Skillet

Biography

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, vocals) and Seth Morrison (lead guitar). The band has released twelve studio albums, two of which, Collide×Collide18 November 2003 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Forsaken4:122Savior4:343Collide5:394A Little More4:495My Obsession5:006Fingernails5:077Imperfection4:078Under My Skin4:069Energy3:5710Cycle Down3:59 and Comatose×Comatose3 October 2006 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Rebirthing3:552The Last Night3:343Yours to Hold3:454Better Than Drugs4:005Comatose3:536The Older I Get3:407Those Nights3:498Falling Inside the Black3:329Say Goodbye4:1910Whispers in the Dark3:2611Looking for Angels4:31, received Grammy nominations. Three of their albums, Comatose, Unleashed×Unleashed8 July 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks1Feel Invincible3:492Back From the Dead3:333Stars3:474I Want to Live3:285Undefeated3:356Famous3:187Lions3:248Out of Hell3:349Burn It Down3:1610Watching for Comets3:2911Saviors of the World3:4612The Resistance3:5213Breaking Free3:5214Stay Til the Daylight3:4615Brave3:4916You Get Me High3:1717Set It Off3:4918Feel Invincible (Death Tiger Remix)3:4219The Resistance (SOLI Remix)3:5220Stars (Film Version)4:05, and Awake×Awake21 August 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Hero3:072Monster2:583Don’t Wake Me3:554Awake and Alive3:295One Day Too Late3:406It’s Not Me It’s You3:257Should’ve When You Could’ve3:318Believe3:519Forgiven3:3910Sometimes3:2711Never Surrender3:3012Lucy3:3813Dead Inside2:5714Would It Matter4:1215Monster (alternate radio version)2:58, are certified Platinum and double platinum respectively by the RIAA, while Rise is certified Gold as of September 17, 2026. Four of their songs, "Monster×Monster14 July 2009 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Monster2:58", "Hero", "Awake and Alive×Awake and Alive2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Awake and Alive3:31", and "Feel Invincible×Feel Invincible20 May 2016 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Feel Invincible3:49", are certified Multi-Platinum (7× Platinum, 4× Platinum, 3× Platinum, and 3× Platinum, respectively), while another four, "Whispers in the Dark×Whispers in the Dark19 September 2006 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Whispers In the Dark (Radio Edit)3:13", "Comatose", "Not Gonna Die×Not Gonna Die11 June 2013 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Not Gonna Die3:45", and "The Resistance" are certified Platinum, and another nine, "Rebirthing", "The Last Night", "Falling Inside the Black", "Rise", "Sick of It×Sick of It9 April 2013 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Sick of It3:11", "Back from the Dead×Back From the Dead8 July 2016 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Back From the Dead3:33", "Legendary×Legendary8 May 2019 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Legendary4:05", "Finish Line×Finish Line20 January 2023 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Finish Line3:272Psycho in My Head" and "Stars×Stars26 May 2016 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Stars3:45" are certified Gold.
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.

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. 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".
Skillet recorded their follow-up album throughout 1997, titled Hey You, I Love Your Soul×Hey You, I Love Your Soul21 April 1998 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube MusicTracklist · 12 tracks1Hey You, I Love Your Soul2:592Deeper3:483Locked in a Cage3:554Your Love (Keeps Me Alive)3:565More Faithful3:456Pour4:197Suspended in You3:098Take4:139Coming Down5:0710Whirlwind4:0211Dive Over In3:4312Scarecrow4:17, 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.

