For a band that started as a side-project for all of its members, Skillet has had surprising staying power. Their relentless touring schedule and ability to adapt in a changing Christian music landscape are certainly part of the secret behind their success. Now active on the scene for nineteen years, the band's inventiveness, work ethic and sheer talent continue to carry Skillet's music to new places as they cultivate an ever-growing fan base.

Within a month of playing together, the original Skillet trio of Trey McClurkin, Ken Steorts, and John Cooper was approached in 1996 by their first label, ForeFront Records. ForeFront worked with Skillet's original lineup to produce their self-titled debut album. They followed that with 1998's Hey You, I Love Your Soul, an album that was more industrial, electro-infused rock than their debut, which had a heavy alt-grunge influence. Reviewers compared this second iteration of Skillet's sound to Audio Adrenaline and Nine Inch Nails. At the time, the alternative rock sound was gaining ground in the Christian music scene, with bands like Audio Adrenaline, The Newsboys, Third Day, and Jars of Clay reaching new peaks of popularity and heavy radio play. Skillet emerged as a high-energy, more industrial alternative to the new "Christian alternative," which was becoming a genre of pop all its own.

However, the Christian charts began to trend much differently by 2000, when Skillet's third album, Invincible, was released. Harder rock was being eschewed by a softer, more acoustic worship vibe. However Korey Cooper, John's wife, joined the band on keyboard, leading the band to drift even further into electro-rock territory. Standout tracks such as "You're in My Brain" and "I Rest" left a strong impression on audiences. Just a year later, the band released a fourth album, Alien Youth, which many listeners felt was the strongest (and certainly most assertively rock-sounding) album yet. While the album didn't exactly top the Billboard 200 (it peaked at #141), the song "Best Kept Secret" developed a cult following.

After a brief hiatus, 2003 brought out the best of Skillet with their release, Comatose. Comatose was Skillet's best-selling release ever at the time, featuring the hit song, "Savior." 'The release of 2006's Collide brought Skillet even more critical success, with CCM Magazine applauding their ability to straddle complicated genre lines. CCM said at the time, "Perhaps the [Collide]'s finest delicacy is the scorcher 'My Obsession,' weighing in with the requisite primal screams, crunchy axe work and an entrancing, distorted coda. It's emotive without being irate - a laudable achievement in a genre often filled with turmoil." Collide, with its light orchestral details and distorted guitars, marked another change in direction for the band. It was later certified Gold.

But it was 2009's Awake that proved to be Skillet's breakout. Featuring "Hero" and "Monster," two of Skillet's biggest ever songs, the band was nominated for multiple Dove and Billboard Awards. Ultimately they took home the "Top Christian Album" award for 2011. Coming out of a tumultuous period of personnel changes in which both the drummer and lead guitarist were replaced, this was a banner achievement for Skillet. While they had been continually on the Christian festival circuit and doing promotional tours with each of their albums, it was at this point that Skillet started to receive a great deal of attention from significant sources. The NY Daily News called them "the biggest selling band you've never heard of."

Rise was released in 2013. At this point Skillet had toured with everyone from TobyMac to Puddle of Mudd. Rise proved to be an album that fans either embraced wholeheartedly or rejected completely; yet their fan base continued to grow. In 2014, John Cooper remarked, "We have toured for so long, but there are still so many people who have never heard of us," as he reflected on how the band continues to amass more and more listeners. Cooper also proclaimed in 2014 that they no longer self-identify as a Christian band, and see themselves instead as simply a "rock band."

(Photo : The M Collective)

As a continuing mainstay on the Christian festival and concert circuits, it appears that this band's popularity will continue to surge. As they refuse to be defined by most Christian music trends, the determination and creativity of this band are a great example of succeeding in Christian music on their own terms.