Multi-platinum rock band Skillet are taking the spotlight on the September issue of CCM Magazine, with the full cover experience set to premiere September 1.
The feature arrives as the band approaches nearly three decades since forming and marks 20 years since the release of their landmark album Comatose. Rather than simply looking back at their long career, the conversation also focuses on what lies ahead as Skillet prepares to enter another chapter.
Frontman John Cooper and Korey Cooper sat down with CCM’s Logan Sekulow for an in-depth conversation covering the band’s history, the lasting impact of Comatose and the difficult experiences that helped shape their forthcoming independent EP, After the Storm.
The discussion explores some of the more challenging moments behind the new project, including themes of pain, betrayal and perseverance, while also examining the role faith played in helping the band navigate a particularly difficult period.
John Cooper expressed his appreciation for the conversation, describing the experience with Sekulow and the CCM team as an opportunity to reflect on Skillet’s history while discussing the band’s new music and their continued passion for rock ‘n’ roll.
The September issue also goes beyond the interview with an exclusive Skillet performance. The visual presentation was designed to match the intensity and emotional weight of the band’s latest chapter, placing the group against a dramatic rock formation that gives the performance a raw and striking atmosphere.
CCM’s Logan Sekulow said the feature offered an opportunity to celebrate where Skillet have been while exploring the story behind what comes next. For CCM, the band’s upcoming chapter proved just as important as their decades of history.
Amanda Sekulow, who helped direct and style the cover performance, explained that the visual concept was built around Skillet appearing to emerge from a cave, creating a setting that felt powerful, raw and slightly otherworldly while still allowing the band’s identity to remain at the centre.
The feature arrives ahead of the release of After the Storm, a six-song EP scheduled for October 9. Produced by David Cowell and Korey Cooper, the project takes Skillet back toward their heavier musical roots while exploring some of the band’s most personal and hopeful material.
The EP has already been introduced with “Scream”, followed by the powerful new single “Lift Me Up,” giving listeners an early glimpse into the direction of the project.
As Skillet approach their fourth decade, their reach remains substantial. The band have sold more than 23 million albums and currently average around 12 million monthly Spotify listeners, with their catalogue continuing to connect with new generations around the world.
The CCM cover story therefore arrives at an interesting point in Skillet’s journey. Twenty years after Comatose helped define a major era for the band, they are now using the experiences that followed to shape a new body of music.
Skillet’s September cover story, exclusive interview and performance will premiere September 1 at CCM Magazine and across the publication’s digital platforms, giving fans a closer look at the people and experiences behind After the Storm.