Shortly before the band began recording for their third album, Invincible×Invincible1 February 2000 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube MusicTracklist · 12 tracks1Best Kept Secret3:552You Take My Rights Away4:323Invincible3:524Rest3:485Come On to the Future3:546You’re Powerful3:267I Trust You3:388Each Other3:269The Fire Breathes3:4210Say It Loud3:3211The One4:1212You’re in My Brain / Angels Fall Down10:40, Korey Cooper joined the band permanently on keyboards. Not long after, Steorts left to be with his family and launch Visible Music College, although he would run their website for the next few years. He played his final show with the band on August 29, 1999. The band also announced that drummer Trey McClurkin would be leaving the band at the end of the year. Scottish guitarist Allister Kelly would fill in for Steorts on the band's Worship Tour, and soon after they choose Kevin Haaland as the official replacement. All of these changes lead to a musical shift on Invincible, with the album taking on a more electronic sound. On January 18, 2000, McClurkin played his final show with the band, and Lori Peters took over. Invincible was released on February 1, 2000.
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×Alien Youth28 August 2001 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Alien Youth4:112Vapor3:393Earth Invasion4:474You Are My Hope4:155Eating Me Away3:386Kill Me Heal Me3:367The Thirst Is Taking Over6:338One Real Thing3:359Stronger4:0710Rippin’ Me Off4:4611Will You Be There5:0912Come My Way5:02. With little time between touring and recording, Skillet released Alien Youth on August 28, 2001. Before the album's release, Haaland left the band, and Ben Kasica took over on guitar.

Ardent and breakthrough (2003–2010)

In 2003, Collide, the band's fifth studio album, was released by Ardent Records and contained the singles "Savior×Savior6 April 2004 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Savior (Edit)4:01" and "Collide×Collide18 November 2003 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Forsaken4:122Savior4:343Collide5:394A Little More4:495My Obsession5:006Fingernails5:077Imperfection4:078Under My Skin4:069Energy3:5710Cycle Down3:59". 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."
Skillet's album Comatose×Comatose3 October 2006 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Rebirthing3:552The Last Night3:343Yours to Hold3:454Better Than Drugs4:005Comatose3:536The Older I Get3:407Those Nights3:498Falling Inside the Black3:329Say Goodbye4:1910Whispers in the Dark3:2611Looking for Angels4:31 was released on October 3, 2006. It features the singles "Rebirthing", "Whispers in the Dark×Whispers in the Dark19 September 2006 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Whispers In the Dark (Radio Edit)3:13", "Comatose", "The Older I Get×The Older I Get27 February 2007 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 4 tracks1The Older I Get (rock radio mix)3:392The Older I Get (acoustic version)3:293Yours to Hold (acoustic version)3:424The Older I Get (edited from studio footage)3:40", "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.
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". Peters' last concert with Skillet was on December 31, 2007. However, during the 2007 Christmas season, she took the time to train Skillet's next drummer, Jen Ledger.

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.
The Comatose album was certified Gold and Platinum in sales by the RIAA on November 3, 2009, and May 20, 2016, respectively.
Skillet's seventh album, Awake×Awake21 August 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Hero3:072Monster2:583Don’t Wake Me3:554Awake and Alive3:295One Day Too Late3:406It’s Not Me It’s You3:257Should’ve When You Could’ve3:318Believe3:519Forgiven3:3910Sometimes3:2711Never Surrender3:3012Lucy3:3813Dead Inside2:5714Would It Matter4:1215Monster (alternate radio version)2:58, contains twelve songs and was released on August 25, 2009. It charted at No. 2 on the Billboard top 200 selling around 68,000 units in its first week. "Monster×Monster14 July 2009 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Monster2:58" 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. 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. 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.
Skillet was nominated for six Dove Awards for the 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards. Awake was certified gold July 2, 2010. 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. "Monster" was certified gold a day later.

