A revolution, this album is not. This was my first time encountering Skillet with this release, and I have to say, the experience felt largely underwhelming. The overall sound seems generic and bland, with vocals that come across as worn-out and tired, which saps much of the energy from the music.
The male vocals, in particular, struggle to find their footing. They attempt to sound gritty and husky but end up coming off as tattered and strained, especially in tracks like “Not Afraid,” “Defector,” and “All That Matters.” These attempts at adding depth to the voice seem more forced than effective. On the other hand, the female vocals fit the music much better, especially in songs like “Showtime,” where her voice brings more life and clarity. In fact, it would be interesting to see what the band might have sounded like if they had made her the primary vocalist instead of using the male vocals so prominently.
That said, I do want to give the band some credit for crafting catchy hooks, particularly in the track “All That Matters.” The melody in some songs works well and offers a brief respite from the otherwise average feel of the album. It’s one of the few standout moments here.
The riffs, unfortunately, do not live up to expectations. They often sound weak and flimsy, particularly in “Showtime” and “Not Afraid.” In tracks like “Defector” and “Death Defier,” the riffs are poorly mixed and sound like they’re being drowned out by the rest of the band. Overall, they just seem cheesy and uninspired, lacking the punch needed to elevate the music. However, “Ash in the Wind” stands out with riffs that have some decent weight to them. Combined with the drums, they create a more lively and engaging sound than the rest of the album, offering a brief but much-needed spark.
As for the drumming, it doesn’t do much to stand out. While it keeps the band on pace and maintains a steady rhythm, there’s no moment where the drumming truly shines, save for the occasional burst in tracks like “Unpopular” and “Ash in the Wind.”
The bass playing, while effective in “Not Afraid,” is largely forgettable for the rest of the album. Most of the time, it feels buried in the mix and doesn’t bring anything particularly memorable to the table.
On a positive note, the album does manage to maintain a decent pace and flow throughout. The songs move by quickly, even though they aren’t particularly memorable or engaging. There are a few interesting moments where elements like symphonic parts are introduced, such as in “Fire Inside of Me,” but these elements are not used in a way that elevates the album’s sound. Instead, they feel like a fleeting attempt to add variety, but ultimately, the album stays stale and predictable.
Production-wise, the album does an okay job of capturing the band’s sound, though at times the mixing falters. For example, the riffs in “Defector” become overwhelming and muddle the clarity of the band’s performance. The album sounds professional but lacks the polish needed to make it stand out in the rock genre.
Ultimately, Skillet’s latest album feels like a band from an earlier era, now just going through the motions. There are moments of potential, but they’re too few and far between to leave a lasting impression. It’s an album that exists, but doesn’t do much more than that.
RATING:4/10
NOTABLE TRACKS:
Unpopular
All That Matters
Happy Wedding Day (Alex’s Song)