FOR TODAY
Immortal
[Razor & Tie]
Verdict: 7.5/10
RIYL: HASTE THE DAY, A PLEA FOR PURGING & MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE
Iowa, as a whole isn’t really known for too many things other than corn, Field Of Dreams and the Nine Headed Beast SLIPKNOT. Lesser known bands have come and gone but still standing strong and holding their heads high are FOR TODAY. 2012 marks their 7th year as a band, and Immortal is their 4th full length, and as seems to be the normal this year, their strongest material to date. Getting a firmer grasp on their music Immortal is a heavy, breakdown fueled release. It’s musical urgency is only topped by Mattie Montgomery’s vocals. He really shines on this record as he takes his lyrics to a whole new level as he preaches a oneness and overwhelming love for God. His vocal presentation is every bit as strong as the groove heavy music. ‘Fearless’ stomps and swings as it drives home and sets the stage for the following 10 tracks. Never veering far from what makes them a good band, what Immortal does is show that FOR TODAY aren’t just riding on the coat tails of other bands in their genre, they are owning what they do and do it well. While, admittedly, the ‘message’ in the songs becomes almost too much, it’s never annoying and remains enjoyable. The musicianship and the range of vocals keep it interesting. Mattie, at times, sounds like Adam Jackson of the now defunct TWELVE TRIBES, as heard on ‘My Confession’. Anyone that has ever seen FOR TODAY live, knows they deliver and once Mattie gets himself fired up after one of his impromptu speeches, they really tear up a stage. With Immortal under their belts, FOR TODAY are easily leading the charge for Christian Metalcore. -by Jon Hole
Recommended listening: ‘Fearless’, ‘Immortal’, ‘The Call’ & ‘Stand Defiant’
Guest musicians: Jake Luhrs of August Burns Red on ‘Set Apart’; Sonny Sandoval of P.O.D. on ‘The Only Name’ & Tommy Green of Sleeping Giant on ‘Under God’
Release date: May 29, 2012
In conclusion…FOR TODAY are setting their sights on being in league with this genres heavyweights, like AUGUST BURNS RED and HASTE THE DAY (RIP). Immortal is a heavy but mature release for a band that comes from the middle of nowhere and is known by millions.
SECOND OPINION REVIEW
Verdict: 7.5/10
One of the elements I continuously harp on during my reviews is execution. Immortal is a glaring example of why. Within these 38 minutes of music, there is nary a completely unique riff or breakdown; basically, every one of the ideas on the album was originated by the likes of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE or AUGUST BURNS RED. The difference is that throughout its runtime, Immortal is excessively passionate and is executed with absolute aplomb. FOR TODAY utilizes a solid balance between brutality and technicality to create a highly enjoyable listening experience. Many will cry foul, saying that this lack of innovation is simply carrying on the stagnation of a dying genre, but they are missing the point: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Immortal is a genuine example of what is right about modern metalcore. Sure the abundance of breakdowns gets a bit grating, but the passion and (most importantly) fun had throughout the album is laudable. Sometimes a band’s goal isn’t to move a genre ahead or forge new sonic territory; it just wishes to create a captivating, uplifting listen. For that purpose, we are left with a solid FOR TODAY. – by Nicholas Senior
THIRD OPINION REVIEW
Verdict: 8.5/10
The latest For Today album, Immortal, offers a lot for hardcore fans. Though some of it disappointing (due to the coverage of elements that are becoming tiresome now), the majority of it does kick ass. The opening track, “Fearless”, is an absolute blast, making it the perfect song to run out the gates. As the record plays through, there are plenty of memorable moments brought on by solid breakdowns, gang vocal work, and classic hardcore vibes. However, some people may get tired of the overused Christian lyrics. Yes, we understand that is why they started the band, and that’s cool, but it gets annoying at times. It wouldn’t be so bad if the lyrics were original, but a lot of them feel like statements and lines we’ve heard a million times before. Also, the band throws two interludes side by side for some reason. They kind of throw off the power of the album. These minor complaints aside, Immortal is actually the band’s most fun record yet. Things seem a bit stripped down in a sense, but “large” as well (meaning nothing is really unique here, but it still hits hard). It’s a little difficult to describe, so listen to it for yourself. Either way, this is a worthy hardcore release. — by Nathaniel Lay
