Rock On! Collection - Skillet

Welcome back to the Rock On! Collection, a series compiling album reviews from my favourite artists. In this second edition, I will be compiling my reviews from Skillet.

I first found Skillet through the video game WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010, which featured "Hero" and "Monster" from Awake, and I instantly fell in love. However I did forget about them for a couple years but managed to refind them again and the rest is practically history. An amazing band with amazing compositional skills which ends up making amazing music.

As of 10/12/20, I have reviewed 5 of their albums. No new music has been announced as of yet.

Alien Youth (2001) - 6 / 10
Full review here.

Collide (2003) - 9 / 10
Full review here.

Rise (2013) - 7 / 10
Full review here.

Unleashed (2016) - 10 / 10
Full review here.

Victorious (2019) - 8 / 10
Full review here.

Rock On! Collection - IRIS

Welcome to the Rock On! Collection. The Rock On! Collection will be a series of my favourite artists and bands and the albums of theirs that I have reviewed. In this first edition, I am compiling my reviews of albums from IRIS, better known as Will Ryan of DAGames.

IRIS has quickly become a staple part of my day-to-day listening and I couldn't ask for much more. Each album and each song outperforms the last and they're just a delight to listen to. The connectedness of the albums with an entire story behind it is masterfully executed and is very intriguing. IRIS is an artist I highly recommend you listen to. Trust me, the music is incredible.

So far, I have reviewed all 2 albums released by IRIS as of 01/11/20, and a third one, Dawn of the Dimetrix, is coming some time within the next year.

Heart of an Artist (2018) - 10 / 10
Full review here.

 

Goliath's Throne (2019) - 10 / 10
Full review here.

DAGames' YouTube Channel here.

IRIS - Goliath's Throne (2019)

After releasing one of the most personal albums I've ever listened to, the magnificent Heart of an Artist, comes Goliath's Throne, the second studio album by YouTuber Will Ryan, once again under the moniker "IRIS". This album was first announced back in September 2018, with several singles being released between then and when it was released. On Ryan's YouTube community page, he details Goliath's Throne as thus:

The album is about the world, specifically the 21st century and it’s corporate mediums, social media toxicity, the offset effects of becoming addicted to it, and so much more.

I find this interesting, because no-one I've listened to before has decided to use internet based topics to base their album around.

Goliath's Throne is not like its predecessor. It features 14 tracks, no intro or outro, and it lasts for just over an hour. However, it does share some similarities. One of them is the fact they are both set in a fictional universe, of sorts, called the Iris. This gives the 2 albums lore and backstory, which is incredible. I love the idea of albums being stories, in which the songs detail each aspect of it. Speaking of songs, the majority of the songs featured on this album were released several months, even over a year, beforehand. Before release, Ryan went all out and essentially remastered them solely for the album. The best remakes are, in my opinion, are "I'm the Animal" and "Trojan". There are also new tracks which weren't released before the album's release, such as "Bloody Ether", which has a really cool chorus, and "You're Better Off", a song with a lot of similarities to "As The Lights Go Out".

Now, not everything is perfect in life, and this is especially true for this album. While it is the most minor thing, I'm not the biggest fan of the songs "Testify the Modern Eye" and "Goliath's Throne". This does not mean they are bad. Quality of things is relative. Others might love these songs with all their heart. I just find these particular songs a bit lacklustre in comparison to songs like "Cold Man". I would still happily listen to these songs, but it just sucks that they don't have the same impact the other songs do.

I love this album. I've been awaiting it for so long and I am so glad it's here. The performance is incredible and the instruments set the tone so well. Goliath's Throne has most definitely usurped Heart of an Artist. To conclude, Goliath's Throne is a amazing story-driven album with a message, which is conveyed so eloquently through the performance of the songs. I am so looking forward to more IRIS material in the future.

Favourite Tracks: All

Rating: 10 / 10

Alter Bridge - Walk the Sky (2019)

Almost ever since I heard Alter Bridge was releasing a new album, I've been wondering whether I should listen to it or not. I've listened to it, and I was not disappointed. A whole new tone has been set, compared to their first album One Day Remains, and it is really remarkable. Walk the Sky is the sixth studio album by rock band Alter Bridge, and it's not wrong to say that they have come a long way since 2004. While they have not lost touch with their roots, they have definitely put a modern twist on their unique style.

With 14 tracks lasting almost exactly an hour, Walk the Sky delivers a rock album unlike others on this blog. Firstly, it's much like their other songs, which make you want to sing along at the top of your lungs. This alone makes an album enjoyable, as you can have fun along with them. And secondly, there's no screaming or growling, which, when used too much, can ruin a song or an entire album, à la Survival Machines. These can be good, however, but in moderation.

Moving onto the actual song, they are all excellently well crafted, but I feel like the first half of the album is a whole lot better than the second half. It's hard to explain, but the first few songs are the best but then just goes downhill from there. It's not to say "Oh, these songs are crap". Far from it, in fact. The craftsmanship put into songs like "Wouldn't You Rather" and "Take the Crown" is just a lot better than that of "Walking in the Sky", for example. They ain't no "Metalingus", that's for sure. To compare it to One Day Remains, Walk the Sky offers songs I'd say are better than some on the One Day Remains, and vice versa, but if I had to pick which one was better, I'd have to say One Day Remains is better, but not by much.

Overall, Walk the Sky is an impressive album by Alter Bridge and showcases their progress over 15 years. I'd like to rate it higher, but it falls short in a few aspects. This is an album I would most definitely recommend you listen to. A fun, electric-guitar filled hour of greatness.

