Skillet "Ardent Worship Live"

Title: Ardent Worship Live
Category: Live Alternative
Artist/Group: Skillet
Rating: 4 / 5
Any "Panheads" out there?

Guitarist Ken Steorts explains. "You see, there are three levels in 'Skillethood'. Those who don't know, those who become 'Skilletfanz' through hearing our music, and then 'Panheads,' those who come to three or four shows traveling up to 10 hours, bringing skillets, banners writing on their cars, and so forth."

After listening to this CD, I am definately a "Skilletfanz", hoping to become a "Panhead" some day. When are they coming to Philly for a praise and worship session?

I like this CD. And since I prefer live praise and worship to any other formats, this CD has been getting heavy play time on my Cd player (that, and "Passion Live OneDay" ).

This is Skillet's first live praise and worship CD. Their past three albums can be described as alternative rock and/or European style techno-rave: "Invincible" (2000), "Hey You, I Love Your Soul" (1998) and their debut, "Skillet" (1996)

"Who Is Like Our God" and "Your Name Is Holy" are heavy guitar-riff songs with techno juice made possible by some cool keyboards. "Your Name Is Holy" will sound familiar to those who have Vinyard UK's "Hungry" CD. Again, the electric guitar and keyboard combo, peaking in a whirlwind, really brings new life and energy to this song - you want to jump up and down.

In a word, this CD is "authentic". Okay, it's vibrant and spontaneous too. The recordings on this CD is not too slick or over produced. It sounds kind of rough, a "garage band" sound, if you will. Most importantly, it has heart and soul.

The common thread running through all of Skillet's music is a call to holiness and an unwavering commitment to worship God. "Our goal is to set an example of an uncompromising lifestyle," affirms bassist/lead vocalist John Cooper. By clearly preaching the Good News, we hope to see serious renewal and spiritual fire in the people at our shows."

I don't normally listen to hymns, and when contemporary bands play them, it's hit or miss. Thankfully, Skillet's rendition of "How Deep The Father's Love For Us", immediately following the thrashing alternative rock/techno of the first two songs, really works. Maybe its the lead vocal's "thrashy" voice. His coarse and stormy vocals works especially well with the familiar "Jesus, Jesus (Holy And Anointed One)".

My favorite slow song is "Angels Fall Down", a song of love and adulation for God. Here is a sample of their lyrics:

I saw angels fall down at the glory of the Lord,
And as I raise my hands I sing,
I saw angels fall down at the glory of the Lord,
And as I hit the ground I sing,

And I fall down
Afraid and shaking here
And I fall down
I'm perfectly safe right here....

After a few listens, one sees a pattern emerging, and "Sing to the Lord" and "Angels Fall Down" is vintage: a slow tempo and energy that builds and builds - with some incredible complementary female vocals - in a blistering cry of worship to our Almighty God. This really is "ardent" (eager, zealous, fevent, impassioned) worship.

There are alot of live praise and worship "stuff" available, many much more polished than this one. This CD a "diamond in the ruff", a real gem. But then for all those "Panheads" out there, you already knew that.

Check out Skillet's official webpage

Reviewed by Mark Kim

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