Collide (2003)

Collide is the fifth studio album by the Christian rock band Skillet, released on November 18, 2003 by Ardent Records. Paul Ebersold produced all tracks except "Fingernails," which was produced solely by John Cooper.

Collide is more nu metal and alternative rock, leaving behind the industrial rock of their previous albums. This is the first Skillet album to feature Ben Kasica on guitars full time. The album was reissued and remastered to the mainstream market by the Lava label, which is a subsidiary of Atlantic Records on May 25, 2004. The reissue featured an extra track "Open Wounds," which was produced by Kevin Kadish. Their rock single and music video for "Savior" gave the band their first crossover hit into the mainstream rock market and entered the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart peaking at number 26. It was the first of many songs to chart on the Billboard rock charts in addition to charting the Christian music charts.

Collide debuted and peaked at number 9 on the Top Christian Albums and at number 179 on the Billboard 200 Albums charts. Skillet picked up Dove Award nominations for Modern Rock Recorded Song of the Year for "Savior" in 2004 and was nominated for Modern Rock Album of the Year in 2005. Also in 2005, Skillet earned their first Grammy nomination for Best Rock Gospel Album. Collide has sold more than 320,000 copies in the U.S. alone. It was the beginning of Skillet's rise to stardom. Not since Stryper has a Christian rock band sold this many copies of an album.

Track listing on the 2004 reissue of Collide

All songs were written by John Cooper, except where noted.

1. Forsaken -4:13

2. Savior -4:34

3. Open Wounds (John Cooper, Kevin Kadish) -3:15

4. A Little More (John Cooper, Korey Cooper) -4:50

5. My Obsession -5:01

6. Collide (John Cooper, Paul Ebersold) -5:39

7. Fingernails -5:07

8. Imperfection -4:07

9. Under My Skin (John Cooper, Korey Cooper) -4:06

10. Energy -3:57

11. Cycle Down -3:59

Personnel

Skillet:

John Cooper -lead vocals, bass guitar

Korey Cooper -backing vocals, keyboards, sampling, drum programming,

acoustic piano, string arrangements

Ben Kasica -backing vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar

Lori Peters -backing vocals, drums

Production credits

Paul Ebersold -producer (tracks 1, 2, 4 -6, 8 -11)

John Cooper -producer (track 7)

Kevin Kadish -producer (track 3)

Radio singles

2003 -2004 "Savior" -#11 R&R Christian CHR, #23 R&R Active Rock #26 Billboard

Mainstream Rock Airplay

2004 -2005 "A Little More" -#11 R&R Christian CHR

Previous release: Alien Youth (2001)

Next release: Comatose (2006)

Watch the music video of "Savior" here: