Skillet - 'Vital Signs'

All in all an excellent "dip your toe" release for new fans before they inevitably go out and buy the entire back catalogue.

After a triumphant tour with Nickelback last year, Skillet realised that they perhaps had more fans in Europe than they thought. Cue a headlining tour taking in four U.K. dates and an exclusive Europe-only album release featuring the best songs – not necessarily the "greatest hits" – from their three Atlantic Records releases. Ownership rights meant that earlier material recorded with Ardent didn't make this album which is a shame as that prevents the inclusion of songs from the excellent 2003 release 'Collide'.

This album is basically for those who essentially first heard Skillet when they opened for Nickelback and those who have maybe started to get interested in the band through one or two songs. Hardcore fans will no doubt have all of Skillet's material from the original releases and as there are no bonus tracks on offer on 'Vital Signs', there will be little of interest here for them. Atlantic has clearly missed a trick here by not including any as it would have surely boosted sales.



If on the other hand you are a newbie to Skillet, then this is a great starting point. There are three songs from latest album 'Rise' including 'Not Gonna Die', three from 'Awake' including the magnificent 'Awake And Alive' and four from the Brian Howes-produced Atlantic debut including John Cooper's favourite song 'Rebirthing'.

All in all an excellent "dip your toe" release for new fans before they inevitably go out and buy the entire back catalogue starting with the bona fide classic 'Comatose'.

Mike Newdeck