John Cooper discusses vulnerability and hope in new Skillet EP

Skillet frontman John Cooper is reflecting on the band's enduring career as they prepare to release their new six-song independent EP, After the Storm, on October 9. Produced by David Cowell and guitarist Korey Cooper, the project features a return to the band's heavier, early sound while exploring themes of grief, anger, and perseverance. Cooper describes the EP as the band's most vulnerable work to date, intended to offer hope to listeners navigating life's difficult realities.

Cooper observes that the band is currently reaching a younger demographic, many of whom are discovering Skillet for the first time. He attributes this renewed interest in rock music to a cultural shift away from the superficiality he believes characterized popular music prior to 2020. According to Cooper, the uncertainty and suffering following the pandemic created a hunger for music that acknowledges human brokenness and struggle. He suggests that rock music provides a necessary outlet for those feeling alienated or angry, asserting that life is often a trial rather than a state of constant perfection.