Theocracy is a
ChristianA Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
progressiveProgressive metal is a subgenre of heavy metal originating in the United Kingdom and North America in the late 1980s...
power metalPower metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
band founded in 2002 by Matt Smith of
AthensAthens-Clarke County is a consolidated city–county in U.S. state of Georgia, in the northeastern part of the state, comprising the former City of Athens proper and Clarke County. The University of Georgia is located in this college town and is responsible for the initial growth of the city...
,
GeorgiaGeorgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The group originally started out as a one man project and all the instruments and vocals done on the debut album
TheocracyTheocracy is the self-titled debut album by the Christian Progressive Power metal band Theocracy. It was released in 2003 on MetalAges Records...
were performed by Smith. The current lineup includes Smith along with Shawn Benson, Jonathan Hinds, Jared Oldham, and Val Allen Wood. Musically, the band mixes the
power metalPower metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
style of
Edguy-Demos, AFM years :Edguy was founded in 1992 by 14-year-old students Tobias Sammet, Jens Ludwig, Dominik Storch and Dirk Sauer. The name "Edguy" was an affectionate epithet for Mr. Edgar Siedschlag, their math teacher at the time. In 1994, the band released two demos, Evil Minded and Children of...
,
Iced EarthIced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. Originally formed under the name "Purgatory" in 1984, Iced Earth has released a total of ten studio albums, one live album, three EP's, two compilations and boxsets...
, and
HelloweenHelloween is a German power metal band founded in the mid 1980s by members of Iron Fist and Powerfool. The band was a pioneering force in the European Power Metal movement and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys, Pt...
with progressive influences from bands such as
Dream TheaterDream Theater is an American progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung, and Mike Portnoy while they attended Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to further concentrate on the band that would...
,
Symphony XSymphony X is an American progressive metal band from Middletown, New Jersey.Founded in 1994 by guitarist Michael Romeo, their albums The Divine Wings of Tragedy and V: The New Mythology Suite have given the band considerable attention within the progressive metal community...
,
KansasKansas is an American rock band that became popular in the 1970s initially on Album-Oriented Rock charts, and later with hit singles such as "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind"...
and
RushRush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
.
The group performed at the
ProgPowerProgPower is the name of four progressive and power metal festivals:*ProgPower Europe , held in the Netherlands since 1999*ProgPower USA, held in the United States since 2001...
USA VII festival Pre-Party in Atlanta, Georgia. Live performances from the show of the songs "The Serpent's Kiss" and "Mountain" were included on the ProgPower VII DVD. Their second album,
Mirror of SoulsMirror of Souls is the second album by Christian progressive power metal band Theocracy. It was released by Ulterium Records on November 21, 2008 in Europe, November 26 in Japan, and December 9 in North America. It is Theocracy's first album as a full band, as their self-titled debut album was a...
, was released on Sweden's Ulterium Records and features cover artwork by Robert G. Wilson, Jr. A song, "On Eagles Wings", which is on that album, can be heard on the bands official
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page.
Mirror of Souls was released on November 26, 2008 in Japan by Soundholic Records. The Japanese version contains the bonus track "Wages of Sin". The North American edition was released December 9, 2008. A picture disc LP was released through the record labels web store containing "Mirror of Souls", "Laying the Demon to Rest", "Absolution Day" and "The Wages of Sin". This LP was limited to 250 copies worldwide.
The band's latest album,
As the World BleedsAs the World Bleeds is the third studio album by Christian progressive Power metal band Theocracy. It was released by Ulterium Records on November 21, 2011 in North America and will be on November 25, 2011 in Europe.- Track listing :# "I AM"...
, was released on November 21, 2011 in North America and will be on November 25, 2011 in Europe.
Current members
- Matt Smith - Lead Vocals
- Jonathan Hinds - Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Shawn Benson - Drums
- Val Allen Wood - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
- Jared Oldham - Bass, Backing Vocals
Note
Smith performed all lead and choir vocals, rhythm, lead, acoustic, and bass guitars, keys and orchestration on the self-titled album Theocracy
Former members
- Seth Filkins - bass, backing vocals
- Josh Sloan - bass, backing vocals
- Patrick Parris - bass, backing vocals
Discography
- Theocracy
Theocracy is the self-titled debut album by the Christian Progressive Power metal band Theocracy. It was released in 2003 on MetalAges Records...
(MetalAges Records, 2003)
- Mirror of Souls
Mirror of Souls is the second album by Christian progressive power metal band Theocracy. It was released by Ulterium Records on November 21, 2008 in Europe, November 26 in Japan, and December 9 in North America. It is Theocracy's first album as a full band, as their self-titled debut album was a...
(Ulterium (EU), Nightmare Records (US), 2008)
- As the World Bleeds
As the World Bleeds is the third studio album by Christian progressive Power metal band Theocracy. It was released by Ulterium Records on November 21, 2011 in North America and will be on November 25, 2011 in Europe.- Track listing :# "I AM"...
(Ulterium (EU), Nightmare Records (US), 2011)
Christmas
Starting in the year 2005, the band has recorded and released one Christmas-themed song for free download to all members of their "Club of Souls" fan group, located on their official website. ,So far no new song has been released for 2011.
- 2005: Little Drummer Boy
- 2006: Deck the Joy (To the Halls)*
- 2007: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
- 2008: Rudolph vs. Frosty*
- 2009: Angels From the Realms of Glory
- 2010: All I Want For Christmas*
*songs originally written/arranged by 'Theocracy'
In media
Theocracy made an appearance on the cover of the January/December 2007 issue of Heaven's Metal magazine. Matt Smith was also one of a select few musicians to appear in the "Metal Bible".
External links