the rings around Saturn, but we believe that they are there. So then why don't we believe in Heaven and God, even if we can't see them?
Heaven has a ring around you! If you don't see it, know that it's true!

...oh, by the way, did you see me dressed in my-my beautiful robe?
My Beautiful Robe
A good grunge/rock song with a slight pop edge to the guitar. Lyrically, it is about trying to be perfect in the eyes of man, even though we cannot possibly hope to achieve perfection, or else Christ's sacrifice would have been worthless.
I was "crucified" with Christ, but how come I'm not dead? God gave me a cross, but I built my own instead...
***I would also like to explain the line I chose above: I believe that "crucified" is meant to mean that our physical bodies will die, and we have not been perfect. The question "how come I'm not dead" means: My sins should have condemned me to Hell, but why aren't I there?***

I am a promise maker, I-I am a promise breaker!
Promise Blender
Another pop-grunge tune. Talking about how we can make promises to man, and keep them, because they tend to be one time commitments. But we shouldn't make a promise to God, because those are for eternity, and we, being imperfect, cannot hope to keep those.
All I would heear You say is "you are the promise taker, you are the promise taker, you are the promise taker! Put them in your promise blender!

We cover up our shame, we walk in black and white, we turn this ground for hunger....WHY DID WE TAKE THAT BITE!?
Paint
A good grunge song about the first story in Genesis: God gave Adam and Eve everything anyone could want, and simply told them to not eat fruit from ONE specifiic tree. They did, and they lost it all. Why did they take that bite? But would anyone else have done something else if being tempted? Why would we take that bite? The choruses (paint me with an endless sunrise, paint me, yeah! paint me and open my eyes, paint me with the color of love) are asking God for forgiveness and direction, now that we have been lost to sin.
You took a walk on the planet, you gave us shade and light. You create mood and substance, how can I take a bite?

Safe with you, safe with you.
Safe With You
Another ballad, this time about the character of a loving God, who will protect us from Sin and a Second Death.
Lifting up my voice to the God who really sees, the God who is consumed with loving thoughts of me.

Come on, take your time. Try to choose the most believeable lie
You Thought
A song that starts off nice and heavy, then fades to what sounds like elavator music. The two sounds switch back and forth throughout the song. The song is about someone doing things, and faking regret. While it may fool man, God can see that you are not truly repentful.
To me it's no big surprise, I saw the emptiness in your eyes.

You have no boundaries. You cross my borders.
Boundaries
Not quite a ballad, but not as quite rocking as the rest of the album up to this point. The song is about letting God in your heart, and allowing Him to control of your life.
You are more than all that is outside of me. You are more than the riches inside of me.

Splinter me, splinter me...my heart, my head, splinter me.
Splinter
Musically in the same vein as Boundaries, and not an ideal closer for an album. The songs asks God to break us, and do His will to us.
Jesus whispered softly, Jesus shouted it out. His kingdom body is coming, but we nail Him up and hate each other.