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×Alien Youth28 August 2001 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Alien Youth4:112Vapor3:393Earth Invasion4:474You Are My Hope4:155Eating Me Away3:386Kill Me Heal Me3:367The Thirst Is Taking Over6:338One Real Thing3:359Stronger4:0710Rippin’ Me Off4:4611Will You Be There5:0912Come My Way5:02, Collide×Collide18 November 2003 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Forsaken4:122Savior4:343Collide5:394A Little More4:495My Obsession5:006Fingernails5:077Imperfection4:078Under My Skin4:069Energy3:5710Cycle Down3:59, Comatose×Comatose3 October 2006 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Rebirthing3:552The Last Night3:343Yours to Hold3:454Better Than Drugs4:005Comatose3:536The Older I Get3:407Those Nights3:498Falling Inside the Black3:329Say Goodbye4:1910Whispers in the Dark3:2611Looking for Angels4:31, and Awake×Awake21 August 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Hero3:072Monster2:583Don’t Wake Me3:554Awake and Alive3:295One Day Too Late3:406It’s Not Me It’s You3:257Should’ve When You Could’ve3:318Believe3:519Forgiven3:3910Sometimes3:2711Never Surrender3:3012Lucy3:3813Dead Inside2:5714Would It Matter4:1215Monster (alternate radio version)2:58 as well as the live album Comatose Comes Alive×Comatose Comes Alive20 October 2008 · Album · LiveSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 21 tracks1Intro (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)2:142Comatose (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)3:523Whispers in the Dark (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)3:404Collide (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)5:205Forsaken (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)4:526The Older I Get (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)3:497The Last Night (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)4:038Better Than Drugs (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)5:009Those Nights (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)4:4710Yours to Hold (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)3:4611Rebirthing (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)4:0212My Obsession (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)5:0313Angels Fall Down (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)6:2314Savior (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)5:1715Best Kept Secret (live at Tivoli Theater, Chattanooga, TN, 5/9/2008)4:2816Live Free or Let Me Die3:5117Rebirthing (acoustic)3:5418Yours to Hold (acoustic)3:4419The Older I Get (acoustic)3:2820Whispers in the Dark (acoustic)3:2421Say Goodbye (acoustic)4:15. He played what was planned to be his last concert with the band on March 20, but returned and continued touring until a new guitarist was trained. On April 16, Seth Morrison replaced Kasica as the lead guitarist, and now tours full-time with Skillet.
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.

Awake was nominated for and won the "Top Christian Album" Award at the Billboard Music Awards 2011, and the song "Awake and Alive×Awake and Alive2009 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Awake and Alive3:31" was announced to be on the Transformers: Dark of the Moon Soundtrack in May 2011.
On June 21, 2011, Cooper 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. 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.

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".
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, but was later scheduled for a June 25, 2013, release. In an interview with NoiseCreep, John Cooper stated the first single and music video is scheduled to be released in late April. The first single from the album, "Sick of It×Sick of It9 April 2013 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Sick of It3:11", released to US Rock radio on April 23, 2013. It was later confirmed that the first single, "Sick of It", would be released on April 9, 2013. 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. On July 12, 2016, Rise was certified Gold by the RIAA. On June 21, 2013, the band released a deluxe version of the album.
The band performed the title track of Rise on the July 11, 2013, airing of Conan.
Skillet was nominated and won a Dove Award for Rock Song of the Year for their song "Sick of It".
Vital Signs, a compilation album released exclusively in Europe, was released October 13, 2014.

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. 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. On May 20, the album's title, Unleashed×Unleashed8 July 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks1Feel Invincible3:492Back From the Dead3:333Stars3:474I Want to Live3:285Undefeated3:356Famous3:187Lions3:248Out of Hell3:349Burn It Down3:1610Watching for Comets3:2911Saviors of the World3:4612The Resistance3:5213Breaking Free3:5214Stay Til the Daylight3:4615Brave3:4916You Get Me High3:1717Set It Off3:4918Feel Invincible (Death Tiger Remix)3:4219The Resistance (SOLI Remix)3:5220Stars (Film Version)4:05, was announced and later was released on August 5 with Atlantic Records. A lyric video, "Feel Invincible×Feel Invincible20 May 2016 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Feel Invincible3:49", was also made available. On May 26, the lyric video and digital single "Stars×Stars26 May 2016 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Stars3:45" was released, along with a preview for another song titled "Back From the Dead×Back From the Dead8 July 2016 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Back From the Dead3:33".
On June 6, it was announced that "Feel Invincible" was the theme song for TBS' E-League, the live video game tournament. WWE announced on July 7 that it had chosen "Feel Invincible" as an official theme for WWE Battleground. On July 8, the full version of "Back From the Dead" was made available for purchase online. On January 27, 2017, the band released a new recording of "Stars" with an acoustic style, which was included in the film, The Shack. 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". 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.
On May 5, 2019, Billboard ran an article about Skillet's upcoming album tenth studio album, Victorious×Victorious2 August 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Legendary4:052You Ain’t Ready3:183Victorious4:064This Is the Kingdom3:285Save Me3:436Rise Up3:587Terrify the Dark3:458Never Going Back3:349Reach3:2310Anchor3:3711Finish Line3:2612Back to Life4:37, where they mentioned that the band had sold over 12 million units worldwide. The band released "Legendary×Legendary8 May 2019 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Legendary4:05" on May 7 as the first single off Victorious. On June 14 the band released two new singles: "Save Me×Save Me14 July 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Save Me3:43" and "Anchor×Anchor14 July 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Anchor3:37". On July 27, the band released another single: "You Ain't Ready×You Ain't Ready26 July 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1You Ain't Ready3:18". The album was released on August 2, 2019.
On September 20, 2019, "Legendary" was debuted as a theme song of WWE Raw.

