Skillet

Skillet is an American Christian rock band that formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1996. The band's current lineup consists of John Cooper (lead vocals, bass), his wife Korey Cooper (rhythm guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Jen Ledger (drums, co-lead vocals), and Seth Morrison (lead guitar). John Cooper is the only remaining original member of the band.

Formation and Early Years (1996–2002)

Skillet was formed by John Cooper, formerly of the progressive rock band Seraph, and Ken Steorts, formerly of the band Urgent Cry. The two were encouraged by their pastor to form a new band. Drummer Trey McClurkin joined soon after, and within a month, the band was signed to ForeFront Records. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1996, featuring a grunge rock sound. Their second album, "Hey You, I Love Your Soul" (1998), shifted towards a more industrial and alternative rock style. It was during this time that Korey Cooper joined as a touring keyboardist.

Before their third album, "Invincible" (2000), Ken Steorts left and was replaced by Kevin Haaland. Korey Cooper became a permanent member, and the band's sound became more electronic. After the release of "Invincible," drummer Trey McClurkin was replaced by Lori Peters. The band released their first worship album, "Ardent Worship," later in 2000. Their fourth album, "Alien Youth" (2001), was the first that John Cooper produced himself and featured a major hit in the Christian market with its title track. Ben Kasica took over on guitar before the album's release.

Rise to Mainstream Success (2003–2011)

The band's 2003 album, "Collide," garnered them a Grammy nomination and was their best-selling album at the time. It was re-released by Lava/Atlantic records in 2004, and the band toured with mainstream acts like Saliva and Shinedown. Their 2006 album, "Comatose," continued their rise in popularity, eventually being certified Platinum by the RIAA. This album also received a Grammy nomination. In 2008, Jen Ledger joined as the new drummer and backing vocalist.

Skillet's major breakthrough came with their 2009 album, "Awake." It debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart and went on to be certified Double Platinum. The album featured some of their most well-known songs, including the multi-platinum singles "Monster," "Hero," and "Awake and Alive." "Monster" became one of the most-streamed rock songs in history. In 2011, longtime guitarist Ben Kasica left and was replaced by Seth Morrison.

Continued Success and Recent Work (2013–Present)

The band's 2013 album, "Rise," debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold. It won a Dove Award for the song "Sick of It." Their 2016 album, "Unleashed," also debuted in the top 5 on the Billboard 200 and featured the platinum-certified single "Feel Invincible." This was followed by "Victorious" in 2019, which won two Dove Awards. Their eleventh studio album, "Dominion," was released in 2022. Skillet has been recognized for their extensive touring schedule and has sold over 12 million albums worldwide.