Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1996 by John Cooper and Ken Steorts. Carried by hits like Monster and Hero, the band has made its mark on both the Christian charts and mainstream rock, never hiding its faith.
Skillet was born in 1996 in Memphis, Tennessee, built around John Cooper, singer and bassist, and guitarist Ken Steorts. Signed almost immediately by the Christian label ForeFront Records, they recorded their first album at the historic Ardent Studios. Through several lineup changes, the band settled around John Cooper and his wife Korey Cooper, keyboardist and rhythm guitarist, since joined by drummer Jen Ledger and lead guitarist Seth Morrison.
Long identified with the Christian market alone, Skillet crossed over to a wider audience with the album Comatose (2006), then with Awake (2009) and its single Monster, which became their best selling song with several million certified units. The band has since released twelve studio albums, earned two Grammy Award nominations (for Collide and Comatose), and keeps touring both Christian festivals and mainstream rock stages, alongside bands like Shinedown and Papa Roach.
- Origin
- Memphis, Tennessee, USA
- Style
- Christian rock, hard rock
- Active since
- 1996
- Good to know
- Monster, certified multi Platinum, one of Christian rock's biggest hits
How did Skillet get started?
John Cooper grew up in a deeply religious Tennessee family where rock music was frowned upon at home. Yet that is the style he chose to embrace, convinced that rock could carry a message of faith without softening its power. In 1996, he founded Skillet with guitarist Ken Steorts, whom he met on the road; the band was signed by ForeFront Records after barely a month together.
The early albums, closer to alternative and industrial rock, established Skillet in the Christian market. The turning point came in the mid 2000s, when Korey Cooper, John's wife, permanently joined the band on keyboards and guitar, alongside drummer Jen Ledger: the lineup that carries the band today took shape.
What makes Skillet distinctive?
Few Christian bands have crossed as clearly into mainstream rock without denying their faith. John Cooper has said it in many interviews: Skillet has never hidden its Christian identity, even while touring with secular bands like Nickelback or Shinedown. That dual identity, rare in the industry, has earned the band two Grammy Award nominations and tens of millions of streams for songs like Monster or Hero.
Where should you start with Skillet?
For a first listen, Nothing But the Blood, their energetic take on an old Christian hymn with Colton Dixon, shows the connection between powerful rock and roots of faith. Follow up with Scream for the band's rock side, then with Lift Me Up, their most recent single, to hear where Skillet stands today.
songs
Nothing But the Blood
A duet with Colton Dixon covering a traditional Christian hymn, carried by the distorted guitars typical of Skillet's sound.
Scream
An energetic rock track representative of the band's current sound, released on the label's official video channel.
Lift Me Up
First single from After The Storm, a new album announced for October 2026, in which John Cooper addresses the weight of fear and shame, and the need to be lifted by a force greater than oneself.
Discography
- 2024Revolution
- 2022Dominion
- 2019Victorious
- 2016Unleashed
- 2013Rise
- 2009Awake
- 2006Comatose
- 2003Collide
- 2001Alien Youth
- 2000Invincible
- 1998Hey You, I Love Your Soul
- 1996Skillet
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Skillet?
Skillet is an American Christian rock band formed in 1996 in Memphis, Tennessee, by John Cooper and Ken Steorts. Now fronted by John and Korey Cooper, Jen Ledger and Seth Morrison, it ranks among the most listened to Christian rock bands in the world.
Is Skillet a Christian band?
Yes. John Cooper, the singer and founder, has always affirmed the band's Christian faith, including when Skillet plays for mainstream rock audiences alongside secular bands.
What is Skillet's best known song?
Monster, released in 2009 on the album Awake, remains their most streamed and most certified song, with several million sales. Hero, released the same year, is their most popular duet with audiences.
Where can you listen to Skillet?
Skillet's songs are available on all streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music) as well as on the band's official YouTube channel, which hosts music videos and visualizers.
What is Skillet's latest album?
Revolution, released in November 2024, is their twelfth studio album. A new project, After The Storm, has been announced for October 2026, preceded by the single Lift Me Up.
Has Skillet been nominated for a Grammy Award?
Yes, twice: for the albums Collide (2003) and Comatose (2006), which marked the band's crossover to an audience beyond the Christian market alone.