JFH News: Skillet Announce After the Storm EP, Out October 9; Release New Single "Lift Me Up"

SKILLET ANNOUNCE AFTER THE STORM EP, OUT OCTOBER 9; RELEASE NEW SINGLE "LIFT ME UP"

With more than 7 million global streams already on "Scream," the band enters its next chapter with its most vulnerable and hopeful music to date

NEWS SOURCE: The Media Collective
August 14, 2026

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- August 14, 2026 - With one of the biggest global audiences of its career and more than 7 million global streams already on its latest single "Scream," multi-Platinum rock band Skillet today announced its new independent EP, After the Storm, arriving October 9, and released the project's newest single and anime-inspired lyric video,"Lift Me Up." The six-song EP is available for pre-save now, with "Lift Me Up" available everywhere today.

The announcement comes during one of the most remarkable periods of sustained momentum in Skillet's nearly 30-year career. The band now averages more than 12 million monthly Spotify listeners, while its six-times-Platinum anthem "Monster" has surpassed 5 billion global streams, earned a place in Spotify's Billions Club, and became the first song by a Christian artist to surpass one billion Spotify streams. Earlier this year, Skillet's European headline tour drew the largest international crowds in the band's history, including record-breaking ticket sales at Paris' Z�nith.

Produced by David Cowell (Sleep Theory) and the band's own Korey Cooper, After the Storm marks both a return to Skillet's heavier musical roots and one of its most personal creative statements to date. Inspired by seasons of betrayal, grief, perseverance, and ultimately hope, the EP finds frontman John Cooper writing from one of the most vulnerable places of his career. See full track listing here.

"After the Storm is special to me because it reignites what Skillet was always meant to be -- which is music that helps lift people out of dark times," says Cooper. "I wrote these songs because I needed to be lifted out of my own darkness."

The EP's newest single, "Lift Me Up," pairs crushing guitars with an arena-sized chorus that captures the heart of the project.

"'Lift Me Up' reminds me of early Skillet, but it still feels fresh," Cooper says. "When I wrote it, so many things were dragging me down. I was asking God to lift me up. It's a reminder that even when life feels overwhelming, there is still hope."

The EP follows "Scream," which has already surpassed 7 million global streams and introduced listeners to the emotional landscape of After the Storm. Written in response to anxiety, anger, and the search for purpose amid the constant noise of modern life, the song has quickly resonated with fans around the world.

Skillet will support After the Storm with a nationwide U.S. Live Nation headline tour beginning this October, following a landmark European run that delivered the biggest international audiences of the band's career. For tour info go to SKILLET.COM.

With more than 23 million albums sold, two GRAMMY� Award nominations, a Billboard Music Award, three Top 5 Billboard 200 debuts, and music featured by the NFL, WWE, ESPN, Marvel, and countless film and television productions, Skillet continues to expand its reach across generations.

Nearly three decades into its career, Skillet isn't looking back on its legacy -- it's writing its next chapter. After the Storm captures a band at the height of its global reach while delivering its most vulnerable and hopeful music to date.

EXPLORE THE STORY
HardDrive Radio | The Rock Story

A conversation with John Cooper about Skillet's heavier direction, working with producer David Cowell, and why After the Storm became the band's heaviest and most personal project in years.

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DbjI5-2P6S8/

SPIN Magazine | The Fun Story

The viral story behind how Skillet got its name -- a lighthearted look at the band's beginnings that resonated with music fans far beyond its core audience.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Da21IEzxLy3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

ChurchLeaders | The Deeper Story

John Cooper shares the personal experiences that inspired "Scream," opening up about grief, betrayal, mental health, faith, and how those experiences ultimately shaped After the Storm.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaywFdqOACT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

ABOUT SKILLET:

Skillet tap into the sound of surviving any adversity, dusting yourself off, and getting back up again for another round. Heavy guitars kick with the inspiration to keep going, while stadium-size hooks double as a reminder to never give up no matter what. The quartet -- John Cooper [lead vocals, bass], Korey Cooper [guitar, keys, production], Jen Ledger [drums, vocals], and Seth Morrison [lead guitar] -- have quietly, yet indisputably become one of the biggest global hard rock bands of the 21st century with total album over 23 million, an average of 12 million monthly Spotify listeners, and dozens of massive placements across sports, film, and television. Among a catalog highlighted by chart-topping albums and hits, the 6x-Platinum "Monster" has eclipsed 5 billion global streams, claimed a place in Spotify's "Billions Club," resounded as "one of the most-streamed rock songs of all time," and the only Christian song in history to cross 1 billion Spotify streams. During 2025, their first-ever Christmas release "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" made a viral impact and captured #1 on five Billboard charts. The band's 2026 European tour brought them in front of their biggest international crowds yet -- not only selling out shows across the continent, but breaking ticket sales records at venues like Z�nith Paris. Awarded multiplatinum, platinum, or gold RIAA certifications for 12 singles and four full-length albums, the group have notably garnered two GRAMMY� Award nominations, earned a Billboard Music Award, and impressively delivered three Top 5 debuts on the Billboard 200. Widening the scope of this vision, Skillet launched the graphic novel series EDEN with Z2. Kicking off another chapter, Skillet decided to get heavier and punch harder on their 2026 independent EP, After The Storm, introduced by the single "Scream."

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For more info on Skillet, visit the JFH Artists Database.