Review Summary: They repeat the same tricks over and over, but pull it off so well you won't even care.
Breakdowns. Hate them or love them, they have become a part of metal today. "Portaits", the sophmore album from Christain Tech-Metal band For Today, is littered with these. Before you scoff though, hear them out.
This hard-hitting CD opens amazingly; a creepy melody plays in the backround as the drums, guitar, and bass build up. Four notes are struck, all with a mini-solo in between, then all is silent as the vocalist roars "REPENT OR PERISH", followed by, yes, a breakdown. However, the breakdown is a very complicated one, a rythym that would cause simpler bands like Attack Attack! to simply explode if they tried anything that complex.
You will find many moments like this among the 10 track CD. The breakdowns are ALL very technical and complicated, often switching time signatures. Bass drops are strategically placed to give you goosebumps and get you ready to beat the living crap outta everybody. The guitar players can certainly play; they fire off guitar solos and riffs at so many beats per minute that your ears just might bleed. The only complaint is that at times, the mixing with the guitars is off. When Solos are layered over the higher vocals, they often drown out the frontman. But give them credit, because they have a beautiful way of giving you the chills; layering eerie melodies over the pounding of double bass and open chord chugging. (For a spectacular example, check out "Isaiah" at about 1:55)
Speaking of double bass, the drummer sure does know his way around the kit. His fills are spot on, and he manages to handle the ever shifting time signatures extraordinarily well. However, it can get a tad generic; he often repeats the same structure, making some parts a tad predictable.
As far as lyrics go, they are just above average for a Christain band. They have more up their sleeves than the typical "jesus died for us", instead speaking of being watchmen, the day of judgement, and defending cities of God. They certainly get their point across, especially in the epic "Saul Of Tarus", where during a particularly bone-crushing breakdown, the line "I am not ashamed!" is repeated over and over.
All in all, the album is great. They repeat the same structure often, but it will hit you so hard each time that you'll be happy to hear it.
