By Andy Argyrakis

Tour Spotlight: Skillet

For a group that's been in action over a decade, Skillet's truly hit a stride over the past three years since the release of its near-gold-selling album Comatose (Atlantic), which found the foursome hitting the road with the likes of Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Seether and Flyleaf (among several headlining runs). And while many bands choke under the pressure of a blockbuster, these metallic modern rockers have certainly risen to the challenge, finding its new release on the same label, Awake, debuting impressively at No. 2 on Billboard.

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As a result of such phenomenal crossover success, the group had no problem selling out the House of Blues Chicago, but the program actually resembled a mini-arena show instead of merely a club gig. Anyone who caught the band last time through can attest to intense production; but this round, there was even more smoke, sparks and strings. Yes, Skillet pulled a mini orchestra in tow to re-create the grander of both aforementioned albums, similar to the larger-than-life approach of My Chemical Romance channeled through an industrialized Nine Inch Nails.

Opening cuts "Whispers in the Dark" and "Better Than Drugs" blasted off the night with aggressive riffs, icy keys and monstrous harmonies, while "It's Not Me It's You" exploded with additional adrenaline. Last album's smash single "The Older I Get" spoke of frontman John Cooper's ongoing reconciliation with his troubled upbringing, accompanied by a poignant cello part, though the pace quickly picked back up to full throttle come "Hero."

Never ashamed of its metal-influenced power ballads, Skillet also turned to "Yours to Hold" to interject a slow dance into the party, while there were also plenty of praise-centered moments (such as older cuts "Savior" and "My Obsession"). Nonetheless, it was the tour's title track "Awake and Alive" and the additionally explosive "Monster" that truly blew the roof off the hometown show, establishing Skillet's place as a bona fide rock band that truly knows how to pace a set, pleasing its "Panheads" of each era every step of the way.

In addition to the headliners, the marathon bill also included pop/punkers Hawk Nelson turning in a vibrant set from the fresh Live Life Loud (BEC Recordings), including the instant sing-a-longs "Meaning of Life" and the title cut. Decyfer Down also delivered plenty of intensity from its joyously cacophonic CD Crash (INO), as the foursome seemed to gain a new lease on life following a near-tragic van accident and lead singer switch. Newcomers The Letter Black rounded out the tour with a rollicking female-fronted sound along the lines of Flyleaf, Evanescence or Paramore to truly bring the forceful evening full circle.

For a complete list of tour dates, visit skillet.com.