Skillet – Rise [Deluxe Edition] (2013)
‘Rise’ is the band’s eighth studio album, and the first with new guitarist Seth Morrison, who joined Skillet in 2011. They brought back producer Howard Benson (Halestorm, Papa Roach, P.O.D.), who they worked with on ‘Awake.’
After picking 10 or so songs for ‘Rise,’ Skillet decided to make it a concept album. Vocalist/bassist John Cooper says “As we recorded them, we started to realize that there was something going on—that the album was really telling a story. Realizing that, I knew we needed to make it as powerful as we could.”
The storyline of the album follows a teenager coming of age, trying to figure out his identity in the midst of a world filled with problems. There are plenty of radio-friendly singles on ‘Rise,’ including the title track, but Skillet added more depth and diversity as well. There are interludes and cinematic elements such as children singing and choral sections on ‘Good To Be Alive.’The band utilizes a wider variety of instruments such as accordion, mandolin, dulcimer, harp, tympani and bells. They also add electronic/industrial elements, keyboards and orchestral parts.
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