JesusfreakHideout.com: Highlighting 2016 Part One -- Looking Ahead To New Music In The First Half of 2016

For our 10th annual Highlighting feature, we split the year into TWO pieces -- January to June and July to December. Each list contains 10 artists/releases for a total of 20 in total for 2016. So, without further ado, we give you Highlighting First-Half 2016!

9 of 10

#9. Skillet
untitled

Release Date: Sometime 2016

I haven't really loved a Skillet project since Comatose. I'm not one of those fans that needs them to return to the heavier sound of Collide (though that would be nice), but they have not been reaching their full potential on Awake or Rise. With the exception of Awake, Skillet takes a new direction with every album so I am definitely excited to hear what is next.
- Christopher Smith

Ever since the popularity of Skillet really took off after Comatose, they have been in an unenviable (if not impossible) position of trying to appeal to two very distinct generations of fans. Rise honorably tried to fix many of the problems of Awake, but it also brought a new set of problems, and some old ones still remained. I feel for the band; they are hardworking and genuine, and I want more than anything for Skillet's 2016 edition to erase the past ten years of doubt and frustration.
- Mark Rice

It's been 20 years since Skillet released their debut album (and 20 years since I first fell in love with their initial raw grunge rock sound), so while the past couple records haven't been all that appealing to me, I'm forever a panhead who will look forward to the next offering from this talented bunch.
- John DiBiase

I've been a panhead for as long as I've listened to Christian music, and while they may never release another Collide, they constantly put out solid rock tunes worth blasting.
- Kevin Hoskins

Skillet is a band that has consistently thought big throughout their career. Whether it's with a stage show that features massive pyrotechnics, moving hydraulic stages or a concept album about a dystopian future, like last album Rise. A new album from these veterans is always an intriguing prospect.
- Alex Caldwell

Visit our Skillet page for more information about them...

2016 Countdown: January to June

10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1