Skillet

    Skillet

    Memphis, Tennessee16 reviews across 5 releases

    alternative metalalternative rockhard rockindustrial rock
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    Skillet is a Christian rock band from Memphis, Tennessee, formed in 1996 around singer and bassist John Cooper. The debut, Skillet, paired loud, crunchy guitars with a raspy vocal and lyrics that treated salvation as a struggle rather than a slogan. Its post-grunge frame could suggest the period's mainstream guitar rock, but the songs stood out for unusual spiritual metaphors, especially "Saturn" and "Gasoline." The 1998 Hey You, I Love Your Soul added keyboards and drum loops, moving into electronica without losing the band's urgency. By 2000, the electronic side had become a heavier industrial-rock hybrid. The 2001 record pushed that sound toward blunt evangelism and thick production, while the 2003 Collide reduced the electronic emphasis in favor of grinding guitars, pounding drums, and screamed vocals. The songwriting also moved from early poetic imagery toward more direct confession.

    Ken Steorts left in 1999, and Kevin Haaland took over guitar as Korey Cooper joined the working lineup. Trey McClurkin departed in 2000; Lori Peters replaced him, while Haaland gave way to Ben Kasica before Alien Youth. Kasica and Peters became part of the formation heard on Collide, but Peters left in 2008 and Jen Ledger took over the drums. Kasica left in 2011, followed briefly by Jonathan Salas before Seth Morrison became the guitarist. Skillet continued with John and Korey Cooper at its center, releasing records and touring internationally rather than ending after the early lineup changes. In 2024 the band issued Revolution as its first independent album. The band remains active in 2026, with a fall tour announced and After the Storm scheduled for October 9, 2026.

    5 releases reviewed