When I was a young thrasher back in the 1980’s, my peers and I used to view Christian rock as something decidedly uncool, a kind of “metal-lite” peddled by bands like Petra and Stryper, but then came Skillet to completely rewrite the rules. Formed in 1996, this crew have delivered a diverse discography that’s incorporated everything from grunge to symphonic metal, all pulled together by their trademark punch. Propelled forwards by a restless spirit, album number twelve finds Skillet retaining their core sound whilst exploring new textures and have produced an album in Revolution that smokes like a political treatise.

When dealing in strong openers, they don’t come much more tenacious and pugnacious than ‘Showtime’. Coming out swinging, with wrecking ball force and with all fists flying, Skillet are like a bulldog; they’ll sink their teeth deep into you and refuse to let go. It’s the strong focus on melody and a knack for writing humongous riffs that gives ‘Showtime’ (and indeed, the whole album) an adhesive quality which ensures it won’t be forgotten in a hurry. In fact, if there was a way of measuring an album’s groove factor then Revolution would be off the Richter Scale. However, Skillet are musical dealers and they give us a sweet taste in ‘Showtime’ that spikes our interest and keeps us addicted for the rest of the record. I’m sure this track was written with one eye on the live environment and it would make the perfect set opener; imagine Skillet appearing against a backdrop of blinding white light whilst pyro flashes and ticker tape swirls through the air and you’ll have some of the excitement Skillet bottle on ‘Showtime’.

The swing and groove introduced on the first track will echo throughout the album, not only in the individual songs but in the flow of the record itself. It ululates like an old school long player and after a pair of punchy opening shots, Skillet take their foot of the pedal to deliver a more measured cut in ‘All That Matters’. That’s exactly how a record should roll and while it’s perfectly feasible to dip in and out of Revolution and experience the tracks individually, it’s best consumed whole to fully appreciate its highs and lows, ebb and flow. Aided by a tight, focused production, this album gives the impression that Skillet are gang, four musketeers with their backs to the wall and fighting as a unified force. It’s also the neat little tricks such as the metronomic tick on the poignant ‘Happy Wedding Day (Alex’s Song)’ that’ll keep the listener returning again and again. Departing as they arrived, ‘Death Defier’ brings the album full circle and ensures Skillet won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

Here’s your call. Time to join the Revolution.

• Revolution is released via Hear It Loud on 1st November 2024.
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Track List:

1. Showtime
2. Unpopular
3. All That Matters
4. Not Afraid
5. Revolution
6. Ash In The Wind
7. Fire Inside Of Me
8. Defector
9. Happy Wedding Day (Alex’s Song)
10. Death Defier