Skillet (band)

Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1996. The band currently consists of husband and wife John Cooper (lead vocals, bass) and Korey Cooper (rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals) along with Jen Ledger (drums, co-lead vocals) and Seth Morrison (lead guitar). The band has released twelve studio albums, two of which, Collide and Comatose, received Grammy nominations.<ref name="2007 grammy nomination">CCMMagazine.com: Skillet Closes Out 2007 With Grammy Nomination Template:Webarchive. Retrieved March 13, 2008.</ref> Two of their albums, Comatose and Awake, are certified Platinum and Double Platinum respectively by the RIAA, while Rise and Unleashed are certified Gold Template:As of.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Four of their songs, "Monster", "Hero", "Awake and Alive", and "Feel Invincible", are certified Multi-Platinum (6× Platinum, 3× Platinum, and 2× Platinum, respectively), while another three, "Whispers in the Dark", "Comatose", and "The Resistance" are certified Platinum, and another five, "Rebirthing", "Not Gonna Die", "The Last Night", "Legendary", and "Stars" are certified Gold.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Skillet went through several lineup changes early in their career, leaving founder John Cooper as the only original member remaining in the band. They are known for a relentless touring schedule, which garnered them a top five ranking in the Hardest Working Bands of 2010 by Songkick.com.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Band history

Early years (1996–2001)

Skillet formed in 1996 with two members: John Cooper, former vocalist for Tennessee progressive rock band Seraph, and Ken Steorts, former guitarist for Urgent Cry. The two bands met through touring together, but they disbanded soon after, so John and Ken's pastor encouraged them to form their own band as a side project.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> They decided to name the experiment "Skillet". After, Trey McClurkin joined the band as a temporary drummer. Skillet was only together for a month when they received interest from major Christian record label ForeFront Records. In 1996, they released their demo album Right Upside Your Head. On October 29 of the same year, they released a self-titled debut Skillet. It was well received, and the trio continued to write new material as they toured the United States.

Cooper has said the band's name was meant to be humorous, as the other founding members had already been in other bands, each with a different sound and style. The pastor of Covenant Community Church in Memphis—where the band was formed as a worship band side project—gave them their name as he felt they were like "southern cooking, where you just toss a bunch of different things into a big ol' skillet and see what it turns out like."<ref name="EofCCM">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

Skillet recorded their follow-up album throughout 1997, titled Hey You, I Love Your Soul, which was released in April 1998. Their second effort was a change in style from the band's first release. With this release, Skillet abandoned their grunge approach for a lighter industrial alternative rock and style. Cooper's wife Korey was enlisted soon after to play keyboards live in order to alleviate his performance duties.<ref name="Price">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Shortly before the band began recording for their third album, Invincible, Steorts left to be with his family and launch Visible Music College, and Kevin Haaland joined the band as their new guitarist. Korey Cooper joined the band permanently and played keyboards for the recording of Invincible. Because of this change, the musical style on Invincible changed to a more electronic sound.<ref name="Phantom Tollbooth">Template:Cite web</ref> Soon after the release of Invincible in early 2000, Trey McClurkin parted ways with Skillet, and Lori Peters filled the drummer's position.

The band released their first worship album and fourth album overall, Ardent Worship, in late 2000. The band kept much of their sound from Invincible on their next album Alien Youth.<ref name="Phantom Tollbooth" /> With little time between touring and recording, Skillet released Alien Youth on August 28, 2001, which was the first album that John Cooper took on production duties. Before the release of Alien Youth, Haaland left the band, and Ben Kasica took over on guitar.<ref name="Price"/>

Ardent and breakthrough (2003–2010)

Skillet performing live in 2008

In 2003, Collide, the band's fifth studio album, was released by Ardent Records and contained the singles "Savior" and "Collide". In 2004, the rights to Collide were bought by Lava Records, an imprint of Atlantic Records. On May 25, 2004, Collide was re-released by Lava Records, with "Open Wounds" as an added track. The album was nominated for "Best Rock Gospel Album" in 2005.

