Much can be said about nu-metal/alternative rock quartet Skillet. From what began as a three-piece modern rock outfit, which eventually led to two of the members splitting, along with the addition of Jon Cooper's wife Korey on keyboards and synths and two lead guitarist changes, the band has redefined their unique sound multiple times. Industrialized melodic rock sounds were the primary key point in the albums "Hey You, I Love Your Soul" and "Invincible," while "Alien Youth" and the metal-oriented "Collide" returned the band to its modern rock roots with a more aggressive approach. The October 3rd release of "Comatose" finds Skillet once again revamping their sound like never before.

This time around, a great majority of the album's songs focus on more orchestrated-type themes combined with synths and heavy guitar rhythms. It's no surprise that the band aimed to be more diverse with this project. Besides the musical arrangements differing from "Collide" with more string-laced melodies in songs such as 'Rebirthing,' "Comatose" features more vocal time from Korey Cooper, particularly on the crunchy rock number 'Falling Into Black" and a duet with her husband Jon on "The Last Night,". The latter discusses a young girl's cry for escape from domestic chaos in the midst of her own ways of coping through self abuse(such as cutting). Lyrically, many of the songs present positive, encouraging, and spiritual messages.

A re-ocurring theme on "Comatose" is the topic of loneliness, whereas the track 'Whispers in the Dark'features a heavy, melodic arrangement while describing an encouraging letter written to the believer from God's point of view. In a similar instance, the ballad 'Yours to Hold' is written from the perspective of a person urging their friend(s) not to lose hope because they are not alone. Spiritual themes are a plenty on the album as well, with 'Better Than Drugs' comparing the love of Christ to drug addiction and alcohol, which dares to push lyrical boundaries. The album's title track also mentions that an overdose of God is the only way to be awakened from one's state of sin.

The diversity of "Comatose" becomes most evident in the pop/rock-ish 'Those Nights,' which may disappoint fans of Skillet's more aggressive recordings, but eventually gets better with repeated listens. The CD's lighter moments are slightly mellower and laid back this time around as portrayed in the songs 'Say Goodbye' and 'The Older I Get'. Ending the album on a positive note is the pop-rocker 'Looking For Angels,' which has Jon speaking the verses instead of singing them, yet with perfect execution. Though it's a new approach for the band, they pull it off well.

Overall, "Comatose" may surprise those who were expecting alot of the same from Skillet's last record "Collide" as it returns to more synth-esque harmonies and melodic rock anthems. However, with spiritual themes offering hope to the lonely and brokenhearted and a call to action for believers should easily make "Comatose" a worthy addition to Skillet's already impressive collection.

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