Victorious

by Skillet

Overview

After the release of 2016's Unleashed, Christian hard rock outfit Skillet spent the following years touring behind that effort, issuing an expanded edition of the album and helping drummer/vocalist Jen Ledger unveil her impressive, self-titled debut EP. Without rest, the quartet continued into 2019 with their tenth effort, Victorious, another set of characteristically hard-charging anthems that aim to glorify God and set spirits aflame. These are Jock Jams for Christ, an unrelenting barrage for those who get pumped up by faith, working out, or both. Is this the worship band of a metal-loving megachurch or an inspirational half-time show headliner? In Skillet's case, it could be both. Chunky riffs, pounding drums, and soaring choruses elevate their aggressive take on what is, at its heart and soul, worship music, especially on the soaring "Victorious," "Save Me," and "Terrify the Dark." Elsewhere, that motivational spirit is obvious by song title alone -- "Legendary," "Reach," and "Finish Line" are but a handful of unambiguous examples -- and the energy is absolutely infectious, whether the listener identifies as Christian or otherwise. Ledger remains the band's secret weapon, her clear vocals piercing through the storm and providing much-needed balance and harmony to frontman John Cooper's howls. In fact, much of Victorious sounds like it could have landed on the Ledger EP, especially "Victorious" and "Rise Up." Elsewhere, Skillet respectfully nod to Linkin Park ("You Ain't Ready"), Evanescence ("Save Me"), and even Imagine Dragons, whose unmistakable, foot-stomping sound heavily informs "This Is the Kingdom," which interpolates the Beatitudes and Jesus' "first will be last/last will be first" teachings found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Although Victorious isn't groundbreaking by any means, it's another satisfying, defiant, and rousing collection of spiritual hype music. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

Product Details

Release Date:	08/02/2019
Label:	Atlantic
UPC:	0075678652486

Tracks

1. Legendary
2. You Ain't Ready
3. Victorious
4. This Is the Kingdom
5. Save Me
6. Rise Up
7. Terrify the Dark
8. Never Going Back
9. Reach
10. Anchor
11. Finish Line
12. Back to Life

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Skillet   Primary Artist
Jen Ledger   Drums,Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Chris Marvin   Guitar,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Seth Mosley   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Drew Griffin   Viola,Violin
Eleonore Denig   Strings
Mike "X." O'Connor   Guitar,Keyboards
Colton Price   Vocals (Background)
Tommy Iceland   Vocals (Background)
Tate Olson   Cello
Rosie Marvin   Vocals (Background)
Korey Cooper   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background),Guitar,Keyboards
John Cooper   Bass,Vocals
John L. Cooper   Bass,Guitar,Vocals,Guest Artist
Cara Fox   Strings
Seth Mosely   Keyboards
Jerricho Scroggins   Vocals (Background)
Rosalie Marvin   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Seth Morrison   Guitar,Guest Artist
Neal Avron   Instrumental
Tate Olsen   Cello

Technical Credits

Jen Ledger   Composer
Anne Declemente   A&R
Nolan Sipe   Composer
Chris Marvin   Artist
Nick Rad   Mixing,Editing,Engineer,Studio Personnel
Mia Fields   Composer
Seth Mosley   Artist,Composer,Producer,Programming,Studio Personnel
Drew Griffin   Artist
Eleonore Denig   Artist
Dan Omelio   Composer
Cara Fox   Artist
Nick Schwarz   Editing,Studio Personnel
Chino Villatoro   Photography,Photo Illustration
Mike "X." O'Connor   Artist,Editing,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Studio Personnel
Tristan Hardin   Editing,Pro-Tools,Studio Personnel
Colton Price   Artist
Tommy Iceland   Artist
Chrissy Yoder   Photography
Tate Olson   Artist
Rosie Marvin   Artist
Full Circle   Producer
Korey Cooper   Programming,Camera Assistant,Studio Personnel,Composer,Engineer,Producer
John L. Cooper   Editing,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming,Studio Personnel
Mia Fieldes   Composer
Andy Karp   A&R
Kevin Churko   Mixing,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Studio Personnel
Seth Mosely   Artist
Kane Churko   Composer,Engineer,Studio Personnel
Jerricho Scroggins   Artist,Engineer,Producer,Studio Personnel,Assistant Engineer,Assistant Producer,Production Assistant
Daniel Thomas Omelio   Composer
Rosalie Marvin   Artist
Seth Morrison   Composer
Scott Skrzynski   Mixing,Mixing Assistant,Studio Personnel
Ted Jensen   Mastering,Studio Personnel
Pete Ganbarg   A&R
Neal Avron   Mixing,Studio Personnel
Mark Obriski   Design,Art Direction
Zachary Kelm   Executive Producer