Citing P.O.D. as inspiration for the musical shift on Collide, Cooper said, "Well I'm one of these song writers, everything I hear goes through my John Cooper filter of what I like and what I don't like. ... All these things ... have been an influence on me."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Skillet's album Comatose was released on October 3, 2006. It features the singles "Rebirthing", "Whispers in the Dark", "Comatose", "The Older I Get", "Those Nights", "The Last Night" and "Better Than Drugs". The album debuted at No. 55 on the Billboard 200 and No. 4 on the US Top Christian Albums chart.<ref name="autogenerated1">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In January 2008, Skillet announced that their drummer, Lori Peters, was retiring from the band, feeling that "it's time for her to come off of the road and start a new chapter in her life".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Peters' last concert with Skillet was on December 31, 2007.<ref name="Skillet News: new drummer">Template:Cite web</ref> However, during the 2007 Christmas season, she took the time to train Skillet's next drummer, Jen Ledger.<ref name="Skillet News: new drummer" />

On October 21, 2008, Comatose Comes Alive was released; a CD/DVD combo featuring live recordings of the band's May 9, 2008, concert in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was shown on the Gospel Music Channel on December 5, 2008. Skillet's Comatose Comes Alive CD also had a B-side with "Live Free or Let Me Die" as a single, also with five acoustic tracks which purchasers could download by inserting the CD in their computer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Comatose album was certified Gold and Platinum in sales by the RIAA on November 3, 2009, and May 20, 2016, respectively.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Skillet's seventh album, Awake,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> contains twelve songs and was released on August 25, 2009.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It charted at No. 2 on the Billboard top 200 selling around 68,000 units in its first week.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> "Monster" was released as a single on July 14, 2009. Contrary to popular belief, John Cooper stated that "Hero" was not the album's lead single. It was, however, released as a single in March 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They also released a deluxe version with the extra songs "Dead Inside" and "Would It Matter", along with the original, radio edit of "Monster" that does not have the distorted growl as in the single and in the CD. A remix on "Monster" was featured on one of their popular podcasts. The song "Hero" was used in the publicizing of the first football game of the 2009 NFL season between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans, and the song "Monster" was used in the episode "Jason: The Pretty-Boy Bully" on MTV's Bully Beatdown.

"Monster" was the theme song for the WWE event WWE Hell in a Cell, while the song "Hero" was the theme song for WWE Tribute to the Troops and Royal Rumble 2010. Both songs were included on the official soundtrack for the WWE video game WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010. "Monster" also became the theme song for the AHL team the Cleveland Monsters, being played in the player intros and after a Cleveland goal, and it serves as the opening theme of the Fresno Monsters of Fresno, California. The song was aired at the beginning of several ACC football games on Raycom Sports during the 2009 season. In the first week of April 2010, "Monster" was released for the Rock band music store in Rock Band 2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Awake also tied the record for highest-charting Christian album on the Billboard 200 with Underoath's 2006 release Define the Great Line and Casting Crowns's 2007 release The Altar and the Door; all three albums debuted at No. 2.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Skillet was nominated for six Dove Awards for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Awake was certified gold July 2, 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Also in 2010, Ardent released The Early Years, a collection of their songs from 1996 to 2001. On November 12, Skillet released an iTunes sessions EP consisting of songs from Comatose and Awake.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "Monster" was certified gold a day later.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2011–2020

On February 14, 2011, Skillet officially announced that longtime lead guitarist Ben Kasica would be leaving the band. Kasica was with the band for 10 years, contributing to the albums Alien Youth, Collide, Comatose, and Awake as well as the live album Comatose Comes Alive. He played what was planned to be his last concert with the band on March 20,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but returned and continued touring until a new guitarist was trained.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On April 16, Seth Morrison replaced Kasica as the lead guitarist, and now tours full-time with Skillet.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Unreliable source?

