Unleashed (Skillet album)

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Unleashed
Studio album by
Skillet
ReleasedAugust 5, 2016
RecordedJune 2015 – January 2016
StudioVan Howes Studio (Vancouver, BC, Canada); Full Circle Music (Franklin, TN); The Casita (Hollywood, CA); Stellar Productions (New York, NY); Spin Studios (Queens, NY); The Hideout (Las Vegas, NV).
Genre
Length42:48
LabelAtlantic
Producer
Skillet chronology
Rise
(2013) 		Unleashed
(2016) 		Victorious
(2019)
Singles from Unleashed
  1. "Feel Invincible"
    Released: June 29, 2016
  2. "Stars"
    Released: September 9, 2016
  3. "Back from the Dead"
    Released: January 24, 2017[2]
  4. "Lions"
    Released: July 25, 2017
  5. "The Resistance"
    Released: July 26, 2017[3]

Unleashed is the ninth studio album by American Christian rock band Skillet, released on August 5, 2016.[4] The album was announced on May 20, 2016, and a lyric video was released for the track "Feel Invincible" at the same time on the band's YouTube channel. Six days later, the band released a lyric video for the track "Stars" on their YouTube channel. The album was certified gold on December 4, 2018, selling 500,000 copies.[5]

Recording[edit]

On February 16, 2015, Skillet announced they were writing material for a new album with recording to begin in June with a potential release in the late half of 2015 or early 2016, however it got pushed back to a later-2016 release date on August 5, 2016. The band worked with Brian Howes, who previously produced their 2006 album, Comatose, along with producers Kevin Churko, Neal Avron and Seth Mosley. Cooper stated he felt "'really inspired'" before going into the studio to record the music.[6] Even though he said "'the songs are very aggressive, very in-your-face'", he said the new material is genuine to the Skillet sound they have crafted.[7][8]

On April 8, Skillet released a preview of a new song, later revealed to be called "Out of Hell", on their social media pages.[9] On May 20, 2016, the album's title, Unleashed, was announced and is to be released on August 5, 2016, on Atlantic Records.[10] A lyric video, "Feel Invincible", was also made available.[11] On May 26, the lyric video and digital single "Stars" was released, along with a preview for another song titled "Back from the Dead".[12] On July 8, the full version of "Back from the Dead" was made available for purchase online,[13] followed by "I Want to Live" on July 29.[14]

Music and lyrics[edit]

John Cooper noted that Unleashed is made up of songs ranging from metal to pop.[15] Cooper also mentioned that he wanted the songs from Unleashed to be connected both in their lyrics and music.[4]

Singles[edit]

The music video for Skillet's first single, "Feel Invincible", was released on June 29, 2016.[15] The single charted at No. 3 on the US Christian Rock charts and No. 17 at the US Rock charts. WWE announced on July 7 that it had chosen "Feel Invincible" as an official theme for the 2016 Battleground pay-per-view event.[16] The song has also been chosen as the theme for TBS' ELeague, an eight-week live video-gaming competition that will be broadcast in more than 80 countries.[17]

John Cooper says the track "represents the album in one facet really well: [Unleashed] is full of crowd-chanting anthems. The album is very exciting to listen to. Driving beats and melodic choruses, whether it's hard rock or leaning toward pop." He also notes that Unleashed is "quite diverse—there are more extreme songs on both sides of the spectrum, meaning harder rock and even metal, but also pop and atmospheric tunes/sounds."[18]

Awards and accolades[edit]

On August 9, 2017, it was announced that Unleashed would be nominated for a GMA Dove Award in the Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year category at the 48th Annual GMA Dove Awards.[19] In 2018, the album was certified gold in the United States.[20]

Track listing[edit]

The track listing for Unleashed was released along with the album announcement.[21]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Feel Invincible"John Cooper, Seth Mosley3:50
2."Back from the Dead"J. Cooper, Korey Cooper3:34
3."Stars"J. Cooper, K. Cooper, Jason Ingram, S. Mosley3:46
4."I Want to Live"J. Cooper, K. Cooper3:29
5."Undefeated"J. Cooper, Kane Churko, Kevin Churko3:36
6."Famous"J. Cooper, S. Mosley, Sam Tinnesz3:18
7."Lions"J. Cooper, K. Cooper, Mia Fieldes, S. Mosley3:25
8."Out of Hell"J. Cooper, Kane Churko, Kevin Churko3:34
9."Burn It Down"J. Cooper, K. Cooper, S. Mosley3:16
10."Watching for Comets"J. Cooper, K. Cooper3:29
11."Saviors of the World"J. Cooper, K. Cooper3:46
12."The Resistance"J. Cooper, K. Cooper, S. Mosley3:52
Total length:42:55
Unleashed Beyond
Studio album by
Skillet
ReleasedNovember 17, 2017
GenreChristian rock, symphonic rock[1]
Length73:07
LabelAtlantic
Producer
Skillet chronology
Rise
(2013) 		Unleashed Beyond
(2017) 		Victorious
(2019)
Singles from Unleashed Beyond
  1. "Breaking Free"
    Released: December 16, 2017
  2. "Brave"
    Released: April 8, 2018
Unleashed Beyond
No.TitleLength
13."Breaking Free" (featuring Lacey Sturm)3:53
14."Stay Til the Daylight"3:45
15."Brave"3:49
16."You Get Me High"3:17
17."Set It Off"3:49
18."Feel Invincible" (Y2K Remix)3:42
19."The Resistance" (SOLI Remix)3:52
20."Stars" (film version)4:06
Total length:73:07

Personnel[edit]

