For Today

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For Today
For Today from left to right: Mike Reynolds, David Morrison, Mattie Montgomery, Brandon Leitru, Ryan Leitru
For Today from left to right: Mike Reynolds, David Morrison, Mattie Montgomery, Brandon Leitru, Ryan Leitru
Background information
OriginSioux City, Iowa, U.S.
GenresMetalcore
Christian metal[1][2][3][4][5]
Years active2005–2016
LabelsFacedown, Razor & Tie, Nuclear Blast
Past membersRyan Leitru
Mattie Montgomery
Brandon Leitru
David Puckett
Jim Hughes
Matt Tyler
Jon Lauters
Brennan Schaeuble
David Morrison
Mike Reynolds
Sam Penner

For Today was an American Christian metalcore[4][2][3] band from Sioux City, Iowa, formed in 2005. They released two EPs, Your Moment, Your Life, Your Time and Prevailer, and six full-length albums: Ekklesia in, 2008, Portraits in 2009, Breaker in 2010, Immortal in 2012, Fight the Silence in 2014, and Wake in 2015.

The band split up in 2016.[7]

History[edit]

For Today was founded in 2005 by Ryan Leitru, Mike Reynolds, David Morrison, and Jon Lauters. Lauters and vocalist Matt Tyler, who joined the band shortly after its formation, (who later became known as Madison Skylights) left the band soon after, and were replaced by Mattie Montgomery (formerly of Besieged) and Brennan Schaeuble. Schaeuble was replaced by Ryan's brother Brandon. On April 1, 2008, they released their first studio album, produced by Facedown Records, Ekklesia[8] (a Biblical term from the Koine Greek that typically denotes the collective people of God; it is usually translated as 'the Body of Christ' or 'the Church').[9][10] Their second album, Portraits, was released on June 9, 2009,[11] on the same label, and peaked at No. 15 of the Billboard Christian albums chart. Different Biblical personalities are portrayed on the album: the Prophets Ezekiel, Joel, Elijah and Isaiah, and Nicodemus the Pharisee, Zacharias, Saul (Paul) of Tarsus and Immanuel (Jesus). The final track on the album, 'Talmidim' (which denotes the disciples of a rabbi, here referring to all disciples of Jesus -Christians) quotes Ezekiel 36:26-28 and describes what it means to be a Christian.

Upon signing with Razor & Tie, the band was in the recording studio on January 6, 2012 until February 8, 2012 at The Machine Shop in New Jersey. They also announced that Will Putney, who had produced their previous release Breaker, would produce this album. The album's first single, "Fearless", was released on March 6, 2012. They headlined the Fight the Silence Tour based on their new album in March 2012 and toured alongside A Skylit Drive, Stick to Your Guns, MyChildren MyBride, and Make Me Famous.[12] The new album, Immortal, was released on May 29, 2012.[13] They played at Warped Tour 2012.[14]

On June 15, 2012, it was announced that drummer David Morrison had stepped down from For Today to do missionary work in South America with Extreme Nazarene Ministries. David Puckett (formerly of The Crimson Armada) was announced as the new drummer.[15] Rhythm guitarist Mike Reynolds also left the band in early 2013, in order for him and his wife to enroll in Bible college and work toward full-time missions work in the Middle East.[16] This announcement came after controversial comments that Reynolds made on Twitter in which he said "There was no such thing as a homosexual Christian."[16] The backlash sparked by his comments prompted action by Mattie Montgomery, who posted a response on YouTube where he gave his phone number and offered his heart and time to anyone who wanted to talk about what had been said, pray, vent about religion, or just seek advice.[16] Reynolds was replaced by former In the Midst of Lions guitarist Sam Penner.[17]

On April 2, 2013, the band released a new EP, Prevailer, with four new songs, one acoustic track, and a DVD, of live band footage and a documentary of the band's history.[18]

On October 24, 2013, the band released a new video, "Fight the Silence", on their official YouTube channel. According to the description of the video, the band will be releasing a new album in 2014.[19][20][better source needed] They joined We Came as Romans, Texas in July, Woe, Is Me, and The Word Alive on the Motel 6 Rock Yourself to Sleep Tour from January to February 2011.[21]

On April 15, 2015, Samuel Penner announced he parted ways with the band for various reasons.[22] In the mid-2015, Jim Hughes, guitarist of metal band Colossus and long time friend of the band joined as bassist,[23][24] with Brandon taking over guitars for Penner. On July 30, 2015, the band announced that they had signed with Nuclear Blast, and their new album would be released through the label.[24] On August 21, 2015, the band initiated pre-orders for their new album, Wake, which was released on October 2, 2015, and a new music video titled "Broken Lens".[25]

On July 5, 2016, the band announced via Facebook they will embark on a farewell tour and will disband after the tour ends.[26][27] Before disbanding, two members of the band, Ryan (lead guitar) and Brandon Leitru (bass guitarist), formed a new band called Nothing Left, with members of Silent Planet and A Bullet for Pretty Boy.[6] The band played their last show on December 18, 2016 with Silent Planet, Oh, Sleeper, Norma Jean and Fit for a King.[28]

On October 22, 2018, Montgomery announced that the band would be playing on October 28, for a tribute show that We Came as Romans organized for Kyle Pavone, making it clear that this would not be a reunion.[29]

Name[edit]

Montgomery stated the band selected the name while only one member was a Christian but that it "sounded cool" but have since transformed the meaning to be scriptural.[30]

Members[edit]

Timeline

Discography[edit]

For Today discography
Studio albums6
Music videos12
EPs2

Studio albums[edit]

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[31]
US
Heat.