Skillet announced the release of Awake and Remixed EP in early March 2011. The remixes were mainly done by Korey Cooper and Ben Kasica. On March 2, 2011, Skillet unveiled the album artwork for the album. John Cooper says the idea was conceived when Korey Cooper and Ben Kasica remixed the song Monster for their popular podcast. The four-song EP was released on March 22.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Awake was nominated for and won the "Top Christian Album" Award at the Billboard Music Awards 2011, and the song "Awake and Alive" was announced to be on the Transformers: Dark of the Moon Soundtrack in May 2011.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On June 21, 2011, John posted to his Twitter account that the band rehearsed new music for the first time and that they are getting ready for a new album.<ref name="twitternewmusic">Template:Cite web</ref> At a question and answer session before a concert, John Cooper said that they would be recording a new record in January/February 2012. However, the band was then scheduled to headline the Winter Jam Tour. They planned to enter the studio at the conclusion of the Winter Jam eastern tour, approximately in May, for a release in late 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In an interview with CCM Magazine, John Cooper described the new album as "a roller coaster ride". He stated: "We have aggressive tracks, artsy and musical tracks, which is new territory for Skillet. A couple songs are classic American heartland anthems, and a couple songs are signature symphonic-classical rock Skillet. Guitars are dirty and edgier, with absolute shredding solos by Seth." One of the songs mentioned in the interview was titled "Salvation".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In an interview on January 26, 2013, in Beaumont, Texas, John Cooper announced that the new album, Rise, would be coming out in May 2013,<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but was later scheduled for a June 25, 2013, release.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In an interview with NoiseCreep, John Cooper stated the first single and music video is scheduled to be released by late April.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The first single from the album, "Sick of It", will be released to US Rock radio on April 23, 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was later confirmed that the first single, "Sick of It", would be released on April 9, 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album debuted at No.4 on the Billboard 200 and No.1 on the Top Rock Chart and Christian Album charts selling 60,000 copies in US alone during the first week of the release.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> On July 12, 2016, Rise was certified Gold by the RIAA.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On June 21, 2013, the band released a deluxe version of the album.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

The band performed the title track of Rise on the July 11, 2013, airing of Conan.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Skillet was nominated and won a Dove Award for Rock Song of the Year for their song "Sick of It".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Vital Signs, a compilation album released exclusively in Europe, was released October 13, 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On February 16, 2015, Skillet announced they were writing material for a new album with recording to begin in June with a potential release in the late half of 2015 or early 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On April 8, 2016, Skillet released a preview of a new song, later revealed to be called "Out of Hell", on their social media pages.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On May 20, 2016, the album's title, Unleashed, was announced and later was released on August 5, 2016, on Atlantic Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A lyric video, "Feel Invincible", was also made available.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On May 26, the lyric video and digital single "Stars" was released, along with a preview for another song titled "Back From the Dead".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On June 6, it was announced that "Feel Invincible" was the theme song for TBS' E-League, the live video game tournament.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> WWE announced on July 7 that it had chosen "Feel Invincible" as an official theme for WWE Battleground.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> On July 8, the full version of "Back From the Dead" was made available for purchase online.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> On January 27, 2017, the band released a new recording of "Stars" with an acoustic style, which was included in the film, The Shack.<ref>Template:CitationTemplate:Cbignore</ref> On November 17, 2017, they released a deluxe edition, Unleashed Beyond, containing new material such as "Breaking Free", featuring Lacey Sturm and remixes of "Feel Invincible" and "The Resistance".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Skillet also released a five-track EP containing remixes of "Feel Invincible". This was available to anyone who pre-ordered Unleashed Beyond from their website.Template:Citation needed

On May 5, 2019, Billboard ran an article about Skillet's upcoming album tenth studio album, Victorious, where they mentioned that the band had sold over 12 million units worldwide.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The band released "Legendary" on May 7, 2019, as the first single off Victorious. On June 14, 2019, the band released two new singles: "Save Me" and "Anchor."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 27, the band released another single: "You Ain't Ready".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The album was released on August 2, 2019.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

On September 20, 2019, "Legendary" was debuted as a theme song of WWE Raw.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2020 to present

