25 Records of Christmas, Day 8: For Today

This year I started buying vinyl. I’ve never really thought of myself as an audiophile, but since I started buying it, I’ve found the need to have higher quality. The first metal album I bought on vinyl this year was the record I’m writing about today. For Today is known for their heavy drops and driving melodies, and even my roommate at the time couldn’t imagine such a heavy album sounding good on vinyl. But as I put the white record on and dropped the needle, I knew we were in for a treat. 

For Today has always been known for their biblical and spiritually poignant lyrics, and their newest release Immortal is no different. In fact, it may be even more spiritual than previous albums! The album demonstrates the eternal glory we have in Christ, and also discusses how we are to live our lives, for the his glory. As I mentioned during a previous review, this album is one of the few Christian albums on my list this year. It takes a lot for me to enjoy a Christian band these days, since it can seem so cheesy and fake many times. But For Today is far from being fake, and that’s probably what draws me (and others) to them.

For Today hails from Sioux City, IA. Immortal is their third album.

“Foundation” provides a background for the band to talk about the foundations they have in God, and the sub drop is so heavy when Mattie Montgomery screams “I will stand on my firm foundation / and I will not be moved”. The lead single “Fearless” is a brutal look at how we have nothing to fear when it comes to the trials of the world, and talks of the end of the world, and the victory that is to come. I also didn’t expect this, but my favorite track, “The Only Name”, features Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D. Between Mattie’s screams and Sonny’s clean vocals on the chorus, it makes for a stellar track and an instant hit for the band’s following.

The songs on Immortal are heavier and more brutal than their previous material, and the slow points throughout the album are fewer than ever. Only two interludes throughout the entire album, and they are filled with great samples, bringing the message home. This album also features more collaborations than the previous albums as well. “Set Apart” features Jake Luhrs of August Burns Red, and that track is quite possibly the heaviest song For Today has ever recorded, and rightfully so, since it has remnants of ABR’s speed, but the melodies of For Today. 

If you’re a fan of metal, you definitely shouldn’t miss this album this year. Even if you’re not into the lyrical content, you should be able to appreciate the musicianship of the players in this band, and enjoy the hard-hitting album they’ve created.