Memphis, TN · Christian rock

Skillet

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Christian rock's arena juggernaut — 'Monster' with a special production, pyro and strings at full budget.

Skillet formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1996, founded by bassist and vocalist John Cooper together with guitarist Ken Steorts. A local pastor suggested the band's name, comparing their mix of styles to a skillet where different ingredients get tossed together. Early drummer Trey McClurkin filled out the original lineup before Cooper's wife Korey Cooper joined on guitar and keyboards.

Skillet has released twelve studio albums since forming, and repeated lineup changes over the years have left John Cooper as its only original member. The current lineup, alongside John and Korey Cooper, includes drummer and vocalist Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison.

Skillet began within the Christian rock scene and gradually moved toward a heavier, more polished arena sound, adding orchestral arrangements and electronics to a base of hard rock and nu metal. The result draws on Christian metal and alternative rock as much as on straightforward hard rock.

Their commercial breakthrough came with the album Comatose, certified Platinum, and more decisively with Awake, certified Double Platinum, which produced "Monster," the song that became their most widely heard track and a fixture in sports and television soundtracks. "Monster" has since been certified six-times Platinum, and songs including "Hero," "Awake and Alive" and "Feel Invincible" have also reached multi-platinum sales.

Skillet's albums Collide and Comatose received Grammy nominations, and Rise and Unleashed have been certified Gold. The band has built a reputation for relentless touring, once ranked among the industry's hardest-working acts. Their live shows are built around large-scale production, and their lyrics retain the faith-based themes present from the start.

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Christian rock