Victorious: The Aftermath, the deluxe edition of the album, was released on September 11, 2020. This edition included all 12 original tracks from Victorious (2019), plus 8 additional tracks: 2 new unreleased songs ("Dead Man Walking", "Sick and Empty"), 5 reimagined versions (e.g., "Save Me", "Terrify the Dark"), and alternate mixes ("Legendary - Destiny Remix")<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In March 2021, John Cooper received backlash concerning comments he made on the 2021 Grammys, particularly the live performance of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion and their song "WAP". He argued that this exemplified society "redefining good as evil". He cited historical dictators like Hitler who "claimed liberation while committing atrocities".<ref name="nme.com">Template:Cite web</ref> Cooper later clarified that he "did not compare Cardi B to Hitler", emphasizing that his intent was to critique moral relativism in culture.<ref name="nme.com"/>

"Surviving the Game", Skillet's first single in a year, was released on September 15, 2021,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band also announced their eleventh studio album, Dominion, which was released on January 14, 2022 and was Skillet's final album with Atlantic Records after a 20-year partnership. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Produced by Kane Churko, Kevin Churko, and Seth Mosley, it blended hard rock with lyrical themes of resilience (e.g., Surviving the Game) and spiritual warfare (White Horse). This was followed by the release of three other singles: "Standing in the Storm" on November 12, 2021,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "Refuge" on December 10, 2021,<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> and the title track, "Dominion", on January 7, 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The album debuted at #38 on the Billboard 200, #2 on US Christian Albums, and #4 on US Top Rock Albums. Internationally, it reached #18 in Switzerland and #36 in Germany. On December 9, 2022, Skillet released the fourth single from the album, "Psycho in My Head",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and announced the deluxe edition of the album, Dominion: Day of Destiny, which was released on February 17, 2023 and added 5 tracks, including "Finish Line" (featuring Adam Gontier).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On February 3, 2023, it was announced that "Psycho in My Head" was the theme song for WWE's Elimination Chamber 2023.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On August 9, 2024, Skillet released the lead single "Unpopular", that signaled a return to socio-political commentary, and announced their twelfth album Revolution. It was released independently on November 1, 2024, under Skillet's label Hear It Loud. The album debuted at #100 on the Billboard 200 and #14 on Top Rock Albums, marking their lowest-charting main album since 2003's Collide but affirming their core fanbase<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Musical style

The band's style has been described as Christian rock,<ref name="AM">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="billboard-1">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="HitFix">Template:Cite news</ref> Christian metal,<ref name="MoveMag">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> alternative rock,<ref name="AM" /><ref name="billboard-1" /> hard rock,<ref name="billboard-1" /><ref name="HitFix" /> nu metal,<ref name=MoveMag/> post-grunge,<ref name="rise-review-allmusic">Template:Cite web</ref> and symphonic metal.<ref name="MoveMag" /> The band's eponymous debut album was characterized by its grunge influences, while their follow-up album, Hey You, I Love Your Soul, was noted for "its electronic elements and industrial feel".<ref name="HeyYouILoveYourSoul Review">Template:Cite web</ref> Their music can also be described as an aspiration; according to Cooper's idea for a perfect music is to 'unite' individuals spiritually and socially.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Allmusic reviewer James Christopher Monger described the band's musical style as a fusion of "alt-metal, hard rock, post-grunge, and soaring alternative rock", in his review for the band's 2013 album, Rise.<ref name="rise-review-allmusic"/>

Touring

In the middle of 2005, Korey Cooper took a break from performing, due to her pregnancy with their second child. Her rhythm guitar and keyboard roles were temporarily filled by two people: Andrea Winchell (who would later become the Coopers' nanny) on keys and Chris Marvin (lead singer/guitar of The Spark) on guitar.

Skillet toured with Ron Luce and Teen Mania Ministries on their Acquire The Fire Tour across the United States and Canada in 2007. When they returned, Skillet had plans to co-headline the Justice & Mercy Tour with Flyleaf, but the tour was postponed and ultimately canceled after a number of shows due to Flyleaf lead vocalist Lacey Mosley's vocal problems. They then toured with Luce's Global Expeditions program on a summer missions trip with teenagers to Mexico. In 2008, they joined Teen Mania Ministries and toured with Acquire the Fire.