2020–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: 3 new unreleased songs ("Dead Man Walking", "Sick and Empty" and “Dreaming of Eden”), 5 reimagined versions (e.g., "Save Me×Save Me14 July 2019 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Save Me3:43", "Terrify the Dark"), and alternate mixes ("Legendary - Destiny Remix").
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". Cooper later clarified that he "did not compare Cardi B to Hitler", emphasizing that his intent was to critique moral relativism in culture.
"Surviving the Game", Skillet's first single in a year, was released on September 15, 2021, The band also announced their eleventh studio album, Dominion×Dominion14 January 2022 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 12 tracks1Surviving the Game3:592Standing in the Storm4:173Dominion3:464Valley of Death4:275Beyond Incredible3:316Destiny4:027Refuge3:288Shout Your Freedom3:269Destroyer3:4310Forever or the End3:3211Ignite3:4212White Horse3:36, which was released on January 14, 2022, and was Skillet's final album with Atlantic Records after a 20-year partnership. 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, "Refuge" on December 10, 2021, and the title track, "Dominion", on January 7, 2022. 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×Psycho in My Head9 December 2022 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Psycho in My Head3:17", 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×Finish Line20 January 2023 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Finish Line3:272Psycho in My Head" (featuring Adam Gontier). On February 3, 2023, it was announced that "Psycho in My Head" was the theme song for WWE's Elimination Chamber 2023.
On August 9, 2024, Skillet released the lead single "Unpopular×Unpopular9 August 2024 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Unpopular3:06" and announced their twelfth album Revolution×Revolution1 November 2024 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Showtime3:332Unpopular3:063All That Matters3:284Not Afraid3:145Revolution3:066Ash in the Wind3:527Fire Inside of Me3:538Defector3:209Happy Wedding Day (Alex’s Song)3:5810Death Defier3:39. 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×Collide18 November 2003 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube MusicTracklist · 10 tracks1Forsaken4:122Savior4:343Collide5:394A Little More4:495My Obsession5:006Fingernails5:077Imperfection4:078Under My Skin4:069Energy3:5710Cycle Down3:59.
On November 14, 2025, Skillet released their first Christmas single, a cover of the song "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel". The song debuted leading five Billboard charts, both in the United States and internationally, additionally hitting No. 3 on the Digital Song Sales chart; alternatively, it was deemed by critics to be "demonic".
In February 2026, the band was announced as part of the lineup for the Louder Than Life music festival in Louisville, scheduled to take place in September. In August, after teasing new music, the band announced the upcoming release of an EP, After the Storm×After The Storm9 October 2026 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 6 tracks1Scream3:262Lift Me Up3:253Grave Stomper3:514After the Storm3:465Heaven Help Us3:466Come and Find Me3:24, for October 9, 2026. They also announced a 20th anniversary tour in the fall for Comatose; Escape the Fate and Bad Wolves were announced as co-headliners, but the band dropped the latter for undisclosed reasons and replaced them with Autumn Kings.

