Released: Aug 31, 2010
Genre: Christian/Metalcore/Hardcore
Label: Facedown Records
Number Of Tracks: 12
The new album from For Today is nothing short of an amazing repeat of last year's Portraits, this album is heavier more creative then the last.
Breaker
Reviewed by:
yamahadrums1, on december 12, 2011 1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: For Today has always been an incredibly talented band, but in my opinion they really hadn't developed their sound until this record. Despite not having a clean vocalist, the band keeps the vocals interesting with many ranges of screams and gang vocals. The guitars and drums on this album are a little simpler than their older stuff, but the simpler instrumentals convey more power and fluidity to their music. // 9
Lyrics and Singing: I normally judge scream/hardcore bands based off of instrumentals rather than the screamer, but For Today is a huge exception. Mattie Montgomery (Frontman) has the most powerful and intimidating presence behind the microphone of any screamer I have heard. His strength compliments the heavy guitar and drums on the new album, giving tremendous force behind every word he says.
Looking at For Today's lyrics and live performance it is obvious that they are christian, referencing God in nearly every line of their songs. While I find many of these lyrics to be powerful, I feel the constant biblical references subtract from the overall lyrical quality of the album. Whether or not you subscribe to Christian belief or not, one can appreciate the fact that For Today has a strong passion for what they believe, and this is coherent in all of their albums and performances.
Another interesting lyrical piece of the album, is the reading of the poem "Breaker" for which the album gets this name. This poem is broken up in four pieces of as story (the introduction, the fall, redemption, the conclusion). While this poem is very well written, it deals with a lot of deep topics such as drug abuse, pornography, and molestation. If you are listening to this leisurely I would suggest skipping the track "The Breaker's Valley" because of its depressing nature, but it still definitely worth hearing at least once. // 8
Impression: Overall this is a very solid album that features many new innovations in For Today's music but also features some songs similar to their old albums. This album you must listen to from beginning to end to truly appreciate. Every song on the album plays a part in telling a story which is concluded at the end of the album. Overall a very solid CD.
1. "The Breaker's Origin": The first reading of "Breaker" works well as an intro to the CD, and flows nicely into the second track.
2. "Devastator": Starts the album off as one of For Today's most popular and powerful songs. The simplicity of the intro allows the drummer to wail on the floor tom and snare, producing an incredibly powerful intro. The next minute or so Mattie screams with mostly syncopated guitar and drums, with a few minor breakdowns. Around 1:45 all of the instruments fade accept for a single guitar riff letting the listener know something heavy is coming, and sure enough at 2:11 the albums first heavy breakdown hits. Although it hits hard it is short lived, and leaves the listener wanting more. The song then answers this around 2:58 where the intro is replayed, this time throwing the song into a massive breakdown featuring a double bass line that mimics a machine gun, this breakdown eventually dissolves into the end of the song.
3. "The Advocate": Not as impressive as "Devastator" but it introduces gang vocals to For Today's music, with the line "Come meet your king!". The song also features a long, powerful breakdown about a minute in. This song reflects the band's older albums with more technicality and chaos then the rest of the album.
4. "The Breakers Valley": Powerful for its lyrical content (second installment of "Breaker"), much deeper than the first, deals with drug overdose, porn, and sexual abuse. A good song, but its majorly depressing.
5. "Seraphim": Brings the album back to its heavy roots with a drum fill leading straight into a breakdown. Like Devastator this song features power snare and tom filled drums and single guitar intros to breakdowns, but this song brings more musical complexity. In one of the more technical breakdowns Mattie uses a scatter scream syncopated to the beat of the breakdown, giving this part of the song additional strength. My personal favorite on the album
6. "Arm The Masses": This song features returns the focus of power over technicality to match the militaristic theme of the song. This is the first song of the album where For Today introduces spoken word into their heavy songs providing two great intro's to breakdowns. Also includes high pitched screaming for the first time, and while I am generally not a fan of this, the higher screams work very well with this song.
7. "White Flag": I don't know if For Today intended for "Arm The Masses" to flow into this song, but the transition is rough. This isn't one of my favorites because this song doesn't distinguish itself from the rest of the album. A few good guitar riffs and breakdowns but the only distinctive feature is the singing gang vocals, which are not that effective.
8. "The Breaker's Encounter": The third installment of "Breaker" less depressing than the first two, basically talks about Jesus and redemption. If you are turned off by Christianity you probably wouldn't like this song, but the lyrics are very powerful.
9. "Phoenix": While lyrically it fits here, the tempo change is very dramatic. The song repeats the line "Now is the time for those who have God to rise" a lot through screaming and (much improved) gang singing. This song is a good wake up near the end of the CD, with varying rhythms and guitar leads, combining a good mix of technicality and heaviness.