[32]
US
Indie.

[33]
US
Rock
[34]
US
Hard Rock
[35]
US
Christ.

[36]
Ekklesia
  • Released: April 1, 2008
  • Label: Facedown
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Portraits
  • Released: June 9, 2009
  • Label: Facedown
  • Formats: CD, digital download
14 40 15
Breaker
  • Released: August 31, 2010
  • Label: Facedown
  • Formats: CD, digital download
54 8 20 8 3
Immortal
  • Released: May 29, 2012
  • Label: Razor & Tie
  • Formats: CD, digital download
15 3 7 1 1
Fight the Silence
  • Released: February 4, 2014
  • Label: Razor & Tie
  • Formats: CD, digital download
32 4 7 2 2
Wake
  • Released: October 2, 2015
  • Label: Nuclear Blast
  • Formats: CD, digital download
67 17 9 10 3
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

EPs[edit]

List of EPs, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[31]
US
Indie.

[33]
US
Rock
[34]
US
Hard Rock
[35]
US
Christ.

[36]
Your Moment, Your Life, Your Time
  • Released: 2006
  • Label: independent
  • Formats: CD
Prevailer
  • Released: April 2, 2013
  • Label: Razor & Tie
  • Formats: CD, digital download
47 12 14 2 2
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos[edit]

Title From the album
"Agape" Ekklesia
"Saul of Tarsus (The Messenger)" Portraits
"Devastator" Breaker
"Seraphim"
"Fearless" Immortal
"Foundation"
"Flesh and Blood" Prevailer
"Fight the Silence" Fight the Silence
"Break the Cycle"
"Molotov"
"Broken Lens" Wake
"Bitter Roots"
"No Truth, No Sacrifice"

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jones, Kim. "Top 8 Christian Metal Bands". About.com. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  2. ^ a b "For Today Discography, For Today Artist Database, For Today Lyrics". Jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  3. ^ a b For Today at AllMusic
  4. ^ a b "For Today: Sioux City's metalcore masters set to visit the UK in November — For Today". Crossrhythms.co.uk. August 6, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  5. ^ Pernell Fowler. "For Today – Immortal – Review | So, Bring on Mixed Reviews". Bringonmixedreviews.com. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Dickman, Maggie (October 26, 2016). "For Today members form heavy new band, debut new song — listen". Alternative Press. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  7. ^ "For Today – After over 11 years as a band, 6 full length... - Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  8. ^ "Ekklesia Review – For Today – Compact Discs – Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com". Ultimate Guitar Archive. July 4, 2008. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  9. ^ "Strong's Greek: 1577. ἐκκλησία (ekklésia) -- an assembly, a (religious) congregation". Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  10. ^ "BibleGateway.com – Topical Index: ekklesia". Retrieved January 2, 2017.
  11. ^ "Portraits Review – For Today – Compact Discs – Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com". Ultimate Guitar Archive. October 7, 2009. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
  12. ^ Pelt, Doug Van (2011). "For Today announce headlining tour". HM Magazine. Archived from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  13. ^ Ken (April 18, 2012). "FOR TODAY'S NEW STUDIO ALBUM "IMMORTAL" RELEASE DATE NOW SET FOR MAY 29TH". Highwire Daze. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  14. ^ "Bands / 2013 Vans Warped Tour / Tickets on Sale Now / For Today". Vanswarpedtour.com. Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
  15. ^ "For Today Drummer Quits Band To Become A Missionary". Blabbermouth. June 16, 2012. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c "For Today Guitarist Mike Reynolds Leaves Band After Firestorm Over Anti-Gay Comments". Loudwire. January 12, 2013.
  17. ^ "For Today guitarist Mike Reynolds leaves band". Lambgoat. January 11, 2013. Retrieved January 21, 2017.
  18. ^ "Amazon listing". Amazon. Retrieved September 14, 2013.
  19. ^ For Today – Fight The Silence *NEW SONG*. YouTube. October 23, 2013. Retrieved April 29, 2015.[dead YouTube link]
  20. ^ "For Today Streaming New Single "Fight The Silence"". Theprp.com. October 24, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  21. ^ "Motel 6 Rock Yourself to Sleep Tour".
  22. ^ Sharp, Tyler (April 15, 2015). "For Today kick out guitarist Samuel Penner". Alternative Press. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
  23. ^ "Jim Hughes Joins For Today". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  24. ^ a b Vallecillo, Alix (July 30, 2015). "For Today signs New Record deal with Nuclear Blast". Metal Insider. Retrieved August 6, 2015.
  25. ^ For Today. "For Today". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2015.
  26. ^ For Today (July 5, 2016). "For Today (Photos)". Facebook. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  27. ^ Childers, Chad (July 5, 2016). "For Today Reveals Plans To Split, Announce 2016 Farewell Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  28. ^ "Farewell Tour". Loudwire. July 5, 2016.
  29. ^ Montgomery, Mattie (October 22, 2018). "This weekend we will be in Detroit". Facebook. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  30. ^ "Mattie Montgomery interview on Indie Vision Music". Indie Vision Music. July 24, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  31. ^ a b "For Today – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  32. ^ "For Today – Chart History: Heatseekers Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  33. ^ a b "For Today – Chart History: Independent Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  34. ^ a b "For Today – Chart History: Top Rock Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  35. ^ a b "For Today – Chart History: Hard Rock Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  36. ^ a b "For Today – Chart History: Christian Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 8, 2013.

External links[edit]