H R H - R E V I E W S

Skillet
Comatose Atlantic Records

Comments: You hear menacing strings in a Star Wars like driving rhythm. Your pulse starts racing as the tension builds. You're waiting for release of aggression -- to get your ass kicked. Is this going to happen? Is this album going to knock your dick in the dirt? Or is this just going to be another build up to a let-down?

This is no cheesy build-up to a crappy album. Skillet lets you have it full-on, in your face. Comatose opens with an intensely powerful song in "Rebirthing". It makes you want to just stand up and bob your head and pump your fist. It's aggressive and full of passion and power.

Skillet could easily be labeled as a Christian rock band, but they're much more than that. The songs are vague enough, they could just as easily be about relationships we have with each other as human beings as they could be about relationships with God.

Comatose is equal parts Linkin Park (without the screaming) and the male version of Evanescence. Comatose is a collection of melodic, dark rockers that are full of hooks.

The layering on this album is impressive. Skillet makes excellent use of strings, piano and keyboards throughout the album to add texture to their dark, driving rock. It's not the typical cheesy "dude, let's add keyboards-it'll be rad". The deep, dark piano tone and strings add to the tension and mood rather than distract the listener from the music.

There are so many great, intense songs on this album, it's difficult to pick a favorite. "Better Than Drugs" and "Yours to Hold" are both intense songs seemingly about relationships. "Say Goodbye" is a wistful look back on "the days gone by". It has a real Nickelback "Photograph" feel to it. "Looking for Angels" has the speaking verse you hear from bands like Linkin Park.

Comatose has got to be considered for album of the year. It's intricate, intense and smart. The musicianship is excellent. The mix is tight like a … well, it's real tight. There's no sloppy, hack playing. There are no songs about getting drunk and laid. There are just well-written, well-orchestrated songs of relationships, faith, life, living, learning and yearning. Oh yeah, and there are enough hooks to catch a fever.

Track Listing:
1. Rebirthing
2. The Last Night
3. Yours to Hold
4. Better Than Drugs
5. Comatose
6. The Older I Get
7. Those Nights
8. Falling Inside the Black
9. Say Goodbye
10. Whispers in the Dark
11. Looking for Angels

HRH Rating: 9.3/10