NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Christian rock band Skillet wants to expand into the mainstream market with an album that examines such topics as teen suicide and self-mutilation.
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"Comatose," Skillet's seventh album, supplies hard rock anthems alongside radio-friendly ballads. Singer John Cooper also explores his turbulent relationship with his father.
The band started eyeing mainstream outlets with its previous effort, "Collide," which was picked up by Atlantic Records' Lava Records unit and sold 203,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
"When we made 'Collide,"' Cooper says, "there was a shift from writing lyrics about my relationship with God to writing lyrics about relationships that all kinds of people are dealing with, not just what the Christians feel, but all people feel."
Comprising Cooper on vocals and bass; his wife, Korey, on keyboards; Ben Kasica on guitar; and Lori Peters on drums, Skillet launched 10 years ago in Memphis, but is now based in Kenosha, Wis. The band began its career on Ardent/ForeFront Records, recording three albums -- including 2001's "Alien Youth," which sold 133,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
When the members started the "Comatose" sessions last spring, their Atlantic rep Andy Karp challenged them to make their own "Hysteria," referencing the landmark 1987 Def Leppard release. Karp says the goal was "a record with five or six singles on it, where the album tracks are better than most people's singles . . . I think they hit the mark."
Cooper cites "Hysteria" as one of his favorite albums.
"That was the goal, to make a record where every song on that record was really awesome. Today's records are more about singles than entire albums."
Because Cooper says the members never wanted to abandon its Christian fans, Ardent will distribute the new album to Christian outlets, while Atlantic is handling mainstream outlets.
The first single targeted at the secular market, "Whispers in the Dark," was the second most-added song at active rock radio the week of September 19. The first Christian single, "Rebirthing," has already hit No. 1 on the Christian rock chart of Billboard's sister publication R&R.
Karp sees Skillet carrying forward the legacy of legendary Atlantic rock acts like Led Zeppelin, Genesis and Yes. "All of those acts . . . took a long time to develop," Karp says. "Skillet has paid their dues, and I think the time is now."
