Skillet’s ‘Scream’ Reaches No. 1 on Christian Rock Chart

Christian rock band Skillet’s new single, “Scream,” reached No. 1 on ChristianRock.Net and drew more than 1.3 million views on YouTube during its first month of release.

The song stood at No. 12 on ChristianRock.Net’s Top 30 dated Aug. 9, down from eighth a week earlier. It also reached No. 14 on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales chart.

Released July 10, “Scream” is the first song from a six-track project expected during the band’s fall tour, RadioU reported. Additional music is planned for later this year.

READ: Rock music can glorify God, says Cooper

Frontman John Cooper said the song grew out of a difficult period marked by betrayal, depression and what he described as a “dark night of the soul.”

Cooper told ChurchLeaders in July that suffering can leave people feeling trapped amid so much noise that their cries remain internal. Christians who experience depression sometimes question whether it reflects a lack of faith, he said.

There’s nothing shameful about suffering

“There’s nothing shameful about suffering,” Cooper told the outlet.

Although the song carries an angry sound, Cooper said its central message is not anger or surrender. He called the scream “a sign of resistance,” representing the decision to trust God and continue fighting through pain.

Cooper has also tied the song to the effects of hostile online exchanges. In a separate interview with Crosswalk Headlines, he urged Christians to limit their time on social media and respond graciously to people with whom they disagree.

Before you start judging someone else, judge yourself

“Before you start judging someone else, judge yourself,” Cooper said.

Skillet will begin its 24-city “Comatose: 20 Years, Still Screaming Tour” on Sept. 30. The tour commemorates the 20th anniversary of “Comatose,” the 2006 album that helped broaden the band’s audience.

The tour stops at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City at 7 p.m. Oct. 20.

Skillet also recently marked another commercial milestone. Its 2009 recording “Monster” has joined Spotify’s Billions Club after surpassing 1 billion plays. The band says it is the only song by a Christian artist to reach that threshold.

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–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice