'Comatose' follow-up opens 'a new chapter' for hardworking rock quartet

It has been three years since GMA Artist of the Year nominee and two-time GRAMMY-nominated Skillet's last release, but the rock band that brings Awake to stores this month has been far from idle.

Many of the group's 2008 and 2009 shows touring Comatose, the band's 2006 release, were sold out, placing the four-piece in Pollstar's Concert Pulse Top 50 Tours list. The band also opened for mainstream acts Breaking Benjamin and Three Days Grace, and toured with Flyleaf.

Comatose produced more No. 1 singles from one recording than any other artist in the industry since Christian radio charts began.

One of the hardest-working and most broadly appealing acts, Skillet features its raw energy and multi-textured music on Awake. First single "Hero" has become a Christian radio favorite this summer.

Produced by Howard Benson (Daughtry, Flyleaf, Papa Roach) and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge (Green Day, My Chemical Romance), Awake's songs speak to real-life experience. "Hero" declares that anyone can be a hero to someone, while "Monster" tackles the inner struggles people deal with that others don't see.

Other subjects include loss ("Lucy"), making the most of every moment ("One Day Too Late") and eating disorders ("Never Surrender").

For lead singer/bassist and primary songwriter John Cooper, Awake marks a "turning of a page" for the band. "This album is even more immediate than Comatose, but there's also a noticeable maturity," he said. "Some of the songs are complex, others are just really intense rockers, and, overall, there's a real sense that we're opening a new chapter."

The release is being supported by a street-week "Buy Awake, receive a free T-shirt" promotion. Skillet begins its Awake & Alive U.S. tour Sept. 24.

To order Awake, call Provident-Integrity at 800-333-9000, or visit www.providentmusicgroup.com.

Velvet Kelm is president/owner of The Media Collective.