After the Storm (EP) (2026)
After the Storm is an extended play by the Christian rock band Skillet, released on October 9, 2026 by Hear It Loud Records. With only six songs totaling 21 minutes, the project marks a deliberate return to the band’s heavier, guitar-driven musical roots while delivering some of frontman John Cooper’s most vulnerable lyrics to date, written during personal seasons of grief and betrayal.
After the Storm was produced by Cooper's wife and band mate Korey Cooper and David Cowell, each splitting three tracks. According to the band, the project acts as a sonic shift toward heavier, distorted arrangements following their 2025 Christmas single "O Come O Come Emmanuel." Cooper noted that the record was written to "reignite what Skillet was always meant to be—which is music that helps lift people out of dark times." The band is supporting the release with a nationwide U.S. tour. Physical copies, including CD and multiple vinyl variants (Eye of the Storm, Rolling Blackout, and Thundercloud), are available through the official Skillet store at their website.
"Scream" was released as the lead single along with a music video on July 10, 2026. The song addresses anxiety and modern noise. The following month on August 14, the second single "Lift Me Up" was released and is reminiscent of the early Skillet era of the late 1990s and early 2000s. "Grave Stomper" was released as a promotional single on the day of the EP drop.
Track listing
1. Scream (John Cooper, Korey Cooper) -3:27
2. Lift Me Up (John Cooper, Korey Cooper, David Cowell) -3:25
3. Grave Stomper (John Cooper) -3:51
4. After the Storm (John Cooper, Korey Cooper, David Cowell) -3:46
5. Heaven Help Us (John Cooper, Korey Cooper) -3:47
6. Come and Find Me (John Cooper, Korey Cooper, David Cowell) -3:25
Personnel
Skillet:
John Cooper -lead vocals, bass guitar
Korey Cooper -keyboards, rhythm guitar, programming
Seth Morrison -lead guitar
Jen Ledger -drums and vocals on track 6
additional musicians:
Chris Marvin -backing vocals (tracks 1, 3 and 5)
David Cowell -synthesizer, piano, programming and backing vocals (tracks 2, 4
and 6)
Production credits
Korey Cooper -producer (tracks 1, 3 and 5)
David Cowell -producer (tracks 2, 4 and 6)
Radio singles
2026 "Scream" -#27 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, -#28 Billboard Mainstream
Rock Airplay, -#11 Billboard Hot Hard Rock Songs
2026 "Lift Me Up" -#40 Billboard Hot Christian Songs, -#24 Billboard Hot Hard Rock
Songs
Previous release: Revolution (2024)
Watch the After the Fire visualizer containing audio and visuals:
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