Skillet: Unleashed

New tunes from the new album are out and I didn't even notice lol.




I have enjoyed Skillet a lot during their long career and I am looking forward to the new addition to the Skillet resume. Stars kind of reminded me of their older albums with the electronic influence and the slow melody to go with it. I really hope more songs sound like that on Unleashed. Feel Invincible actually sounds like another typical Skillet song, haha. Not saying that's bad or anything but, it just sounds like another Rebirthing, Hero, Rise, etc. You know what I mean, haha. What do you guys think of the tracks so far? Are you a long time Skillet fan and going to pick it up regardless? Are you going to wait for more tracks to come out before making up your mind? What did you guys think of Rise, Comatose and the other albums after Invincible?

So far, these songs are extremely underwhelming.  They sound like Skillet is moving to the extreme pop side.  Their best albums were their debut, "Collide" and "Comatose".  If they continue in this vein, I probably won't keep buying their music.  I can get better rock than this from Disciple, Decyfer Down, Seventh Day Slumber, and even Kutless after they did the pop worship album.

I have pretty mixed feelings about them as a band. I enjoy some of their earlier, more industrial-based stuff, and Collide is an absolute beast of an album. Everything from Comatose forward has been mediocre or even below average to me. Despite my opinion on that, they've become almost universally looked to as the standard bearers of modern rock in the Christian scene during that time so I can't help but feel like they've been massively overrated for years now.

As for the new songs in particular, I think Stars is a surprisingly good pop/praise number although that's probably not what most people want from Skillet. On the other hand, I think Feel Invincible is pretty terrible. I'll probably pass on the album when it releases.

Skillet is a mainstay for me. I got to see them on the 'Collide' tour and it was FREAKING AWESOME! I love all of their music. Pop, rock, electronic, industrial, whatever. It's all good. Btw, 'Stars' is

I have everything but I don't like all they've done.  The more industrial albums I didn't care for.  The songwriting was immature and I didn't care for the electronica noise.  When they did "Collide", they learned to use those keys with a more symphoic approach which was killer!

The other thing I don't care about with Skillet now are the drums on the albums.    I loved Lori Peter's drumming.  She was a beast on those things and really took Skillet to new levels.  When Jen Ledger came in, the drums could be programmed.  There are so little fills that the performances sounded phoned in.  She sings well, but her drumming needs to step up in aggression to me.  She may be different live, but on the albums it is very subdued.

I liked the first album, then just lost interest in the band once I could tell they were going for a more easily digestible sound on Alien Youth.  I caught a few shows and those were pretty good.  Don't hate the band or anything, just not the edgy type of music I seek out.

I listened the album online, and geez, what happened to this band?

I really like the new album, its a solid release and there isnt a boring song on the album, I think with each release they get better. (much like Stryper) IMO

I don't care for the ballads that are just typical CCM radio worship songs.  The rest of the album is strong and is very much like "Comatose" to me.

alldatndensum wrote:I don't care for the ballads that are just typical CCM radio worship songs.  The rest of the album is strong and is very much like "Comatose" to me.

I agree especially, "I Want To Live"

Its got the "Comatose" violins thrown right in.

Better than Rise or Awake & Alive, worse than Collide or Comatose, which were the best ones they've done, IMO.

Best of the Jen Ledger-era Skillet, at least.

I thought it was on par with "Comatose" personally.

SpaceGuy wrote:Best of the Jen Ledger-era Skillet, at least.

Good way to put it

Not a huge fan of this album and I am a HUGE fan of SKillet. Not a big fan of the eletronic and lyrically, it seems to be a bit simple, more superficial.
Also I hate the effects on Jen's voice, she has a terrific voice, why does she need them? sounds stupid to me

I will give it more time but can't see this becoming a favourite

alldatndensum wrote:  When Jen Ledger came in, the drums could be programmed.  There are so little fills that the performances sounded phoned in.  She sings well, but her drumming needs to step up in aggression to me.  She may be different live, but on the albums it is very subdued.

I've only seen them once but I thought Jen was very good.

I'm not a drummer so I have no idea how good she was technically but sounded alright to me

Facet wrote:Also I hate the effects on Jen's voice, she has a terrific voice, why does she need them? sounds stupid to me

Yea, its a little over done in some spots, but their last album had it pretty tuned up as well.

Facet wrote:

alldatndensum wrote:  When Jen Ledger came in, the drums could be programmed.  There are so little fills that the performances sounded phoned in.  She sings well, but her drumming needs to step up in aggression to me.  She may be different live, but on the albums it is very subdued.

I've only seen them once but I thought Jen was very good.

I'm not a drummer so I have no idea how good she was technically but sounded alright to me

Ive seen them live a few times and I think she is a pretty good drummer, I agree on the recorded albums the drums dont seem as aggressive

I picked up Unleashed at Target(!) a month or so back. And.... meh
Musically it's not as good as the last couple of releases, but what bothers me the most is the lyrics. Kind of left me with that "Is this a Christian band?" vibe. Not much Christianity in the lyrics to my ears. Sad.

Skillet has been at that level for many albums.  Oh, they will have some that are more direct and in your face, but most of their stuff is written keeping a secular audience in mind.  If you are a Christian, their songs will have meaning because you will understand some of their phrases.  Take the song "Stars".  We automatically know that "to the one who holds the stars" means God to us.  A secular audience may or may not get that.  However, Skillet is known for explaining their content in concert even when they are on tours with non-Christian bands.  They are Christians and writing art that reflects their faith just in a more poetic, easier to receive format that might actually get someone outside the church to listen.  We all don't have to write worship tunes for use on CCM radio and for church use.  I love bold, in your face lyrics as much as anyone.  I also understand that sometimes you have to do things outside the box to get people without ears to hear to actually listen.

alldatndensum wrote:Skillet has been at that level for many albums.  Oh, they will have some that are more direct and in your face, but most of their stuff is written keeping a secular audience in mind.  If you are a Christian, their songs will have meaning because you will understand some of their phrases.  Take the song "Stars".  We automatically know that "to the one who holds the stars" means God to us.  A secular audience may or may not get that.  However, Skillet is known for explaining their content in concert even when they are on tours with non-Christian bands.  They are Christians and writing art that reflects their faith just in a more poetic, easier to receive format that might actually get someone outside the church to listen.  We all don't have to write worship tunes for use on CCM radio and for church use.  I love bold, in your face lyrics as much as anyone.  I also understand that sometimes you have to do things outside the box to get people without ears to hear to actually listen.

Yes! Exactly, one thing for sure is they never miss a chance to spread the gospel from the stage. I have seen them a few times with secular artists and they always preach about their faith like they are on Winterjam!

I Want to Live is the best song here