Album review: Skillet - Victorious
Now I am back on track with my blog here is the next album review, this time I am reviewing the album Victorious by Christian rock band Skillet. This hasn't been their most successful album, in this country the album peaked at 84 (their only other album to chart in this country peaked at 45), in the US it peaked at 17 ending their top 5 run of three albums, but making it four top 20 albums in a row.
Skillet double up as one of my favourite Christian artists and one of my favourite rock bands (of which I have many). There are a variety of thing I love about this band, firstly I enjoy that they don't just do Christian songs, they do a variety of Christian and secular songs which makes them identifiable for everyone. They also show a lot of versatility with how they do their songs, ranging from heavy through to softer, allowing the two singers to show off all aspects of their vocals. The current line up of the land is John Cooper (lead vocals and Bass guitar since 1996), Korey Cooper (rhythm guitar and keyboards since 1999), Jen Ledger (drums and vocals since 2008) and Seth Morrison (lead guitar since 2011). This is the longest the line up hasn't changed for since the band formed in 1996.
When it comes to this album in particular I will start by saying that I was very highly anticipating it as it follows my favourite album of theirs Unleashed, so there was a lot to live up to and each single gave me the hope that it would stand a chance to equal the quality. When I finally got the album and was able to listen to it in full I was not disappointed, while it doesn't quite equal it's predecessor it has come very close, which is certainly acceptable. Victorious is full of brilliant uplifting songs with a selection of Christian songs focusing on worshipping God and others focusing on very human issues, so again an album that can be for anyone whether religious or not. As with their previous album John and Jen share the vocals with John leading the majority and Jen taking a larger vocal role within each song, some even feel like duets.
My favourite song on the album is Anchor, I knew from the moment that I heard it that would be the case. Firstly it is reminiscent of Stars, which is my favourite song by them overall, with it being a calmer very God focused song. The message of the song is that God is quite literally that thing keeping their feet on solid ground through everything, whether it be struggles in life, fears or feeling too weak to continue God is always there giving us strength to go on and keeping us rooting to what is true. Not only do I love the lyrics, as I have had many moments in my life where those words have been true, but also the way John and Jen sing the song with such passion as it's clear they too have felt that way. John leads this song with Jen dueting on the chorus and providing additional backing on the verses.
A couple of honourable mentions next, these are You Ain't Ready and the title track Victorious. Firstly You Ain't Ready, this is on the heavier end being lead by bass and John almost completely, this song is brilliantly uplifting with the lyrics being about the world not being ready for someone like John and Skillet with their attitude and direct lyrics. This is one of those song that just motivates you to do you cos the world will never be ready for anyone so be yourself and the world can wait. Now for Victorious, this song is just incredible John and Jen do a brilliant job singing this with John's voice being powerful and emotional and Jen sounding slightly haunting but getting emotional accros all the same. The song is about battling depression and is a response to those who are suffering, with the want to help. This struck a chord with me for many reasons, in particular myself, my wife and many other friends and family have suffered with depression an associated illnesses like anxiety, eating disorders and borderline personality disorder, this is an amazing response to these issues. Also John wrote this song in response to Chester Bennington's suicide in 2017, like myself he is a fan of Linkin Parks music and felt he needed to write what he would have said to Chester, or anyone else if he had the chance.
Now to reveal the ratings for all the songs on the album;
1. Legendary 9/10
2. You Ain't Ready 9.5/10
3. Victorious 10/10
4. This Is The Kingdom 8/10
5. Save Me 9/10
6. Rise Up 8/10
7. Terrify The Dark 9.5/10
8. Never Going Back 8.5/10
9. Reach 9/10
10. Anchor 10/10
11. Finish Line 8.5/10
12. Back To Life 8.5/10
I would love to know what you think of this album and which is your favourite song.
If you don't already get Skillet's albums here
*affiliate link
When it comes to this album in particular I will start by saying that I was very highly anticipating it as it follows my favourite album of theirs Unleashed, so there was a lot to live up to and each single gave me the hope that it would stand a chance to equal the quality. When I finally got the album and was able to listen to it in full I was not disappointed, while it doesn't quite equal it's predecessor it has come very close, which is certainly acceptable. Victorious is full of brilliant uplifting songs with a selection of Christian songs focusing on worshipping God and others focusing on very human issues, so again an album that can be for anyone whether religious or not. As with their previous album John and Jen share the vocals with John leading the majority and Jen taking a larger vocal role within each song, some even feel like duets.
My favourite song on the album is Anchor, I knew from the moment that I heard it that would be the case. Firstly it is reminiscent of Stars, which is my favourite song by them overall, with it being a calmer very God focused song. The message of the song is that God is quite literally that thing keeping their feet on solid ground through everything, whether it be struggles in life, fears or feeling too weak to continue God is always there giving us strength to go on and keeping us rooting to what is true. Not only do I love the lyrics, as I have had many moments in my life where those words have been true, but also the way John and Jen sing the song with such passion as it's clear they too have felt that way. John leads this song with Jen dueting on the chorus and providing additional backing on the verses.
A couple of honourable mentions next, these are You Ain't Ready and the title track Victorious. Firstly You Ain't Ready, this is on the heavier end being lead by bass and John almost completely, this song is brilliantly uplifting with the lyrics being about the world not being ready for someone like John and Skillet with their attitude and direct lyrics. This is one of those song that just motivates you to do you cos the world will never be ready for anyone so be yourself and the world can wait. Now for Victorious, this song is just incredible John and Jen do a brilliant job singing this with John's voice being powerful and emotional and Jen sounding slightly haunting but getting emotional accros all the same. The song is about battling depression and is a response to those who are suffering, with the want to help. This struck a chord with me for many reasons, in particular myself, my wife and many other friends and family have suffered with depression an associated illnesses like anxiety, eating disorders and borderline personality disorder, this is an amazing response to these issues. Also John wrote this song in response to Chester Bennington's suicide in 2017, like myself he is a fan of Linkin Parks music and felt he needed to write what he would have said to Chester, or anyone else if he had the chance.
Now to reveal the ratings for all the songs on the album;
1. Legendary 9/10
2. You Ain't Ready 9.5/10
3. Victorious 10/10
4. This Is The Kingdom 8/10
5. Save Me 9/10
6. Rise Up 8/10
7. Terrify The Dark 9.5/10
8. Never Going Back 8.5/10
9. Reach 9/10
10. Anchor 10/10
11. Finish Line 8.5/10
12. Back To Life 8.5/10
I would love to know what you think of this album and which is your favourite song.
If you don't already get Skillet's albums here
*affiliate link
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