It’s important for Christians to talk about the dark side of their minds and, often, that still seems taboo. Not with Skillet, though, and their latest EP- After The Storm does exactly that.
John and Korey Cooper of the band have been open lately about their experiences with the Church and latest NAR Movement, which caused them to battle with some difficult mindsets when it came to their faith, and it’s evident in the music on After The Storm.
“Scream” is an anthem for anyone dealing with depression, self-worth issues or just plain anger and shows the band not holding back, while “Lift Me Up” is a poppier hard rock track that’s a fight song for rising up against the enemy and standing your ground in your faith.
“Grave Stomper” slows things down quite but is still super heavy. It’s very blunt and lyrically in-your-face. You can either translate it as firing back at the enemy for putting lies about yourself into your head or as a response to the Church for the times that other Christians try to get in your head with what they think about your life.
Title track “After The Storm” is all about recovery. When the storm finally passes and your life is tattered and in shambles, but your faith is still there- even if it’s holding on in smithereens- it’s still there.
When all you have left when you’re wandering in the desert, things are darker than they’ve ever been and you’re screaming for help but can’t hear anything, the storm clouds are clearing up, God is still there. “After The Storm” is all about these moments.
“Heaven Help Us” is the quintessential Skillet power ballad and is a cry out for mercy to God on behalf of the Church and the world today and is a narrative on how broken the Church and society really are.
The song is a plea for everyone to stop hating and just start loving each other- no matter whether you agree with their views or not.
“Come and Find Me” is as vulnerable as it gets and shows the moments when you’re as low and dark as you can possibly get. When you’re isolated, stuck in your own head and don’t feel there’s any hope so you cry out in desperation for help from the ones you really need and love, just praying someone will help, this is that song.
In the end, After The Storm shows the band delving deep into the dark side of their emotions but, even though that seems to be a prominent aspect to the lyrics, there’s still that underlying sense of hope and positivity, reminding you that even when you’re at the lowest you think you can be, God is still there to help you out of the hole.
After The Storm is the band’s heaviest records since Collide and is one of the most lyrically complex records Skillet have done yet. It’s honest, heavy, vulnerable, uncomfortable at times, and a home run.
Rating: 9/10
-Reggie Edwards