Portraits

Where to begin with this album except for "REPENT OR PERISH."

For Today have made definite improvements to their follow up to Ekklesia. The boys put in some hard work and poured in a lot of effort on Portraits. The album has them dialed in at 100% at what they do best; play sick breakdowns, shred tasty riffs, and most importantly worshiping Christ. Just in the first few seconds of the intro track, it starts with an eerie fade in and then hits you with this tight syncopated riff, a quick sweep picking section, then Mattie belts out the opening lyrics of the album, and lastly following it up with a breakdown to set the mood for what's to come on this album. Portraits has improved every aspect that Ekklesia had set as a foundation for the band, and only heightened their sense of song writing and musicianship and I couldn't be more happy for the band.

Each song's lyrics on the album was written in the perspective of a figure in the bible, which already gives the album a unique twist, following their walks with God. I haven't heard of any other album doing something like this, and so I appreciate the effort put into this album from a lyrical point of view. Again, these lyrics are heavily Christian and up front with the listener, and I couldn't love it more for it. Sonically, this is first and foremost a metalcore album with all the genre's tropes, but there is a stronger sense of hardcore influence with songs such as, Immanuel (The Redeemer) featuring Joe Musten of Advent and Beloved fame. The song is only three parts; fast verse, breakdown, and fast verse again with gang vocals thrown in to really send home the hardcore influence. Another track that does this is Isaiah (The Willing), about 2/3rds of the way through the song after a tasty breakdown, the track picks back up with more fast hardcore influence and gang vocals. Also, there is a greater sense of technicality of each aspect that makes up the instruments; the riffs are faster and more complex, the drumming sounds tighter and the vocals have been refined to sound more powerful. Overall the production has seen a vast improvement with everything sounding clearer than ever before.

There are two songs on this album that aren't metal, those being the tracks Benedictus (Song of Zechariah) and album closer Talmidim (The Servants). Benedictus is an instrumental, which flows nicely from the previous track and the song progresses nicely as it starts off with a clean guitar for a few measures, and then the band kicks in and goes into a melodic solo to wrap up the song. Talmidim closes out the album with a ballad of sorts to lull the listener into a feeling of peace, and lyrically is giving thanks to God.

To close out this review, I'll summarize this; Portraits has the band firing on all cylinders when needing to, and slowing down and making some of the best melodic music found on the album. The breakdowns hit hard, the riffs sweep you off your feet, blast beats when appropriate, vocals sounding like thunder and lighting, and a lyrical concept that is original and genuine. I have no real complaints other than wishing that the album was longer as this album has me wanting more from the band at this stage in their development.

If you haven't listened to this album, please do yourself a favor and check it out, you won't be disappointed.