r/SkilletMusic

What are everyone’s thoughts on the new EP?! Which song do you guys think is best lyrically on this EP and the best production wise?

I regret to inform you all that After the Storm...

Is actually a solid EP and has the potential to start Skillet on a return to form!

Let's get into the songs!

Scream: 8/10.

I already have a detailed review of it in my post feed.

Lift Me Up: 7/10.

A bit of a repetitive lyrical theme but I still really liked the riffs and John's vocal performance.

Grave Stomper: 9/10.

I was originally going to give this a 10 but a different song eclipsed it. The riffs are unfortunately drowned out by excessively loud but THUMPING bass, and I didn't care much for that pitch shifter effect this time, but I really liked the drumming, bass and the vocals on this song. I also liked the push-pull of occasionally making the delivery gentler and then going in with the energy with the chorus.

After the Storm (title track): 10/10!

Wow... This song is just incredible. Amazing riffs, drumming, amazing singing, really good lyrics, and a short-but-sweet solo, not to mention the mixing on this song in particular was absolutely on point.

Heaven Help Us: 4/10.

Unfortunately, every Skillet album has a dud. This is the dud. It's not bad and has a slightly more nuanced vibe than that of All That Matters, in addition to slightly better lyrics and FAR better instrumentation, the lyric lines "Hate has kept us hurt and hopeless" and "Tell me why we gotta keep burning down the world we know" comes off as slight political whining, specifically "wahh duh libruls!"

Come and Find Me: 9/10.

Another banger ending song! This one oddly gave me a vibe that reminded me of "The Hunting Party" by Linkin Park with it's chorus. Jen also finally got a vocal part on the song. The riffs are also really good and again, more solid lyrics.

But... I have some other issues.

1. The lack of solos.

The album uses Seth a little more, but the fact that only After the Storm had a short solo and the rest were just breakdowns with at best a lead line over them feels like wasted potential.

2. The lack of Jen.

Jen only has two vocal parts. Lift Me Up and Come and Find Me. This is a pretty noticeable downside for someone like me that loves when she sings.

3. The noticeably "formulaic" feel.

Every song feels like it adheres to a rigid formula. Less than 4:00 (every song is 3:50 max), and lots of catchy hooks to act as a radio earworms. I don't mind it but the fact that every song is rigidly less than 4:00 is a bit of a bummer and makes the formulaic feel a little more noticeable.

This stuff aside, this is a huge improvement over the last three albums, but I have a major concern that it won't last because it feels like Skillet, as they're trend-chasers, are just piggybacking off of bands like Motionless in White and BMTH's resurgence in the metalcore genre, so I get the feeling that this awesomeness will not last and they'll soon go back to their overproduced fluff.

7/10.

Hi guys!! First of all, I'm absolutely obsessed with the new EP. I have already heard it on repeat I don't know how many times. I would like for you to tell me what combination of previous albums you feel like got combined to get this one. Let me give you mine:

It has the Rawness of Collide, the maturity of Dominion, sprinkled with a bit of Fight the Fury's (Still Breathing). I know I included FTF, but it's ok.

Your thoughts?

Skillet going live tonight in honor of new EP After The Storm dropping tonight at midnight! Who’s excited?! If you have any questions you want to ask Skillet about the new EP and songs, or just anything in general, be ready to ask them on the livestream tonight! Think of some good questions!