Skillet is on the rise. Pun intended.

Christian rock band Skillet released their ninth album RISE June 15^th. Already the record is receiving widespread praise, regarded as the band's best collection of songs yet.

RISE debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard Top Rock Album Chart and no. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart. RISE also reached no. 1 on the iTunes Rock Album Chart.

Music critics across the board can't get enough of tracks like "Sick Of It" and "American Noise", which were both the first two songs released via a special iTunes rollout.

"Skillet has become increasingly deft at straddling the tricky line between faith-based idealism and secular universality," Billboard said of the band's new direction.

"RISE takes the balance a step further, mixing new sonic flavors into the group's hard-rock bombast."

RISE received 3 out of 4 stars in USA Today.

Skillet is "taking their hard rock to higher ground," according to People magazine

About.com calls RISE is "THE album of 2013."

In a world of floundering album sales, Skillet was one of only three rock bands to go platinum in 2012 with their 2009 release Awake. The only other two bands in the category: The Black Keys and Mumford & Sons; two of the most recognizable bands in the world

You can see Skillet performing songs off of RISE on Conan July 11.

Skillet's 2013 Fall tour will include Carnival of Madness and a European Tour with Nickelback.