10. "Psalm Of The Son": This is a throwback to For Today's older more technical stuff, personally I'm not a fan of this song, but it definitely appeals to For Today's original fan base. The song does feature a nice heavy breakdown about a minute and a half into the song.
11. "King": Like the previous song, this song has more of an older For Today feel to it. There is an interesting drum intro in the beginning, and the rest is very technical. The largest breakdown in this song (2:55) features a lot of offbeats contrasting from the typical straightforward style of most of the breakdowns on this album, but the band does this very effectively.
12. "The Breakers Commission": The album ends with the final portion of "Breaker" which eventually builds into a heavier style of a worship song. While I do not find worship music appealing, it is a very unique way to finish out the album. // 9
Breaker
Reviewed by:
btsrox1, on september 10, 2010 0 of 2 people found this review helpful
Sound: Lets get this out in the open: For Today is one of my favorite bands, ad Mattie has become one of my favorite vocalists. With that in mind, lets get to my review. Soundwise, its not their best. There are A LOT of breakdown, although most are pretty decent. But it definitely gets overwhelming. They also used WAY too many pauses before breakdowns.
For Today uses something new to them: Gang Chants. While its different, they probably only needed to use one, but they over-use it. The one used in "White Flag" is very catchy, but the one in "Phoenix" is just annoying. that's probably my least favorite part of the album. And those are the cons, don't worry, there are pros. The mixing and quality of this album is definitely top notch. And there are a few impressive riffs that definitely remind you of classic for today. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: For those who didn't already know, this album is written around a poem called "The Breaker" written by Jose Palos. The lyrics probably save this album, for me personally. Mattie has such a way with words, its pretty incredible. I'm a pretty spiritual person, and I got chills with the ending choir part. // 10
Impression: Overall, it is a decent album. If you love For Today, you will most likely love this album. But if you are looking into them for the first time, pick up Portraits first. Honestly, I enjoyed the album a lot. There aren't as many memorable parts as there were on Portraits, but its a solid effort. I'd give it an 8.7 out of 10. // 8
Breaker
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on august 25, 2010 0 of 4 people found this review helpful
Sound: The new album from For Today is nothing short of an amazing repeat of last year's Portraits, this album is heavier more creative then the last. For Today has risen up from a small christian metalcore band to one of the heavy hitters among metalcore. This album is littered with breakdowns mesmerizing riffs and heavy hitting lyrics. Even for me an aithist are effected by the christian lyrics. This albums amazing guitar craftsman ship will leave you in awe. All the parts of key metalcore album are there. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: I think that the first album they were saying what they stood for the second shows them spreading the word of god in powerful way and this album is basically what will happen when your a chirsitian or not thats what I got from them. The basic story that I got from them are the "Breaker" in the beginning is a troubled person with alot of problems goes on the path of sin then his rise to being a speaker of gods word. // 9
Impression: It beats all previous from them and beats recent releases from Miss May I, and The Devil Wears Prada the overwhelming scream from Maddie just beats all he even does a new higher scream witch is pretty sick. The heaviest has to either: The Advocate, Kings, Or Sherephim. All have some of the best breakdowns in the album. I love almost everything about this album if I had one complaint is that the rapping needs to be a bit stronger. I would. Absolutely buy this amazing album! // 9
Wow, I'm sorry, I love For Today, but this review has done no justice for them. I am sure you had good intentions behind it, but use some sort of editing.
On a more positive note, I'm definitely stoked about getting this album. I have "Devastator" on my phone, and my phone speaker can't even handle the breakdown, it begins to distort.
Sure, these guys are instrumentally talented, but as this review proves they are really nothing but breakdowns after they get done with the cool leads. I like some of the breakdowns but it just gets a little ridiculous after awhile. I'm sorry, but this review really needs a lot of grammar help to be credible also.
Terrible review. Great band. I wouldn't be surprised if this review pushed people away from the band because you explain them like some generic-core band, which they are not. So, anyone reading this comment just know these guys kick ass, and that is coming from someone who is EXTREMELY picky in his music. Cheers
Wow, I'm sorry, I love For Today, but this review has done no justice for them. I am sure you had good intentions behind it, but use some sort of editing.
millarso wrote:
I'm sorry, but this review really needs a lot of grammar help to be credible also.
withgunstoglory wrote:
Is English the reviewers first language?
Echoplex wrote:
This review does not present a good case for the fans of this particular type of music.
ProgJazzMath wrote:
Terrible review. Great band. I wouldn't be surprised if this review pushed people away from the band because you explain them like some generic-core band, which they are not.
I'm noticing a pattern here.
In all seriousness, I love For Today, this review sucked, but I am stoked for the new album!
Terrible review. Great band. I wouldn't be surprised if this review pushed people away from the band because you explain them like some generic-core band , which they are not.
They are generic-core. Nothing but melodeath leads and breakdowns. This band is becoming very boring very quickly. That being said, I enjoyed their other albums.