Skillet joined Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, and Seether on the first half of their tour in fall 2007.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Then Skillet headlined their own Comatose Tour alongside Thousand Foot Krutch and traveled to approximately 30 cities. The tour started on March 28 and ran through May 11, 2008.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Skillet toured again from April 2009 through June 2009 with Decyfer Down and Disciple. This tour was called Comatose Tour 2009 (essentially a second branch of the 2008 Comatose Tour). In fall of 2009, Skillet began touring with Hawk Nelson, Decyfer Down, and The Letter Black to promote Skillet's album Awake. The Awake & Alive Tour encompassed 52 cities from October through January.

Skillet performing at Cornerstone Festival 2010

Skillet appeared at the 2009 Night of Joy Christian rock festival at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This marked the band's first absence from Universal Studios Orlando's Rock the Universe in five years due to conflicting schedules. However, they were able to perform the following year, in 2010. On September 26, 2009, Skillet appeared at Awakening Music Festival in Leesburg, Virginia, alongside Jeremy Camp, Kutless, Hawk Nelson, Disciple, Decyfer Down, and others. Skillet also played at the Super Dome in New Orleans for the ELCA National Youth Gathering in 2009.

In January 2010, they toured with Puddle of Mudd and Shinedown through the East Coast of the United States.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They also announced on their live chat with fans on December 5, 2009, that they would be touring with TobyMac in March and April 2010. This was later expanded upon as the "Awake Tonight Tour" named after both artists' new albums.<ref>[1] Template:Webarchive</ref> House of Heroes joined them on the tour as the opening act. In April and May, the band continued on a second branch of their Awake and Alive tour with The Letter Black and Red.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In April, it was also announced that the band would be touring with Creed and Theft in August and September 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October, the band would be co-headlining the "Monsters of Annihilation Tour" with Papa Roach. Trapt and My Darkest Days will be supporting acts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They toured again with TobyMac in November and December as the 2010 version of the Winter Wonder Slam tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 4, Skillet played at Creation Festival East, and John Cooper called it the best show of Skillet's career.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In January 2011, Skillet confirmed that they would be touring with Stone Sour and Theory of a Deadman on the Avalanche Tour. The tour began at the end of March 2011 and concluded on May 8 in Jacksonville, FL. Other supporting acts include Halestorm and Art of Dying.Template:Citation needed The band had a small international tour in January and February 2011 visiting Australia,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> New Zealand's Parachute Music Festival,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Japan.Template:Citation needed In October 2011, the band continued their Awake and Alive tour with Disciple, We as Human, and Manafest.Template:Citation needed

Skillet headlined the Winter Jam Tour 2012 for the central and eastern parts of the United States.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Starting on August 13, 2013, Skillet toured with Shinedown, Papa Roach, and In This Moment on the Carnival of Madness Tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October and November, the band arrives Europe supporting Nickelback's tour in 21 shows.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band closed the year headlining their own tour in Russia and a show in Ukraine.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Skillet started co-headlining the Roadshow 2014 with Third Day during January and February.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Upon completion, the band continued coheadlining alongside Third Day in a spring tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later in May, toured with TobyMac and Lecrae in the Summer Shed Tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Starting in the end of May, the band traveled to be part of European festivals during six weeks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In August and September, they joined Godsmack, Seether, and Buckcherry in the Rockstar Uproar Festival in twenty one American cities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October and November, the band had its own tour in Europe and Russia, offering 22 shows.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Starting January 2, 2015, they co-headlined the Winter Jam Tour 2015 in the central and eastern part of the United States alongside Jeremy Camp.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They were also part of the Winter Jam Tour 2015 West Coast.

On May 11, 2016, Skillet announced a European tour from May 28 through July 3 including Rock am Ring.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In July, it was announced that Skillet would be going on a headlining Unleashed Tour with Sick Puppies, Thousand Foot Krutch, and Devour the Day, playing at club-sized venues in 18 cities primarily located along the East Coast of the United States to take place during September and October 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In December 2016, a 27-city, second leg of the tour was announced.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Opening for Skillet on this second leg were Sick Puppies and Devour the Day.