Skillet

  • John Cooper – vocals, bass guitar
  • Korey Cooper – keyboards (1, 2, 4, 10, 11, 12), programming (1, 2, 4, 9–12), guitars, additional keyboards (3, 5–8), string arrangements (4)
  • Seth Morrison – guitars
  • Jen Ledger – drums, vocals

Additional musicians

  • Seth Mosley – keyboards (1, 3, 6, 7, 12), programming (1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 12), additional guitars (3, 6, 7)
  • Jason Van Poederooyen – keyboards (1, 10, 12), programming (1, 2, 9, 10, 12), additional keyboards (2), additional programming (4, 11)
  • Kevin Churko – keyboards (5, 8), programming (5, 8), backing vocals (5), additional backing vocals (8)
  • Brian Howes – additional guitars (1, 4, 9–12), backing vocals (1, 4, 6, 9–12)
  • Mike "X" O'Connor – additional guitars (3, 7)
  • Kane Churko – additional guitars (5, 8), backing vocals (5), additional backing vocals (8)
  • Shawn McGee – additional guitars (5, 8)
  • Dave Eggar – cello (4), string session leader (4), additional string arrangements (4)
  • Antoine Silverman – violin (4)
  • Chuck Palmer – additional arrangements (4)
  • Jericho Scroggins – additional backing vocals (7)
  • Asa Wiggins – additional backing vocals (7)
  • Lacey Sturm – vocals on "Breaking Free"

Production

  • Zachary Kelm – executive producer, management
  • Brian Howes – producer (1, 2, 4, 9–12)
  • Seth Mosley – producer (1, 3, 6, 7)
  • Mike "X" O'Connor – producer (3, 6, 7), engineer (3, 6, 7)
  • Kevin Churko – producer (5, 8), recording (5, 8), mixing (5, 8)
  • Kane Churko – co-producer (5, 8), additional engineer (5, 8)
  • Jason Van Poederooyen – engineer (1, 2, 4, 9–12), editing (1, 2, 4, 9–12)
  • Jericho Scroggins – engineer (3, 6, 7), production assistant (3, 6, 7)
  • Johnny "Too" Nice – recording (4), editing (4)
  • Neal Avron – mixing (1-4, 6, 7, 9–12)
  • Scott Skrzynski – mix assistant (1-4, 6, 7, 9–12)
  • Misha Rajartnam – editing (1, 2, 4, 9–12)
  • Michael Sanders – editing (3, 7)
  • Shawn McGee – additional editing (5, 8)
  • Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
  • Khloe Churko – studio manager (5, 8)
  • Andy Kemp – A&R
  • Anne Declemente – A&R
  • Artist Haven, LLC – A&R
  • Rob Gold – art direction
  • Mark Obriski – art direction, design
  • Alex Kirzhner – layout
  • Joseph Cultice – photography
  • Chris Lord-Alge – mixing on “Breaking Free”

Charts[edit]

Certifications[edit]

Certifications and sales for Unleashed
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[5] Gold 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Rice, Mark (August 3, 2016). "Skillet, "Unleashed" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  2. ^ Graff, Gary (January 24, 2017). "Skillet on Upcoming Tour, 'Feel Invincible' Success & New 'Classic Rock' Sound". Billboard. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  3. ^ "HardDrive Radio on Facebook". hardDrive. July 26, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Childers, Chad (May 20, 2016). "Skillet Reveal 'Unleashed' Album Details, 'Feel Invincible' Lyric Video". Loudwire. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "American album certifications – Skillet – Unleashed". Recording Industry Association of America.
  6. ^ Graff, Gary (February 16, 2015). "John Cooper Says Skillet is Making Progress on New Album: 'I Feel Really Inspired'". Billboard. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  7. ^ Levy, Piet (October 1, 2015). "Skillet's John Cooper talks upcoming album before homecoming show". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  8. ^ Chad Childers (February 16, 2015). "Skillet 'Halfway There' in Writing Next Studio Album". Loudwire.
  9. ^ "Skillet Music". Facebook. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  10. ^ "Amazon.com: Unleashed: Skillet: MP3 Downloads". Amazon. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  11. ^ "Skillet Releases New Single, New Album Available For Pre-Order". Retrieved May 20, 2016.
  12. ^ "Skillet Premieres New Single "Stars"". Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  13. ^ "Skillet Music". Facebook. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  14. ^ "Skillet Music". Facebook. Retrieved July 29, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Titus, Christa. "Watch Skillet's 'Feel Invincible' Video: Exclusive Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2016.
  16. ^ "Skillet Music". Facebook. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  17. ^ "Skillet's "Feel Invincible" Named Theme Song For TBS' E-League". Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  18. ^ url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7423183/skillet-feel-invincible-video-premiere
  19. ^ "2017 Nominees | The 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards". GMA Dove Awards. August 9, 2017. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
  20. ^ "American certifications – Skillet – Unleashed". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  21. ^ "Unleased by Skillet on iTunes". iTunes Store. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
  22. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Skillet – Unleashed". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  23. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Skillet – Unleashed" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  24. ^ "Ultratop.be – Skillet – Unleashed" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  25. ^ "Ultratop.be – Skillet – Unleashed" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  26. ^ "Skillet Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  27. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Skillet – Unleashed" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  28. ^ "Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums Fusionnes – SNEP (Week 32, 2016)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. June 10, 2013. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  29. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Skillet – Unleashed" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  30. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 2016. 31. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  31. ^ "NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  32. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  33. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – Skillet – Unleashed". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  34. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Skillet – Unleashed". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  35. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Skillet – Unleashed". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  36. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  37. ^ "Archive Chart". Official Charts Company. August 13, 2016.
  38. ^ "Skillet Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  39. ^ "Skillet Chart History (Christian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  40. ^ "Skillet Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  41. ^ "Skillet Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  42. ^ "Skillet Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  43. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  44. ^ "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2016". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
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