They are are Christian rock band from Memphis, Tennessee that were originally formed in 1996. Don’t let the term “Christian Rock” put you off either! They are, I believe, a relatively well known concern in the States, yet they are virtual unknowns over in these parts. I don’t believe that they have ever toured over here, and whether or not they have a fan base will probably depend on how interested people have been over the years to look into them.
I was one of those people, who took it upon myself to investigate them, having picked up on their big “hits” Hero and Monster, from their last record “Awake”, which have been used to soundtrack wrestling PPV events over the last couple of years. I really liked the tracks, so bought into their back catalogue, and was so impressed with what I found.
Over the course of the last year I have been spinning Awake, and their album before that, Comatose a hell of a lot. They are both two brilliant records, which don’t have a bad track on them. I was a big fan by the time last summer came around.
To then find out that they were the main support on the Creed tour in the States, which I was going to, was a great bit of news. Creed were the main reason I went, without a doubt, but it was great to see Skillet put in an epic 45 minute supporting slot on the night. They were immense in their own right, and although they couldn’t have ever stolen the show from Creed (I did travel 17 hours just to see them primarily!) they made such a solid impression on me. They turned me into a die-hard follower that night. They are phenomenal in the live environment, and they left me wanting more. I am desperate to see them do a headline run over here, but whether they have the fanbase, I do not know.
I am not sure why they haven’t really made the splash over here yet. They have great hits, and some solid material to their name. They would go do well over here, but they would need a few high profile supporting slots first I think. Someone NEEDS to get them over here, as they would go down a storm.
As a band, they are a unique proposition, as they include string elements, making use of violins and cello’s. That gives the sound a real grandiose feel, and is not once pretentious in the slightest. It adds a symphonic sound at times, which makes the tracks sound massive. Live, it only added to the experience. The way that the vocals from lead singer John Cooper wash over and interact with those from drummer Jen Ledger (British no less!) and at times the guitarist Korey Cooper (his wife) is magical, and the sound they create is anthemic, fist pumping and truly brilliant. They have a penchant for writing some heavy heavy stuff, using some killer riffs and some killer choruses. They are the true total package.
Awake and Comatose are two must haves for the collection. Mixing all of the above, and more, and at times dealing with some incredibly heavy themes, the tracks are all storming. It is pretty hard to pick highlights across the two records really, as every track is epic and just pure brilliance.
Personal favourites from Awake though include, Hero, Lucy, Monster, Awake and Alive, Forgiven, Should’ve When You Could’ve and It’s Not Me It’s You, but in all honesty, the entire album should be listened to, because it is simply that good.
On Comatose, it is pretty much the same. Re-Birthing is an incendiary opener and sets the tone for what is to come. It is an amazing song, and one that I swear I repeated over and over for about 1 week solidly at one point in the last few weeks! The Last Night, Whispers In The Dark, The Older I Get, Those Nights, Falling In The Black. Each track is an instant classic, and is completely unforgettable.
I hear that their other guitarist Ben Kasica has recently left, but hopefully they will get a new guy in, and continue to make music of this excellence. They are an awesome band, and deserve all the credit that they get. They should rocket to superstardom, and hopefully we will get a flying visit from them at some point on their way to the very top.
It would be nothing short of a crime if they never became massive outside of the States.
Hopefully one day I will get to see them in action again!
I highly recommend checking them out – you most definitely won’t be disappointed.
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