In 2017, Skillet opened for Korn and Stone Sour on the second half of The Serenity of Summer Tour which started in Syracuse, New York on July 19 and finished in Cleveland, Ohio August 2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Starting November 5, 2017, Skillet headlined on the Air1 Positive Hits Tour across the central United States.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2018, Skillet headlined the Winter Jam tour for the third time, making it their fourth appearance to date.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In January 2018, Skillet, along with For King & Country announced the "joy. UNLEASHED" tour in April 2018, hitting a handful of mid-western and southern US cities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Primary source inline

In 2019, Skillet had a 20-city US tour with Sevendust from August 11 through September 7, 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They will also be on tour in the US with Alter Bridge, with a stop in Toronto and Quebec.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Primary source inline.

In 2021, Skillet headlined the Drive-in Theater Tour with support from Colton Dixon and Jordan Feliz.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2022, Skillet headlined the Winter Jam tour for the fourth time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2023, the band co-headlined the Rock Resurrection tour with Theory of a Deadman and Saint Asonia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They performed on the Fourth of July 2023 at the National Cherry Festival<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> in Traverse City Michigan alongside Theory of a Deadman. The band also embarked on the Day of Destiny Tour in spring 2023 in Europe, featuring Like a Storm and Eva Under Fire.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Other projects

In April 2018, Jen Ledger began pursuit of her solo career by joining with Korey Cooper. They formed as Ledger and released a self-titled EP, along with a new single "Not Dead Yet".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

In September 2018, John Cooper and Seth Morrison formed a new side project, Fight the Fury. Alongside John Panzer III and Jared Ward, they released an EP, Still Breathing, with a new single, "My Demons".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Band members

Template:Col-begin Template:Col-2 Current

• John Cooper – lead vocals, bass (1996–present); keyboards (1996–1999)
• Korey Cooper – keyboards, synthesizers, rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1999–present)
• Jen Ledger – drums, backing and occasional lead vocals (2008–present)
• Seth Morrison – lead guitar (2011–present); live backing vocals (2019–present)

Former

• Ken Steorts – guitars (1996–1999)
• Trey McClurkin – drums (1996–2000)
• Kevin Haaland – lead guitar (1999–2001)
• Lori Peters – drums (2000–2008)
• Ben Kasica – lead guitar, occasional backing vocals (2001–2011)
• Jonathan Salas – lead guitar (2011)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Current touring and session musicians

• Tate Olsen – cello (2008–present)

Former touring and session musicians

• Billy Dawson – guitars (2000)
• Chris Marvin – guitars, backing vocals (2002–2003, 2005–2006)
• Faith Stern – keyboards, backing vocals (2002–2003)
• Andrea Winchell – keyboards (2005–2006)
• Scotty Rock – bass (2009–2011)
• Jonathan Chu – violin (2008–2016)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Drew Griffin – violin (2017)
• Lacey Sturm – vocals (2019)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Jarob Bramlett – drums (2019)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Timeline

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bar:John       from:01/01/1996  till:end         color:Bass     width:3
bar:John       from:01/01/1996  till:11/20/1999  color:Keyboard width:7
bar:Steorts    from:01/01/1996  till:11/20/1999  color:Lguitar
bar:Steorts    from:01/01/1996  till:11/20/1999  color:Rguitar  width:3
bar:Haaland    from:11/20/1999  till:03/28/2001  color:Lguitar
bar:Kasica     from:03/28/2001  till:03/01/2011  color:Lguitar
bar:Salas      from:03/01/2011  till:04/01/2011  color:Lguitar
bar:Kasica     from:04/01/2011  till:05/01/2011  color:Lguitar
bar:Morrison   from:05/01/2011  till:end         color:Lguitar
bar:Morrison   from:01/01/2019  till:end         color:Bvocals  width:3
bar:Korey      from:11/20/1999  till:end         color:Keyboard
bar:Korey      from:11/20/1999  till:end         color:Bvocals  width:3
bar:Korey      from:11/20/1999  till:end         color:Rguitar  width:7
bar:McClurkin  from:01/01/1996  till:11/20/1999  color:Drums
bar:Peters     from:01/20/2000  till:01/01/2008  color:Drums
bar:Ledger     from:01/01/2008  till:end         color:Drums
bar:Ledger     from:01/01/2008  till:end         color:Lvocals  width:3
bar:Ledger     from:01/01/2008  till:end         color:Bvocals  width:7

