This is happening!! A new album review thanks to YouTube! I honestly didn’t expect to be able to listen to Skillet’s new album Unleashed, I figured I’d have to wait until my own sister caved and purchased the album, but now at least neither one of us would have to wait!
I was going to do a song review of their first single, “Feel Invincible” back in June, but I had a lot on my plate and decided against it. Parts of me wished I had done it. It’s the first track off the album, and I am in love with it! The band is sort of known for their more symphonic rock sound, using a violin and cello in a good amount of their songs, but this one has more of an electronic vibe. It seems Korey has double duty again, as she plays rhythm guitar and keyboard. Despite having a slight electronica feel to it, it’s still very heavy! Great song to listen to as you work or get ready for the day!
I heard the second track a couple of weeks ago, maybe the actual day it was released! I was in between of deciding if I liked it or not. It’s called “Back From The Dead” and I have to say, I am still undecided. It’s good, it has some interesting parts to it. I like how John does the “ba-ba-ba-ba” saying in rhythm of the chorus. This one isn’t as heavy as I thought it would be, but still. Third song is “Stars” and from the first time I saw the title I knew it would be slower… I’m not going to lie, I am a little hesitant when it comes to the band’s ballads. However, I knew if I wanted to complete this review I would have to listen to it. The track has an electronic introduction. This time you can clearly hear both John and Jen’s voices throughout the song. I do like the message and surprisingly the sound as it goes on the tempo increases. It’s pretty good too!
Next is what I like to call, “a Skillet song.” I know, that’s so clever Meghan! “I Want To Live” sounds like their older songs, like the ones we replay in our iPods and phones everytime we are in the car. It starts out with the nice and easy orchestra sound, Jen has more than just backing vocals on this track. I really love Jen’s soft but fierce voice on the band’s songs! Anyways, I sent this one to my sister and she seemed to like it a lot considering she liked and retweeted it on her Twitter account! Next up is “Undefeated” and oh my gosh! This one is powerful! It doesn’t sound like their others but it is heavy, which is a plus! After “Undefeated,” is a track called “Famous” and is it weird to say that John sounds like he is rapping in the beginning? This one is okay, but I don’t like it, at least not right now!
Now is time for “Lions”. This has more of an airy, almost gives out a serene kind of feeling. In a way, it sounds like “Stars” and what’s weird is that it sort of sounds like it in parts too, mostly in the choruses and at the end of the verses, where Jen joins in with John. Other than that, the actual song is pretty good! The eighth track is called “Out Of Hell” and of course my brain went, please be heavy! With that kind of title, you’re hoping it is! Thankfully, this one is glorious! I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but this reminds me of a Five Finger Death Punch song! And I mean that in the nicest way possible! It still has the essence of Skillet, but it is extremely heavy and so good!
Next up is a song called “Burn It Down” and yes, I immediately thought of Linkin Park. Sorry, but it happens everytime I see these three words together! This is another heavy track, but there’s nothing about it that makes it special. It just sounds like a regular rock song. So that’s bit of a let down! This next one, I heard it and I kind of got happy. It’s “Waiting For Comets” and again, like “Stars” and “Lions” it has a calming vibe to it. It’s not at all heavy, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not good. I can see this one becoming a favorite, as I am starting to like more and more tracks that are meaningful in both lyrics and sound. Perfect harmony. After is a song called “Saviors Of The World,” and when I heard it and was completely caught off guard. It has a strong electronica beginning, but it almost has like a whimsical vibe too! It was strange, but in a good way! The only thing I really have a problem with is the fact it has so many elements to it, that while you listen to the choruses, you can barely hear what John is saying. I can only properly hear one line out of that section before that part goes blurry. Maybe it’s my ears who knows!
Last but not least, is “The Resistance” and again, I hoped for another heavy as I always love a banger to start the album and finish it out. And this did not disappoint. We even have John doing a little screaming and if I’m not mistaken, he hasn’t done that since “Monster” from Awake right? This is another “Skillet” song, but as I’ve seen through listening to this album, maybe I don’t know what a “Skillet” song sounds like anymore? Is it the lyrics or the sounds that creates that label? I’ve always thought it was a mixture honestly.
So what do we think? Do you like Skillet’s new album? Yay or nay? Leave me some comments!
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