Favourite Tracks: "Wouldn't You Rather", "In the Deep", "Godspeed", "Take the Crown", "The Bitter End"
Rating: 8 / 10

Through Fire - All Animal (2019)

I bring you a review of an album that took me by surprise, actually. I knew that a new album from Through Fire was going to be released, as they released a new single entitled "All Animal", but I didn't know how soon it was going to be released. Nevertheless, I bring you the second studio album by Through Fire called All Animal, a grittier, more impactful take on their style, as created in Breathe. As I said in my previous Through Fire review, this album shows their true potential and makes you come back for more.

This album is a roller-coaster ride of emotions. All Animal contains some of the most powerful and one of the saddest songs I've ever listened to. The power and raw meat of this album is contained in songs like "Breaking Point" and "Wake The Dead". Both of these songs tell the story of standing in the face of oppression and to never back down. "Breaking Point" has some of the best lines I have ever heard in a song; I literally lost my mind over some of them. The action-packed, heavy-hitting songs take a break to allow the emotion to turn solemn towards the end of the album with the song "If You Love Me, Leave Me". A song telling the story of someone saying that they are a burden on their friends or significant other, and that if they love them, they should leave them, as the title suggests. This song makes me sad, because no-one should have to think like that. Everyone deserves someone in life. Everyone should have a "Superhero", no less. But besides this, nearly all the songs are powerful and inspirational.

In the end, All Animal is, all-in-all, a fantastic album that really plays with your emotions, in a good way. This album is one of the best albums I have listened to this year, because it has me drawn in by the numerous aspects of it: the backing tracks, the vocals, the ferocity. It makes for an amazing listen and I could jam out to these songs for hours. I love it. You might too.

Favourite Tracks: All
Rating: 10 / 10

Skillet - Victorious (2019)

We're in for a treat with this. I want to say my mind has been blown with Skillet's tenth studio, and latest, album Victorious. Since "Legendary" was released all the way back in May, I had incredibly high hopes and expectations for this, and I am pleased to say that my expectations were majorly exceeded by the sheer quality and performance of all songs included. Victorious brings you material ranging from heavy-hitting ballads, such as "Back to Life", to calm and awe-inspiring songs, like "Anchor".

Once again, sticking to 12 songs to an album, Victorious is inspiring from start to finish, and mainly sticking to the Rock genre, unlike its predecessor Unleashed, which featured songs ranging from Metal to Pop. In terms of composition and performance, they have outdone themselves. Certainly, some of the songs in this album invoke a greater emotional response compared to others, with songs tackling subjects, such as depression. John Cooper explained "Victorious" as such:

"I wanted to write a song for people who suffer from depression. I wanted to tell them that they are not alone. This song is both simultaneously sad and inspiring. Hopefully, it can encourage people to transcend the dark places they live in."

By encapsulating such emotion in a song is a mean feat, but Skillet pulled it off. With all the songs, they're inspiring in some way, and that's what I like about Skillet: they care.

While the songs have an exceptional performance, it certainly feels a lot different to previous albums, like Unleashed and Rise. Some of the songs feel mainstream, with "Legendary" actually making it to mainstream radio. Don't get me wrong, the songs are great. It just feels a whole lot different to their previous material, and I think that's what takes away from it slightly. It's not the grittier, harder-hitting Skillet that panheads are used to.

At the end of the day, the long-awaited Victorious lives up to expectations, and manages to call back to their 2006 Comatose days, while leaving some songs for the mainstream audience to listen to. Fantastic material and a great listen.

Favourite Tracks: "You Ain't Ready", "Victorious", "Reach", "Anchor", "Back to Life"

Rating: 8 / 10

Skillet - "Save Me" / "Anchor" (2019)

(Victorious Album Cover)

As this is my first music single review, I going to try something different. Considering I don't have a whole album to go over, I may as well go into slight detail and into my thoughts about each song. And for the first single review, we have 2 songs. 

Hailing from their latest album Victorious, Skillet has pulled off all the stops to give us some really breathtaking material, being better than before. We get sent shooting 13-16 years back with "Save Me", which is very reminiscent of their Collide and Comatose days, and then we get reeled back to the present with "Anchor", which has a more calm and comforting tone.

"Save Me"
(Lyric Video)

From the start, it's almost like a slingshot all the way back to 2003-06, with the song being comparable to songs from Collide and Comatose. The song itself tells the story of a person who is stuck in a dark place, consumed by depression, calling on someone to save them from their misery so that they can live a more happy and content life. The backing track of the song has a slower tempo than typical, but it's equally as powerful. The piano is probably the biggest kick to the past, as it is very reminiscent of piano sequences prevalent in songs, Rock or not, in the early 2000's. Being able to create a certain tone through 1 instrument is exceptional, but it's emphasised by all of them.

Skillet's intention with this song is to callback to their old days and they have done that, and a whole lot more. A modernised take on old ways. Very impressive, to say the least.

"Anchor"
(Lyric Video)

With "Anchor", we get pulled back to the present with a more relaxing and emotional tone, similar to "Stars" from their previous album Unleashed. The song is powerful, but in a different way to "Save Me". It's has an big sense of emotional power, which is true considering what the lyrics mean. Lyrics obviously mean different things to other people, but I interpreted these particular lyrics as a story of power and prevalence, saying that you are able to do almost anything, with the guidance and support of someone close to you. The backing track is sensational and it makes the song what it is. It provides you with a calm start and a really powerful and emotional ending. It's a perfect balance, and it creates an indescribable atmosphere.

To draw a conclusion, I can't draw a conclusion. The feeling of the song is one of greatness and it's just impressive beyond belief. I am in awe.

Ratings
"Save Me": 7 / 10

"Anchor": 9 / 10