Yes, all five songs on this 2013 EP sound just as tough (if not more so) than the roughneck depiction of Jesus painted on the cover. With Prevailer, the Sioux City, Iowa, quintet For Today reminds us that it's the heaviest Christian metalcore band to date. “From Zion” opens with bludgeoning drums that fire like artillery cannons. Alongside this rhythmic recoil, heavily distorted guitar riffs chug away courtesy of rhythm guitarist Sam Penner, who makes his debut here. Frontman Mattie Montgomery’s hoarsely screamed lyrics tell the tale of an angry and darker Christ, who returns to lead Israel in a war against Palestinians. “Crown of Thorns” sounds similarly discordant and irate; drummer David Morrison makes thundering blast beats while Montgomery howls poetic verses of self-martyrdom: “It should have been me/With the nails through my hands and feet/Facing the wrath of God.” The standout song “Flesh and Blood” is noticeably more melodic, and the guitar work between Penner and Ryan Leitru is exceptionally dynamic—as are Leitru’s clean backing vocals. The band closes the EP with the acoustic ballad “Fearless.”