Review of Dominion album by Skillet

Skillet

Dominion

Atlantic, Hear It Loud

January 14, 2022

Album Review By Annie Schlottman

Originally published on Boston Rock Radio website February 16th, 2022


The popular Christian hard rockDd band Skillet released its 11th studio album, Dominion, January 14th, 2022. This 12-track album by the Wisconsin quartet is a great mix of heavy-hitting bangers and meaningful ballads.  Listeners who know Skillet’s previous work will hear quite a bit of the familiar, along with some new elements that may surprise, including electronics, screams, and even some rap elements on the album’s final track.

The combination of vocals by lead singer and bassist, John Cooper, and drummer and backup singer Jen Ledger, are perfect, as usual. Guitarists Seth Morrison and Korey Cooper (John’s wife) contribute the heavy guitar riffs that this band is known for.  The ballads are beautiful and just about anyone can relate to the themes incorporated throughout.

According to the band, “This record is all about the celebration of freedom, a liberation from fear – to be who we want to be, say what we want to say, believe what we want to believe.  We hope the record makes you feel empowered, inspired, and ready to rock!”



The first track and first single released “Surviving The Game” builds up at the beginning and really gets the blood boiling.  You can tell right away that this song is going to be heavy. This song has a powerful message of not giving up amidst adversity. The track is featured in the new Rock Band video game.

Title track “Dominion” picks things back up with a fast pace that gets the adrenaline going, and is fueled by a fierce guitar solo.  This song has a message of rebelling against the forces of evil and standing with what is good and righteous.

“Beyond Incredible” starts out somewhat slow, but near the end of the first verse picks up quickly.  There are some of those aforementioned electronic elements in this track. Ledger’s vocals are a big part of this song in the pre-chorus, the bridge, and the outro. The main theme of this song is about the search for a miracle – finding something “incredible.”

The first ballad on the album,“Valley Of Death” is almost orchestral in nature. The beginning of the song is simply Cooper singing accompanied by piano.  Later in the song the guitars and drums kick in, along with Ledger’s vocals.  “Valley of Death” is a moving tune about mortality and taking inventory of your life. “Refuge” is another melodic ballad featuring strings and soft vocals by Cooper.  This is an inspiring song about trusting in a refuge in times of darkness.  I believe this refuge can be left up to interpretation – a higher power, a significant other, a friend, family members. 

To me, “Shout Your Freedom,” is the true anthem on this album.  It’s a fast-paced, fun song that encourages proclaiming victory for all to hear. This tune has almost more of a “power pop” element to it.

Dominion ends with a surprising wild card, “White Horse.”  This song has a big hip hop element to it – almost a form of rap rock.  This is one of the most unique songs I have ever heard from Skillet.   It might actually be the most “religious” song on the album.  It is written from the point of view of a follower of God fighting the battle – but not necessarily a physical battle, rather that of a prophet teaching a message of truth.

I must say as a big fan of Skillet, the more I listened to the album, the more impressed I was by the variety of the tracks, mixing the familiar with some new elements that will keep listeners intrigued.  Overall, I highly recommend this album for the mix of heavy, hard-hitting bangers and emotional ballads, as well as the inspirational messages incorporated throughout.

BAND John Cooper -- Lead Vocals/Bass Korey Cooper -- Rhythm Guitar/Keyboards/Backing Vocals Jen Ledger -- Drums/Vocals Seth Morrison -- Lead Guitar

TRACK LISTING
Surviving The Game
Standing In The Storm
Dominion’
Valley Of Death
Beyond Incredible
Destiny
Refuge
Shout Your Freedom
Destroyer
Forever Or The End
Ignite
White Horse






Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New Jersey Rock Band Incognito Theory Drops High-Energy Album The Brotherhood

Image
Incognito Theory The Brotherhood Rage Breed Records Global UK International Album review by Annie Schlottman September 12th, 2022 New Jersey hard rock band Incognito Theory dropped an 11-song, full-length album, The Brotherhood , September 2nd, 2022. It's a perfect reflection of the band's self-described musical style of "top shelf whiskey-grooving rock and roll". Incognito Theory signed with Rage Breed Records Global International UK almost two years ago. The band includes David Incognito (frontman/lyricist/founder); Steve Bloodgood (lead guitar/backing vocals); Jay Brachman (bass/backing vocals); and John Mosco (drums/backing vocals). If you had to fit Incognito Theory into a genre, it would be Southern hard rock with hints of classic rock mixed with groove metal. Special guests on The Brotherhood were guitarist Dave Crum of Big Bang Baby and bassist Mike LePond of Symphony X and Mike LePond's Silent Assassins. The executive producer of the album was Danzig
Read more

A Review Of “Push Away” By THEM GUYS

Image
A Review Of “Push Away” By THEM GUYS Written by Annie Schlottman Let me start by saying how fortunate I feel to have found this awesome band, THEM GUYS.   I live in Pennsylvania, but about a year and a half ago I started developing connections with a lot of bands on the Gulf Coast, especially Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana.   THEM GUYS became one of those bands.   I quickly realized how special they are.   Not only are they a fantastic rock band, they are also some of the nicest people in the Gulf Coast music scene. They support other bands and are amazing with their fans.   People are drawn to their magnetism, which makes their shows spectacular. THEM GUYS is a band from South Louisiana made up of four friends who are more like brothers and have the same music vision. The band includes:   Nick Oubre (lead vocals/rhythm guitar); Anthony Green (lead guitar/backing vocals); John Waguespack (bass/backing vocals); and Chet Tabor (drums/percussion/backing vocals). The band formed i
Read more

The Midnight Shepherds Release Debut Live Single “Lover Boy Blues”

Image
Review of "Lover Boy Blues" by The Midnight Shepherds Written by Annie Schlottman October 30th, 2022 The Midnight Shepherds, a blues band from Mobile, Alabama, officially released its first original song, a live version of "Lover Boy Blues" , October 28th, 2022. This is sure to be the first of many for this talented band. The tune is available on all music platforms. Members of The Midnight Shepherds include  Brady Reeves (vocals and guitar); Turner “Bluesman” Mason (lead guitar); Phillip Multi-Funk Whigham (bass and vocals); Matt Johnson (drums).   The band has existed since 2018, and Reeves, Mason, and Johnson have been there from the beginning. The Midnight Shepherds have played all over the Gulf Coast from Mississippi to Florida, including over 300 shows at The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama.  The band has opened for Texas blues legend Ian Moore.  They have hosted the North West Florida Blues Society events, and there was a feature story about “Lover Boy Blues”
Read more