Collide is the fifth studio album by American Christian rock band Skillet. It was originally released on Ardent Records on November 18, 2003. Inspired by acts like Linkin Park and P.O.D., Collide peaked at No. 179 on the Billboard 200 and No. 5 on the Top Heatseekers. The album was re-released on Lava Records as an enhanced CD with the bonus track "Open Wounds" on May 25, 2004.
The album artwork, according to John Cooper in a 2004 interview, is "faith and fear colliding." The 2004 reissue cover art features a warmer, brighter version of the original artwork. The album has sold over 320,000 units in the USA alone. The album received positive reviews. Collide was nominated for "Best Rock Gospel Album" at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards on February 13, 2005. Even though the album has sold enough copies to go gold, it has never been certified by the RIAA. Compared with the industrial rock sound of Skillet's last two records, Collide features a heavier, nu metal sound.
Music video A music video was made for the single "Savior". The video shows the band playing in both a house and at a park at night. It became only the second Skillet music video to include a story, after "Best Kept Secret" from Invincible in 2000, though the story in the "Savior" video is more heavily featured. The video shows an abusive father mistreating his children in the house, and the subsequent escape of the children from him. They make their way to the park, while the location where the band plays switches from one to the other. The video ends with the children being safe in their mother's arms. Lead singer and bassist, John Cooper, has said that 'Savior' is a song written mostly about his childhood. Although he was not physically abused by his father, he had a very destructive emotional relationship with him.
Track listing All lyrics and music written by John L. Cooper, except where noted.
Personnel Credits taken from the CD liner notes.
Skillet John L. Cooper – lead vocals, bass; producer (7) Korey Cooper – keyboards, sampler, piano, drum programming, strings arranger Ben Kasica – acoustic guitars, electric guitar, backing vocals Lori Peters – drums, backing vocals
Production Paul Ebersold – producer (1, 2, 4–6, 8–11); audio engineer (1–2, 4–11); strings arranger, additional piano Kevin Kadish – producer (3) Curry Weber – audio engineer (1, 2, 4–11) Matt Martone – audio engineer (1, 2, 4–11) Skidd Mills – mixing (all tracks); audio engineer (1, 2, 4–11) John Goodmanson – audio engineer (3) Scott Hardin – assistant engineer (1, 2, 4–11) Ryan Wiley – assistant engineer (1, 2, 4–11) Scott Hull – mastering at The Hit Factory (New York City, New York) Zachary Kelm – management (Q Management Group, Franklin, TN) Asterik Studio – art direction, design (Seattle, Washington) Christiév Carothers and Everything Visual – imaging Margaret Malandruccolo – band photography Kris McCaddon – additional photography Richard Bates, Liz Barrett – art direction (2004 reissue) Andrew Karp – A&R direction (2004 reissue)
Charts Chart (2003) Peak position
References