By Andy Argyrakis

SKILLET COMES ALIVE

With over 400,000 albums sold so far, Skillet’s Comatose is on its way to becoming an alternative rock classic. Though attention continues to mount from that 2006 studio CD, John Cooper & Co. drop Comatose Comes Alive (Atlantic/INO/Ardent) as an audio and visual combo pack. The CD features a full concert from the spring leg of the mostly sold-out tour including “Whispers In the Dark,” “Rebirthing” and “The Older I Get” (with several bonus acoustic cuts), while the DVD mirrors the same set list (plus contains several bonus music videos).

ADDITIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACTION

INO Records also releases an additional pair of albums from alternative rockers, starting with veterans Disciple, who turn in Southern Hospitality. In addition to the group’s heavy-handed riffs, the new collection features a more traditional rock ‘n’ roll vibe crossed with the blues. The project also boasts three new members, with guitarist Andrew Welch (formerly of Capital Lights), guitarist Micah Sannan (formerly of Falling Up) and bassist Israel Beachy (formerly of Staple) now making Disciple a super group of sorts. Newer but still fairly established modern rockers Building 429 also turn over a new leaf on a self-titled CD thanks to a new label deal with INO following several releases on Word.

A SEQUEL BEFORE A PREQUEL

Singer/songwriter Andrew Peterson is known just as much for his impressive artistic outpouring as his wry sense of humor, both of which are equally apparent throughout The Resurrection Letters, Volume 2 (Centricity). While his poetic phrasing and comforting, coffeehouse appeal is still in tact, the title is particularly ironic considering the first installment has yet to be released! Nonetheless, there’s plenty of spiritual sustenance revolving around this Easter theme, though the message is certainly applicable any time of year (including Christmas).

For a complete list of new and upcoming albums, check out our new releases page.