Comatose Comes Alive

Flamboyant in its faith, Skillet has influenced a host of Christian pop/rock acts since it emerged in the late ‘90s. The group has refined its bold showmanship and glam rock-influenced sound over the years, with frontman John Cooper adding more gravitas to his glitz-drenched persona. Comatose Comes Alive neatly sums up what Skillet does well. More than anything, this album — also released as a DVD — captures the reverent frenzy of its pyrotechnics-laden live performances. Skillet runs through the tunes from its 2006 Comatose album, turning in especially strong versions of “The Last Night,” “Falling Inside the Black,” and “Better Than Drugs.” Searing guitars and hard-flailing drums keep the set moving at a brisk pace. Cooper’s charismatic presence — bringing to mind Midnight Oil’s Peter Garrett at times — is palpable, underscored by his group’s bombastic sonic thrust. Acoustic takes of “Yours to Hold,” “The Older I Get,” and other tunes reveal the solid foundations behind all the flash and fury. Comatose Comes Alive is comparable to similarly-titled live albums by the likes of Kiss and Peter Frampton – there’s excess here, but also real excitement. Skillet’s sizzle is caught in these tracks.