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Review Summary: Although heavily influenced by Religion, their lyrics have deep meanings, and the musicianship excels to the point of excellence. This Christian Metalcore band improved greatly with this new release, "Portraits". Portraits is heavy. Period. The breakdowns are numerous, and the vocals are what many metal-heads deem: "Brutal". The vocals headlined by Mattie Montgomery have improved greatly since "Ekklesia". Now if you have heard Ekklesia, you may be turned off from them. Their debut album burst onto the scene, April 1st, 2008, and it received good and bad reviews, and many people hailed the technical musicianship, and resented the vocals. But with this new release, "Portraits" the vocals have improved greatly. Mattie has a great sound, ranging from death growls, to shrill cries and shrieks. Listen to "Joel (The Watchman)" and you wont be disappointed.
Now many of you have probably noticed by now, unless you don't care about lyrics, the heavy influence of Christianity on this album. Myself, not being Christian, do not find the lyrics as appealing, but when the breakdowns start, I find myself uttering "America, You Will Be Judged!" (Joel (The Watchman)). Basically this means that even though religion might be different with fans (or lacking) you will still enjoy this album if you are a metalcore fan.
The strongest point of For Today, is not only the vocals, but the instruments. The sweeping notes of the guitar and the dark pounding of the drums are amazing, and the bass backs up excellently the guitar, providing ground and foundation for the songs. This album deserves not only the metalcore genre, but also "technical". The guitars truly are extraordinary and the drums are basically stellar. Bands like Protest The Hero would be a perfect touring band with For Today because they both use element of "Mathcore" in their music.
You also have probably noticed how each song has a name and then in brackets, what the name symbolizes, and it ties intro the bible, for example one of the titles is: Ezekiel (The Visionary), which song title is about Ezekiel who is regarded as a prophet by Christianity.
Anyways before I go too much into religion I will summarize by saying For Today, is highly technical, and quite brutal. You will enjoy Portraits if you are a metalcore fan for sure. The breakdowns are numerous, the mistakes are few. And For Today will be around for a long time if they keep up releases like this.
| other reviews of this album |
Jaskolkaaa (3.5)
They repeat the same tricks over and over, but pull it off so well you won't even care....
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I freakin love this album
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you REALLY gotta love metalcore/this band to give the album a higher rating than a 3. this album is better than the first but still average in the same way.
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Welll I wouldn't say that. They most definitely improved in every aspect, including songwriting, which is rare for a metalcore band.
I rated this album so highly because I HATED the first record except for parts of "Agape" and this one really, really surprised me.
Plus, as a christian, I love the lyrics, which always adds so much to an album
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The review could definitely use some word, and the band is metalcore-metalcore-metalcore. Keep it up though.
And then come back to this album one year from now and see if it still sounds as good you think it does now.
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sounds like this sucks
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yeah, i too am a a sucker for christian lyrics, as long as they are not too preachy. but i also agree that your opinion of this album will change if you listen to this album again in 6 months or listen around for some different metalcore.
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Yeahhh that's actually true. Im one of those guys that will automatically label something a 5 if it sounds pretty good on the first listen hahaha, so you're right man. I do however think that these guys are at least above average metalcore
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definitely i feel you, they are way better than some of the crud out there that passes as metalcore.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
I don't find this anything but average.
| | | Album Rating: 2.5
^don't. If you want good metalcore like this just give Oh Sleeper's new material a listen.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
OMFG
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Their first record bored me. I most likely won't be checking this out.
| | | Album Rating: 1.0
I hear this is better than their first. I also hear that it has more breakdowns than the last, possible?
I'm checking it out now, well the vocals are better. Recording quality is much better. Meh. Who am I kidding? Who cares...
| | | Album Rating: 1.0
Alright....I take back anything i ever said about this album. Horrible. Worst thing I've heard in a while. This is the reason people hate on metalcore and breakdowns...this is the definition.
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That bad, eh?
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
honestly, the album is very enjoyable for me.
the vocals have improved incredibly, the melodies and tabbs are catchy and the breakdowns are tight as fuck. anyway, i'm a sucker on breakdowns :D
definately in the top 15 releases of 2009, besides ABR, thrice, anchor & braille, emery, in:aviate, mae, dgd, architects and a few more 
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props for the posi lyrics, a good if not biased review. a big fan of all things heavy myself, i will admit the album is fairly generic. possible potential in Immanuel (The Redeemer). interested in seeing how they follow this up. i give it a 2.5 for now, as a critic.
| | | Album Rating: 2.0
Decent band ruined by REALLY gay lyrics and far too many breakdowns. this stuff is very sameish.......
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awesome album great musician would be an idiot to say this album is not in the top 10 this year, if you don't like breakdowns don't listen to metalcore, find another genre its that easy
| | | Album Rating: 4.0
the vocals are great! cant helt myself singing along on: "America you will be judged!", "Repend or perish" and "an army approaches!!".. For me this is one of the most interesing releases this year, even though im not a religious!
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