Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


For Today, Ekklesia
For Today
Ekklesia



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 10 tracks
Street Date: April 1, 2008


Imagine strolling into a bar for a Saturday night metal show and witnessing the band on stage proclaiming the venue to be God's house for the evening and leading the circle of scene kids in prayer, worship, and even bible study! Such was my special experience when I attended The Brewery in Raleigh, NC on the night they were featuring Facedown Records newcomers For Today. So I find it extremely fitting that the band has titled their debut album Ekklesia (an ancient Greek word for an assembly of Christians) as it represents their meaningful mission on the road. And the ministry was not the only impressive characteristic of the group. Even as front man Mattie Montgomery screamed scripture with stellar dynamic, the strings and rhythm sections flared with the metal expertise which is now translated into a magnificent track list on this studio recording.

The project opens with a nicely done instrumental number that sets off the heavy grooves which dominate its duration, but before long, the vocals come slicing through with the message of "Infantry" declaring "we'll fight back with all we have / making a difference for our God." Mark 12:30 is presented in "Agape" with the unforgettable chant, "love the Lord your God / with all your heart / all your soul / all your mind / all your strength," and "Never Lose Sight Of the Goals" serves to remind us that, "God has his own plans for us / it's not ours, it's His." The gentle instrumental wedged in the album's halfway point could have been a nice thought but its lack of development renders it as a worthless interruption of the steady flow of pit shaking riffage which soon continues to chug on through the second half of the LP and persist for over 40 minutes despite the presence of only 8 real songs.

Although not a groundbreaking release in the metal world, Ekklesia is certainly valid as a debut. For Today is a sincerely spiritual and committed band with tight skills and limitless potential. Anyone interested in a respectable new metal album to move the body and the soul should be pleased with Ekklesia.

- Review date: 10/12/08, written by Tim Harro of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

. Record Label: Facedown Records
. Album length: 10 tracks
. Street Date: April 1, 2008
. Buy It: Amazon.com

  1. Intro
  2. Infantry
  3. Redemption
  4. Agape
  5. Never Lose Sight of The Goals
  6. Instrumental
  7. Words of Hope
  8. Ready For The Fight
  9. A Higher Standard
  10. With A Passion Burning

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images