I was beyond excited to finally photograph at this venue. Ever since my first visit, it had been sitting on my bucket list, so getting the opportunity to capture a legendary band like Skillet on that stage made the experience even more special. Unfortunately, after getting off work, I found myself caught in a considerable amount of traffic, meaning I missed the beginning of the night. So, we’ll start this review with Escape The Fate!
You can’t talk about Escape The Fate without acknowledging the band’s history, especially its former fron-tman, Ronnie Radke. But over the years, Escape The Fate has proven that they are much more than a band defined by their past. They’ve weathered lineup changes, continued pushing forward, and built an identity of their own. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them perform twice at Aftershock Festival, and each time, it’s clear that this is a band that continues to evolve.
Although the crowd may not have been their typical audience, they still drew a solid turnout and delivered an energetic performance. One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Escape The Fate is their ability to balance aggressive screams with melodic vocals, bringing together the best elements of metalcore. There’s a certain intensity to their sound that keeps you engaged, and they certainly didn’t let the crowd’s varying musical tastes hold them back. They showed up, delivered, and reminded everyone why they’ve continued to stand their ground in the scene.
And now, let’s talk about Skillet.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of an album is an incredible milestone for any band, but there’s something particularly special about seeing a Christian rock band like Skillet reach that level of longevity while remaining unapologetically true to who they are. Throughout their career, they’ve never shied away from their faith or felt the need to hide that part of their identity. Instead, they’ve embraced it, allowing those beliefs to remain a defining part of their music and message. I genuinely believe that authenticity is one of the reasons they’ve connected with so many people over the years.
Having spent quite a bit of time around festivals and within the rock and metal community, I can honestly say I’ve rarely encountered anyone who has anything negative to say about Skillet. They’re one of those bands that seem to transcend musical boundaries. Whether you’re into heavy metal, hard rock, or something entirely different, there’s something about their music that brings people together. And let’s be honest, when a band can get even the most hardcore metalheads nodding along, you know they’re doing something right!
What makes Skillet even more impressive is that they show absolutely no signs of slowing down. Their energy, passion, and ability to command a stage have remained a huge part of their identity, even after all these years. And while celebrating two decades of an album is certainly worth looking back on, Skillet is still very much focused on what’s ahead, having recently released their six-track EP, After The Storm. There’s something special about a band that can celebrate its history while continuing to create new music, connect with fans, and bring people together. Skillet has managed to do exactly that, and after all these years, their impact on the rock scene is still undeniable.
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