</timeline>

Discography

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

Studio albums

• Skillet (1996)
• Hey You, I Love Your Soul (1998)
• Invincible (2000)
• Alien Youth (2001)
• Collide (2003)
• Comatose (2006)
• Awake (2009)
• Rise (2013)
• Unleashed (2016)
• Victorious (2019)
• Dominion (2022)
• Revolution (2024)

Awards and recognition

Template:More citations needed section Skillet was recognized on February 1, 2016, as having recorded the biggest digital single in the history of Christian music since their song "Monster" had garnered over 2.6 million sales. It was certified 2× Platinum by the RIAA, was the number one streaming Christian song of 2015, and was the number eight streaming rock song of 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On their site in 2019, Skillet announced the RIAA had certified "Monster" 3× Platinum and "Hero" 2× Platinum. The article also stated that "Monster" had over 3 billion global audio streams, while "Hero" hit more than 1 billion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Year	Award	Nominee	Category	Result	Source
2002	GMA Dove Awards	"Alien Youth"	Rock Song of the Year	Template:Nom
			Modern Rock Recorded Song of the Year	Template:Nom
2003		"Vapor"	Hard Music Recorded Song of the Year	Template:Nom
2004		"Savior"	Modern Rock Recorded Song of the Year	Template:Nom
2005	Grammy Award	Collide	Best Rock Gospel Album	Template:Nom
2007		Comatose		Template:Nom
	GMA Dove Awards		Rock Album of the Year	Template:Nom
		"Rebirthing"	Rock Song of the Year	Template:Nom
		Skillet	Artist of the Year	Template:Nom
2008		"Comatose"	Rock Song of the Year	Template:Won
		Skillet	Artist of the Year	Template:Nom
2009			Group of the Year	Template:Nom
		Comatose Comes Alive	Rock Album of the Year	Template:Nom
			Long Form Music Video of the Year	Template:Nom
2010		Skillet	Artist of the Year	Template:Nom
			Group of the Year	Template:Nom
		"Hero"	Rock Song of the Year	Template:Nom
			Short Form Music Video of the Year	Template:Nom
		"Monster"		Template:Nom
		Awake	Rock Album of the Year	Template:Nom
2011	Billboard Music Award		Christian Album	Template:Won
2011	GMA Dove Awards	"One Day Too Late"	Rock Song of the Year	Template:Nom
		"Lucy"	Rock Song of the Year	Template:Nom
2012	Drummies! Award	Jen Ledger	Rising Star	Template:Won	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
			Independent Drummer	Template:Nom
2013	GMA Dove Awards	"Sick of It"	Rock Song of the Year	Template:Won
	Loudwire Music Awards	Rise	Rock Album of 2013	Template:Won	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	HM Awards		Best Album	Template:Won	<ref name="youtube.com">Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref>
		Skillet	Best Band	Template:Won	<ref name="youtube.com" />
			Best HM Cover	Template:Won	<ref name="youtube.com" />
2014	Billboard Music Award		Christian Artist	Template:Nom
		Rise	Christian Album	Template:Nom
	GMA Dove Awards		Rock Album of the Year	Template:Won
		"Not Gonna Die"	Rock Song of the Year	Template:Won
2015		"Good to Be Alive"		Template:Won
2017	Billboard Music Award	Skillet	Top Christian Artist	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
		Unleashed	Top Christian Album	Template:Nom
		"Feel Invincible"	Top Christian Song	Template:Nom
	GMA Dove Awards		Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
		Unleashed	Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year	Template:Nom
2018		Unleashed Beyond		Template:Won	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
		"Brave"	Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year	Template:Nom
2020		"Legendary"		Template:Won	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
		Victorious	Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year	Template:Won
	Billboard Music Award		Top Christian Album	Template:Nom	<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

External links

• Template:Official website
• Skillet on Spotify
• Template:YouTube