Skillet frontman John Cooper has revealed the deeply personal inspiration behind the band’s July 10 single “Scream.” A series of shocking lies and betrayals over the last two years triggered a relapse of clinical depression he thought he had overcome decades ago. In a candid discussion, Cooper explained that the emotional track represents the band’s most vulnerable work in a long time. The upcoming full release features six songs that delve into the hardest aspects of life.
“I call it a ‘scream’ because this is definitely the most vulnerable that we’ve been in a long time,” Cooper stated. “It feels emotional, dealing with the hard stuff in life.” He noted that most people immediately understand what the song is about when they hear it. Some listeners questioned the song’s spiritual relevance, but Cooper emphasized that the core message resonates universally. “In reality, most people know what this means,” he added.
Cooper attributed the song’s raw honesty to personal struggles that have unfolded over recent years. “There’s some things that have happened in my life the last couple of years, which I won’t get much into except to say I’m writing from a very personal place in this,” he explained. “I’ve gone through quite a lot in the last couple of years, a lot of my own dark night of the soul and betrayal and lies and things that have been said about me.” The rug was pulled out from underneath him and his wife Korey in a way they never thought would happen. “And so because of that, I began to really struggle with that chaos, that confusion, and in a way that I really hadn’t in decades,” he continued.
The unexpected return of depression marked a significant turning point for Cooper, who had experienced decades of stability regarding his mental health struggles. Depression manifested in ways he did not expect. “I thought I was done with that, and he came back,” Cooper said. “The black dog came back.” This resurgence prompted Cooper to channel his experience into songwriting, determined to break the silence surrounding mental health in faith communities.
Cooper’s current struggle is rooted in a lifetime of profound trauma and spiritual evolution. He lost his mother to cancer at age 15, an experience that plunged him into a dark period. During that time, he struggled with violent thoughts and fantasized about hurting people. His mother’s unwavering faith became an anchor during that darkness. His own turn to God at age 16 provided spiritual grounding. These experiences ultimately led him to start Skillet as a means to help others struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. That foundational faith journey shaped decades of relative stability, making this recent relapse particularly unexpected and disorienting for the musician.
Cooper emphasized that admitting to depression does not reflect weak faith or spiritual failure. “I think we can get kind of like we feel like ‘maybe I didn’t have enough faith.’ ‘Maybe I’m not being a good Christian by admitting that.’ ‘Don’t you know Jesus died for you? He fixes all your problems,'” he said, articulating the stigma many Christians face. “I mean, I believe that Jesus died for me and he is the prince of peace, but that doesn’t guarantee you that you’re not going to suffer, and that you might not handle it all that well.” God is capable of handling difficult conversations about suffering. “But God’s tough enough to handle that,” Cooper affirmed.
Cooper’s message challenges churches to become safer spaces for honest conversations about mental health, doubt, and difficult questions. He stressed that there is nothing shameful about suffering and that vulnerability should be met with compassion rather than judgment. By openly discussing his battle with depression through “Scream,” Cooper aims to help others recognize they are not alone in their struggles. Seeking help or admitting to mental health challenges is an act of strength, not weakness. His willingness to address these topics head-on reflects his broader commitment to using his platform and music to foster meaningful dialogue about faith, suffering, and the human experience.
