Representin’ Sioux City, Iowa and the big dude upstairs, For Today is a very well known Christian Metal band. Their new album Portraits hit the shelves today, and now it’s time to give this bitch the Butters Rundown. What does such a rundown consist of? I don’t know, but it sounded sweet at the time…so let’s press play on track one and see what comes to me…
As previously stated, For Today is pretty popular in the Christian community, but don’t let that scare you off if it isn’t your thing — whether you bow to Budha or Mark-Paul Gosselaar, there’s something here for everyone. A great follow up album since their release of Ekklesia (2008), Portraits is everything that I could hope for from a new release. Vocals, guitar, drums, and bass — they’re all a bit more polished this go-round, and all-in-all it’s pretty tight.
As I’m writing this, Drew would like to contribute from the peanut gallery: “That album art is awesome.” Seconded.
Hit the jump to read more.
Track 1: Immanuel (The Challenger): Just your basic “metal intro” full of tasty breakdowns, triplets ‘n’ riffs.
Track 2: Saul of Tarsus ( The Messenger) – This is full of delicious breakdowns. I can see this song getting ridiculous during a show.
Track 3: Nicodemus (The Seeker) – Vocals are prime and ready to metal your face off.
Track 4: Joel (The Watchman) – This one is a pretty slow starting, but awesome riff around :27 seconds in. I feel a ringtone one this one. Holy shit, wow. This song just got gross. From 2:21 till the end of the song. YES! brutal. VERY. (favorite)
Track 5: Immanuel (The Redeemer) -This (so far) is more of a punk-hardcore style. It’s a lot lighter on the ears, not as dark. Wait, yea, it changed to an awesome breakdown around the 1 minute mark.
Track 6: Elijah (The Forerunner) -
Track 7: Benedictus (Song of Zechariah) – I really like the melodic ending to this song. Really, like really really.
Track 8: Ezekiel (The Visionary) – Love the intro, emotions. “I will be afraid, for I am a chosen one of God”.
Track 9: Isaiah (The Willing) -This really has a good follow up to the previous track, really nice transition. But yet it still keeps it’s own pace. This has a trippy guitar “jingle” through a couple of parts. I digg it.
Track 10: Talmidim (The Servants) – This also has a good mix from the previous song. I had a feeling that this final track would be a good outro. Loving the vocals, no screaming. Just good on’ singing. WAIT – This is one thing that I personally don’t like; when you have a nice vocal track then mix a chant over it? No, not my thing. It flows nicely? It projects a good message.
Myspace: For Today
Buy Portraits
Buy Merch
lol, love the stream of consciousness approach you got goin’ on here. *sigh* you’ve convinced me to give it a listen
this album is SO good! Best album of 2009, I predict this band blowing up!!
I can’t believe you don’t like all of the last song, it’s one of the best creations ever!
i’ll admit it’s a good album
lyrics are alot more brief in the whole christian part
but it isn’t as great as the last album Ekklesia,
i was looking for more songs like higher standard
correction haha on ezekiel(the visionary) he says i will not be afraid, get it right haha jk and yes this is an amazing band and album, this band changed my life
This is great metal. I do think they need to tighten up their tempo changes some. It’s like this. More of Saul of Tarsis, Ezekiel has some good changes, and so does Isaiah. But in some changes they drop to much.
I am a big fan of Portraits and I would like to see this band grow and develop the sound they are producing more. It’s awesome!!
Isaiah is what I am listening to right now. It is awesome.
pretty much the worst album ive ever heard…
nothing but sweeps, generic breakdowns, and 12 year old with a cold vocals
i owned this album for about a week
and tried to like it….but ended throwing it out on the highway somewhere around hays kansas.
dont waste your money on it
@dustin what a joke… a 12 year old with a cold? you do better i guess huh?
great album,great band,cant wait for “breaker”