For Today
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Ryan Leitru, Mike Reynolds, David Morrison, Jon Lauters |
| Defunct | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Sioux City , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
For Today was a Christian metalcore group originating from Sioux City, Iowa, established in 2005. Their discography includes two EPs, Your Moment, Your Life, Your Time and Prevailer, along with six studio albums: Ekklesia (2008), Portraits (2009), Breaker (2010), Immortal (2012), Fight the Silence (2014), and Wake (2015).
The band ceased activity in 2016.
History
The formation of For Today took place in 2005, initiated by Ryan Leitru, Mike Reynolds, David Morrison, and Jon Lauters. Early departures of Lauters and original vocalist Matt Tyler (later known as Madison Skylights) led to the recruitment of Mattie Montgomery (previously with Besieged) and Brennan Schaeuble, who was subsequently replaced by Brandon Leitru, Ryan's brother. Their first full-length album, Ekklesia, produced under Facedown Records, was released on April 1, 2008. The follow-up record, Portraits, came out on June 9, 2009 via the same label and reached number 15 on the Billboard Christian albums chart. This album incorporated themes centered around Biblical personalities such as Ezekiel, Joel, Elijah, Isaiah, Nicodemus, Zacharias, Saul (Paul), and Jesus. Its concluding track "Talmidim" draws from Ezekiel 36:26-28 and delves into the concept of Christian discipleship.
After signing with Razor & Tie, recording sessions for their next project took place between January and February 2012 at The Machine Shop in New Jersey with producer Will Putney, who had also worked on their prior release Breaker. The lead single "Fearless" was unveiled on March 6, 2012. That March, they headlined the Fight the Silence Tour alongside bands including A Skylit Drive, Stick to Your Guns, and MyChildren MyBride. Their album Immortal was officially released on May 29, 2012. Additionally, they participated in Warped Tour 2012.
Drummer David Morrison departed on June 15, 2012 to engage in missionary work in South America; he was succeeded by David Puckett from The Crimson Armada. Early in 2013, rhythm guitarist Mike Reynolds left to pursue Bible college studies and missions in the Middle East. His departure followed controversy regarding his remarks on homosexuality. Sam Penner, formerly of In the Midst of Lions, took over Reynolds' role. Vocalist Mattie Montgomery addressed the controversy by actively communicating with fans via social media platforms.
On April 2, 2013, For Today released an EP titled Prevailer, which included four new tracks, an acoustic rendition, and a DVD featuring live performances along with a documentary about the band. Later that year on October 24, they premiered the music video for "Fight the Silence" and announced plans for a new album set for release in 2014. Prior to this period, from January to February 2011, they toured with We Came as Romans, Texas in July, Woe, Is Me, and The Word Alive as part of the Motel 6 Rock Yourself to Sleep Tour.
Samuel Penner parted ways with For Today on April 15, 2015. Midway through that year saw Jim Hughes of metal outfit Colossus join as bassist while Brandon Leitru transitioned to guitar duties. On July 30, 2015, For Today inked a deal with Nuclear Blast, announcing their forthcoming album would be distributed through this label. Pre-orders for Wake began on August 21, with the album officially launching on October 2 accompanied by a music video for "Broken Lens".
On July 5, 2016, For Today revealed plans for a farewell tour followed by disbandment. Prior to dissolving the group, Ryan and Brandon Leitru formed a new band named Nothing Left, collaborating with members from Silent Planet and A Bullet for Pretty Boy. Their final performance took place on December 18, 2016 alongside Silent Planet, Oh, Sleeper, Norma Jean, and Fit for a King.
On October 22, 2018, Montgomery announced that For Today would participate in a tribute concert held on October 28 organized by We Came as Romans honoring Kyle Pavone; this event did not constitute a band reunion.
Name
Montgomery explained that the band selected their name at a time when only one member identified as Christian, but it "sounded appealing" and has since taken on a biblical significance.
Band members
Final line-up
- Ryan Leitru – lead guitar, clean vocals (2005–2016)
- Brandon Leitru – bass (2005–2015); rhythm guitar (2015–2016)
- Mattie Montgomery – lead vocals (2007–2016)
- David Puckett – drums (2012–2016)
- Jim Hughes – bass, backing vocals (2015–2016)
Live
- Ryan Kirby – vocals (2014, frontman of Fit for a King)
- Julio Garcia – drums (2013)
Former
- Jon Lauters – bass (2005)
- Brennan Schaeuble – bass (2005)
- Matt Tyler – lead vocals (2007)
- David Morrison – drums, vocals (2005–2012)
- Mike Reynolds – rhythm guitar (2005–2013)
- Sam Penner – rhythm guitar (2013–2015)
Timeline
Studio albums
| Title | Album information | Highest chart positions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 |
US Heatseekers |
US Independent |
US Rock |
US Hard Rock |
US Christian | |||||||||
| Ekklesia |
|
— | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| Portraits |
|
— | 14 | 40 | — | — | 15 | |||||||
| Breaker |
|
54 | — | 8 | 20 | 8 | 3 | |||||||
| Immortal |
|
15 | — | 3 | 7 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Fight the Silence |
|
32 | — | 4 | 7 | 2 | 2 | |||||||
| Wake |
|
67 | — | 17 | 9 | 10 | 3 | |||||||
| "—" indicates the release did not chart or was unavailable in that region. | ||||||||||||||
EPs
| Title | Album information | Highest chart positions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 |
US Independent |
US Rock |
US Hard Rock |
US Christian | ||||||||||
| Your Moment, Your Life, Your Time |
|
— | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Prevailer |
|
47 | 12 | 14 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| "—" signifies that the record did not appear on charts or was not released in that market. | ||||||||||||||
Music videos
| Title | 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" |