"the rapping needs to be a bit stronger?" what the hell does that even mean?!?!
Lmao who said that?!
But I have this album on pre-order, but I've listened to a few tracks online. It all sounds great to me.
Hahaha read the last 2 lines of the review. I just don't understand. I have it on preorder too, man! My friend went to one of their CD release shows and go the album 2 days ago, so I borrowed it. You will not be dissappointed!!
Does anyone else get very uncomfortable when they can actually understand what the singer is saying?
Or is it just me?
They have some interesting tunes, but there nothing AMAZING
"the rapping needs to be a bit stronger?" what the hell does that even mean?!?!
The cd is based around a poem written by Jose Palos called none other then "breaker". So it's not actually meant to be rapping. It is actually someone reciting a poem. Apparently, the reviewer didn't think that this was important enough to mention lol I'll admit though it does kinda sound like the raised tu-pac from the dead and had him do the poem reciting traks lol
I just bought the cd yesterday... I wait till a band has at least 3 cd's or more, before I consider them "one of my fav bands". For today is def one of my fav bands now. This cd is absolutely amazing! I will agree there are some things I feel that they did just to sell records such as the breakdown in every song that sounds like the acacia strain... But seriously, this cd is legit.
Also, I don't really like the guest vocals from the vocalist of stray from the path. His vocal style didn't really match the lyrics or riff that he was screaming along to.
Overall, I'd give this cd an 8 out of 10. I just feel that there are at least 2 songs (aside from the annoying "rapping" tracks) that I actually listened to 5-7 times and just skip now when I listen to the cd. Every other song is classic amazing for today just made a little easier to sell. Hope this helps anyone thinking about buying the cd!
"Also, I don't really like the guest vocals from the vocalist of stray from the path. His vocal style didn't really match the lyrics or riff that he was screaming along to."
I thought the guest vocal was great. It really worked because the theme matched Stray From the Path. Plus its better then having a singer that sounds almost alike just doing some standard highs or Oliver Sykes guest vocals with Blind Witness. Haha
I thought the guest vocal was great. It really worked because the theme matched Stray From the Path. Plus its better then having a singer that sounds almost alike just doing some standard highs or Oliver Sykes guest vocals with Blind Witness. Haha
Ya after I saw them play this live, I agree with you. After I have listened to the cd now like 80 times lol The guest vocals are great!
I'm not liking these reviews. Personally think this is the best album I've heard all year. It was the first album from For Today I'd listened to, but this one made me go and give their other stuff a listen, i think this album is a hell of a lot better than their previous stuff, not just the music, but vocals and especially the quality of the tracks. And generic-core? I'm struggling to find a band that i enjoy as much as these, and as for the breakdowns, i can't get enough of them, they do them well so why the hell not! And moving on to the guest vocals, one of my favorite parts of that track. Guess it's all down to opinion, but imo this band are way under-rated!
I think everyone just shits on For Today way too much and needs to give them the credit they deserve for all their talent and hardwork! I would like to note that For Today has done chants since their first album you bumbling idiot, horrible review. You're obviously not a fan, or an english graduate either. I just want people to lighten up a little bit about religious metal and give it a chance. It's not like you can understand the screams and growls first off until you hit the album book for the lyrics then you relize what you just got yourself into. I'm not christian, or affiliate of any church. I whorship music, guitar, and drums. The new album is sick, go buy it, and get off their case.
I don't buy into the whole 'Christian metalcore' thing. If you're Christian, good for you, it's great you have faith. There's no 'atheist metalcore' or 'agnostic metalcore' or 'Buddhist metalcore', I just don't see why they need to call themselves Christian. Something to prove?
Anyway, with that being said, my mate just lent me Breaker today, and holy shit, I'm impressed. There's a lot of power behind this album, and it flows really well.
I don't buy into the whole 'Christian metalcore' thing. If you're Christian, good for you, it's great you have faith. There's no 'atheist metalcore' or 'agnostic metalcore' or 'Buddhist metalcore', I just don't see why they need to call themselves Christian. Something to prove?
They sing about their faith, hence Christian metalcore. Have you heard of a band that only sings about Buddha? Also, Viking and Pirate metal are the same. They just sing about vikings and pirates, but yet they get their own genre.
I don't buy into the whole 'Christian metalcore' thing. If you're Christian, good for you, it's great you have faith. There's no 'atheist metalcore' or 'agnostic metalcore' or 'Buddhist metalcore', I just don't see why they need to call themselves Christian. Something to prove?
They sing about their faith, hence Christian metalcore. Have you heard of a band that only sings about Buddha? Also, Viking and Pirate metal are the same. They just sing about vikings and pirates, but yet they get their own genre.
It's seeming a lot more like a trend to me. The amount of 'Christian-vegan-straight edge-anarchist' hardcore punk bands there are on my local scene is ridiculous.
