Veteran rock band Skillet celebrates the 20th anniversary of Comatosewhile previewing a new era of music with an upcoming single and fall North American headline run.
Skillet are preparing for the next chapter of their career with the announcement of their upcoming single, “Scream,”scheduled for release on July 10, alongside the reveal of the band’s Comatose: 20 Years, Still Screaming Tour, a North American headline run set for this fall.
Produced by Live Nation, the tour commemorates the 20th anniversary of Comatose, the 2006 album that became one of the defining releases in Skillet’s catalog. Rather than serving strictly as a retrospective, the tour will also introduce fans to the band’s next musical era, with “Scream” acting as the first preview of additional material expected later in 2026.
The announcement follows a significant year for the multi-platinum rock group. Their signature single “Monster”recently surpassed 4 billion global streams and joined Spotify’s Billions Club, marking another milestone for one of modern rock’s most recognizable songs. According to the band’s announcement, “Monster” also remains the only song by a Christian artist to exceed one billion streams on Spotify. Those achievements came shortly after Skillet completed a sold-out European headline tour that drew more than 90,000 fans across 23 cities, representing the largest international audiences of the band’s career.
For the band’s new material, frontman John Cooper said Skillet intentionally returned to familiar creative surroundings.
“We went back to Memphis and worked with a producer who knew the band before we’d made our first record,” Cooper said. “Life has taken some great turns, but it’s also taken some painful turns. Now we’re here, and we still have more of a story to tell. The music kept getting heavier, and I said, ‘We’ve got to go all-in.’”
According to the band, “Scream” explores feelings of frustration, anxiety, and searching for purpose amid an increasingly chaotic world. Cooper said the song reflects the emotional strain many people experience while navigating constant conflict and negativity online.
“I don’t think I’m the only one who’s noticing the volatility of the world and how social media is a cesspool where people are constantly yelling at each other,” Cooper explained. “It’s not helping anyone’s mental health. In this landscape, it’s easy to feel like nothing matters. ‘Scream’ is about wanting your life to matter when the world feels chaotic and overwhelming.”
Alongside the new music, the upcoming tour will revisit one of Skillet’s most influential releases. Originally issued in 2006, Comatose helped establish the band’s signature blend of hard rock, alternative metal, and faith-driven themes while significantly expanding their audience. Cooper said the anniversary tour will feature songs that have become staples of the band’s live performances alongside deeper cuts that fans have rarely—or never—heard performed live.
“When we released our 2006 album, COMATOSE, we all had a feeling that we were making something special,” Cooper recalled. “What we didn’t know is that the album would change the trajectory of the band’s career. It defined our sound, our message, and propelled the band into a much bigger level of notoriety. But most importantly, it resonated with all kinds of people from all walks of life.”
He continued:
“At every show, someone tells me that this record helped them through the darkest times of their life. That is why we wanted to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Comatose by doing something we have never done—commemorating the album by dedicating a large portion of the show to these songs that are so meaningful to the band and so many others. Some of them we have played a thousand times. Others we have never played. We are excited to perform them alongside our catalog on this once in a lifetime tour.”
With more than two decades of commercial success, Skillet remain one of rock’s most successful crossover acts. The band has sold more than 23 million albums worldwide, earned multiple platinum and gold certifications from the RIAA, received two Grammy Award nominations, and consistently maintained a strong presence across rock radio and streaming platforms. Their catalog has also become a fixture in sports broadcasts, film, television, and video game placements, helping introduce the band to audiences beyond the traditional rock community.
The upcoming tour and new music suggest that while Skillet are celebrating one of the most important albums in their history, they are also looking ahead rather than relying solely on nostalgia. As fans revisit Comatose, the arrival of “Scream” signals the beginning of the band’s next creative cycle.
Tour Dates
September
Sept. 30 — Schenectady, NY — Proctors Theatre
October
Oct. 2 — Philadelphia, PA — The Fillmore
Oct. 3 — Montclair, NJ — The Wellmont Theater
Oct. 4 — Huntington, NY — The Paramount
Oct. 7 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Oct. 8 — Silver Spring, MD — The Fillmore Silver Spring
Oct. 10 — Grand Rapids, MI — GLC Live at 20 Monroe
Oct. 11 — Detroit, MI — The Fillmore
Oct. 12 — Pittsburgh, PA — Citizens Live at The Wylie
Oct. 14 — St. Louis, MO — The Pageant
Oct. 16 — Minneapolis, MN — Uptown Theater
Oct. 17 — Milwaukee, WI — Landmark Credit Union Live
Oct. 18 — Omaha, NE — Steelhouse Omaha
Oct. 20 — Kansas City, MO — The Midland Theatre
Oct. 22 — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium
Oct. 23 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Union Event Center
Oct. 26 — Airway Heights, WA — Pend Oreille Pavilion at Northern Quest
Oct. 27 — Seattle, WA — Moore Theatre
Oct. 30 — Wheatland, CA — Hard Rock Live Sacramento
Oct. 31 — Inglewood, CA — YouTube Theater
November
Nov. 1 — Phoenix, AZ — The Van Buren
Nov. 5 — Dallas, TX — House of Blues
Nov. 6 — San Antonio, TX — The Aztec Theatre
Nov. 10 — Orlando, FL — House of Blues
Release Information
Single: “Scream”
Release Date: July 10, 2026
The song serves as the first preview of additional new Skillet music expected later in 2026.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the Comatose: 20 Years, Still Screaming Tour are currently available through Live Nation and Skillet’s official website.
Additional Information
The tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of Skillet’s landmark 2006 album Comatose, with the band planning to perform many of the record’s best-known songs alongside selections that have rarely—or never—been played live.
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