The in Piedmont Hall waited With a palpaue current Of anticipation for the coming show. Adults and children sang along to mid-2000s ait-rock bangers, their voices rising in chorus to Three Days Grace and Linkin Park. As a product Of the same alt- rock sound, I shared the anticipation With the crowd. My hands trembled slightly With nervousness and excitement as I stood on the precipice Of a musical journey 20 years in the making. Back When I discovered a certain band downloaded on a lost iPhone I found, introducing me to a new world Of music. It all started With Skillet.
Christian rock, alt rock, hard rock, nu-metal. Many labels have been attributed to the household rock band over the decades. Still, fans agree that Skillet has an undeniaue influence in shaping musical tastes from a young age. Some consider Skillet a gateway band, but after 30 years Of touring and an extensive discography, the band has made its undeniable mark in the alt rock genre. After this show, I can say the band Will gain fans With each new generation that discovers Skillet on their path to self-discovery and independence.
Skillet kickstarted the show With blasts from the past, establishing an immediate connection With their hardcore fans as they played rock classics and fan favorites. Skillet frontman John Cooper stormed the Stage to immediate uproar from the crowd, backed by the blasting guitar growls played by guitarist Kory Cooper. The Skillet power couple's presence immediately kicked the crowd into a frenzy, headbanging along to the drums Of the prolific Jen Ledger, and captivated by the shredding guitar playing Of Ben Kasica. John was all smiles as he played to the crowd, shouting out to birthday people in the crowd bet's-veen tracks. Kory's guitar playing was enthralling, her fingers blurring Over strings and purple-dyed hair flying as she headbanged for her life. In that moment, I was reminded of the musical prowess Of the band members. Kaisca showcased it perfectly during a guitar solo that left the crowd silent as they stared in almost reverence at his solo, as he masterfully bent pitches with the whammy bar and leaped through raspy chords.
The band rocked out many of their staple tracks. "Feeling Invincible", "Awake and Alive", "Hero", and fan favorite "Monster" set the crowd on fire, with both parents and children jumping to the hard rhythms set by Ledger. Cryo jets erupted on stage, setting plumes of cold air in the air and enunciating the rock drops. I'm certain it was a welcome reprieve from the buming heat in the music venue. At one point of the show, John himself strapped the jets to his arms, blasting cold white plumes of C02 onto the frenzied crowd. The cold definitely energized the fans as they screamed the along with the band word for word, surging at every new track.
Skillet reached into deep cuts while freshening up the crowd with newer tracks in between the show beats. The freshly dropped track, "Scream", assures fans that Skillet still has a lot of gas left in the tank and has no plan of slowing down. As John pointed out himself, "We've been well over 30 years now, but we still have plenty of energy to rock!" And rock they did, with John, Kory, and Kasica striding across the stage, climbing up on stands, and egging on the crowd as they performed. Ledger oversaw the entire venue, towering over the stage as a blur of frantic energy setting the rhythm to the storm surging in front of her. The energy was high, the music was loud, and the crowd was hungry for more. But in the midst of the storm, John delivered messages of unity and resilience. This world is very hateful, but I just want you to remember that music is the unifier. Look around you, look behind you. It is always amazing to be in a room full of people that share the same issues, the same problems, and still be able to come together and have a good time."
In the end, Johns message is the lasting impact that Skillet has been cultivating for the last 30 years. The band and their music have always been a resonant beacon for anybody whoS ever felt out of place or felt isolated due to their internal struggles. Skillet acknowledges the hardships of the slent youths and offers a musical space where fans can air their grievances along with others who may share their inner turmoils. All this accumulates into a mass cathartic release that is expressed through loud, aggressive vocals, guitars, and drums. To the uninitiated, this may seem like an angry expression or outburst, but Skillet and their fans know better. Their music is a war cry, a statement of defiance, and personal expression. In a world of hate and sorrow, Skillet delivers Johns message of unity through struggle and hardships, a message that has gained them a massive following over the band& 30 years of existence. The troubled youth who have been shepherded through their hardships by Skillet now may have children of their own. And as the torch is passed, this new generation will be shaped and molded by the same message that Skillet still plans to spread for years to come.
GALLERY