Musical style

The band's style has been described as Christian rock, Christian metal, alternative rock, hard rock, nu metal, post-grunge, and symphonic metal. The band's eponymous debut album was characterized by its grunge influences, while their follow-up album, Hey You, I Love Your Soul×Hey You, I Love Your Soul21 April 1998 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube MusicTracklist · 12 tracks1Hey You, I Love Your Soul2:592Deeper3:483Locked in a Cage3:554Your Love (Keeps Me Alive)3:565More Faithful3:456Pour4:197Suspended in You3:098Take4:139Coming Down5:0710Whirlwind4:0211Dive Over In3:4312Scarecrow4:17, was noted for "its electronic elements and industrial feel".
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.
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.

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. 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. 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×Awake21 August 2009 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Hero3:072Monster2:583Don’t Wake Me3:554Awake and Alive3:295One Day Too Late3:406It’s Not Me It’s You3:257Should’ve When You Could’ve3:318Believe3:519Forgiven3:3910Sometimes3:2711Never Surrender3:3012Lucy3:3813Dead Inside2:5714Would It Matter4:1215Monster (alternate radio version)2:58. The Awake & Alive Tour encompassed 52 cities from October through January.

Skillet appeared at the 2009 Night of Joy Christian rock festival at Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. 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. 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. 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. In April, it was also announced that the band would be touring with Creed and Theft in August and September 2010. In October, the band would be co-headlining the "Monsters of Annihilation Tour" with Papa Roach. Trapt and My Darkest Days were supporting acts. They toured again with TobyMac in November and December as the 2010 version of the Winter Wonder Slam tour. On July 4, Skillet played at Creation Festival East, and John Cooper called it the best show of Skillet's career.
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. The band had a small international tour in January and February 2011 visiting Australia, New Zealand's Parachute Music Festival, and Japan. In October 2011, the band continued their Awake and Alive tour with Disciple, We as Human, and Manafest.
Skillet headlined the Winter Jam Tour 2012 for the central and eastern parts of the United States.
Starting on August 13, 2013, Skillet toured with Shinedown, Papa Roach, and In This Moment on the Carnival of Madness Tour. In October and November, the band arrives Europe supporting Nickelback's tour in 21 shows. The band closed the year headlining their own tour in Russia and a show in Ukraine.
Skillet started co-headlining the Roadshow 2014 with Third Day during January and February. Upon completion, the band continued coheadlining alongside Third Day in a spring tour. Later in May, toured with TobyMac and Lecrae in the Summer Shed Tour. Starting in the end of May, the band traveled to be part of European festivals during six weeks. In August and September, they joined Godsmack, Seether, and Buckcherry in the Rockstar Uproar Festival in twenty one American cities. In October and November, the band had its own tour in Europe and Russia, offering 22 shows.
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. 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. 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 which took place during September and October 2016. In December 2016, a 27-city, second leg of the tour was announced. 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. Starting November 5, 2017, Skillet headlined on the Air1 Positive Hits Tour across the central United States.
In 2018, Skillet headlined the Winter Jam tour for the third time, making it their fourth appearance to date. 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.
In 2019, Skillet had a 20-city US tour with Sevendust from August 11 through September 7, 2019. Also that year they toured in the US with Alter Bridge, with a stop in Toronto and Quebec..
In 2021, Skillet headlined the Drive-in Theater Tour with support from Colton Dixon and Jordan Feliz.
In 2022, Skillet headlined the Winter Jam tour for the fourth time.
In 2023, the band co-headlined the Rock Resurrection tour with Theory of a Deadman and Saint Asonia. They performed on the Fourth of July 2023 at the National Cherry Festival 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.
In 2025, the band headlined at Winter Jam for the fifth time, their sixth appearance at the tour overall.

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".
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".

Awards and recognition

Skillet was recognized on February 1, 2016, as having recorded the biggest digital single in the history of Christian music since their song "Monster×Monster14 July 2009 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Monster2:58" 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. 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.