Skillet – Disciple – Decyfer Down Concert
Last night I went to the Skillet, Disciple, Decyfer Down Concert in Greensburg Pa. Due to a slight scheduling error we ended up missing Most of Decyfer Down but we did get to hear the last two songs of their set. I was interested in how the new vocalist TJ Harris would fit in and how the overall sound would change. Well I’m happy to say that from what I got to hear Decyfer Down is better than ever.
Next up was Disciple, and to tell the truth Disciple was the reason I went last night. I enjoy both Decyfer Down and Skillet but there is just something about the southern Rock sound of Disciple that really strikes a chord in me. So when they started their set with Game On and continued to rock their way through their set I was more than enjoying myself. Disciple is what I think of when I think Rock. Halfway through their set Kevin (the vocalist) took the time to remind people that God doesn’t care what you look like, what you have done in the past, or anything else. That God loves you just the way are, He goes on to say that God also Loves you to much to leave you the way you are. He then urged everyone no matter where they were in their lives or what was going on to reach out and trust Christ.
Disciple played a great set including several of the songs from their newest CD Southern Hospitality — which I reviewed here the day it came out Read it here. Of the three times I have seen Disciple play live, I would rank last night as the best show I have seen them put out. As usual I was left wanting more and looking forward to the next time they are in the area. I told Mike during the break that Skillet would have to go along way to impress me more than Disciple did.
Let me just stop here and explain. I like Skillet, I really do, I just like Disciple more. it has more to do with individual styles than anything else. With that being said I was looking forward to the skillet concert.
As the Concert started I knew I was in for enjoyable time as two spotlights picked out the violinist and cello players on the top of the speaker stacks. From that point on I had to admit that skillet deserved to be headlining the show and a live skillet show is not to be mocked or missed. I almost felt bad for my pastor who missed the show. (well ok I do feel bad he missed it). I was surprised to find out that as I sit here now listening to the skillet CD (comatose but more on the new CD in a little while) I find that I can see the live performance in my mind at the same time. While it is true that Disciple is still one of my favorite bands I can say that after that live show skillet is on that list as well.
One of the major themes of the night was, as John (lead singer for Skillet) said was the idea of Hope. The idea that no matter what happens, no matter what you are going through There is a God and He loves you more than you could ever know. Even at my great and advanced age I find this a message that I need reminded of, just as I hope that rest of the audience was reminded as well. Actually from the applause and shouts of AMEN! I know they were reminded of it.
Now I mentioned the New CD, well it seems they announced during the concert that they had just finished recording a New CD that will be out in August. They also played two new songs that were going to be on the new CD. “Hero” and “Monsters” both songs make my fingers itch in a primal desire to get this New CD. If I do manage to aquire a review copy before it is released in august I will promise two things. First you all will get the review the day I get the CD and Secondly I will try not to gloat.
My last words are if you have the chance to go to see Skillet play live you should go. Don’t let little things like life distance or pesky things like disease or death be an excuse. I can promise, If you miss the concert not only will you spend your days kicking yourself but I’m pretty sure God will kill a puppy just to make sure you feel bad.
You can see all the photos of the Concert by going to http://www.jtindie.com/2009/04/skillet-disciple-concert-photos/
