Hailing out of Athens, Georgia Theocracy are one of the most promising new bands in the power/progressive metal scene. Theocracy started life as a one-man project created by Matt Smith, who played and sang everything on the self-titled debut album released at the end of 2003 on MetalAges Records. The album received fantastic reviews and worldwide acclaim within the metal scene. After the album's release, the search for a complete band began. Drummer Shawn Benson and guitarist Jon Hinds joined, and Theocracy started playing shows locally, and working on new material. Bass-players came and went in true Spinal Tap fashion, leaving the band as a threesome in time for the band's sophomore album, 'Mirror of Souls', released on Ulterium Records. The music? Epic, melodic Power Metal with occasional progressive flourishes. Long songs, longer songs, short songs, fast songs, slow songs, mid-tempo songs, ballads...epic choirs, soaring vocals, pounding drums, powerful guitars, and with melodies that get stuck in your head.

THEOCRACY (2003) METALAGES

In the Christian metal scene many people try to compare bands to secular counterparts. Very rarely does this comparisons hit the nail on the head. Theocracy are the exception to the rule. This one man band have been compared to Edguy, Avantasia and Symphony X. Pretty big names to be compared to, but nevertheless true! Matt Smith has created a stunning album, filled with quality music. Delivering pompous arrangements, melodic guitar-work, grandiose choruses and worshipful lyrics. I know some might dislike the use of programmed drums, and I am usually not fond of that either, but on this CD I can hardly hear the difference. I have nothing but good things to say about this CD. And if you are a fan of either the prog-metal of Symphony X, or the Euro-metal of Avantasia, you are bound to love it too. Heck, all people calling themselves lovers of metal are bound to like it. Theocracy is the most exciting new Christian band I've encountered in a long time. I really am looking forward to see Matt develop Theocracy into a full band.

Killer tracks: The Serpent's Kiss, Theocracy, The Healing Hand, Sinner

MIRROR OF SOULS (2008) ULTERIUM

This album took forever to release, now didn't it? I'm sure Matt almost gave up on this several times during the 5 year long ordeal, that finally came to an end in late 2008. Members came and went, concerts were played, record companies contacted, and new material was written and recorded, and recoded over and over again. Well, 'Mirror Of Souls' is definitely worth the wait! Seldom does such a highly anticipated album meet ones expectations as much as this CD does! It is absolutely as good as imagine, and then some. Matt has really stepped up to the task, and delivered one of the best albums of 2008. And that in a genre that most people find washed-up and passé. This is power/prog in the truest sense. But expect no Dream Theater or Symphony X clone band. Theocracy have their own sound, and these guys can battle with the best of them. To give a glimpse of just what these guys are capable of, I'll do a short rundown of the tracks. The opening "A Tower Of Ashes" had me fooled at first. I found the standard Euro-metal tinged song to be pretty bland, and was scared that Matt was satisfied in delivering a mediocre album. I was dead wrong! Because already in "On Eagle's Wings" he steps up to the task. This is a very catchy tune, with loads of melody and a memorable chorus. If they ever release a single from the album, this track is a given. Nothing could have prepared me for the next tune though. "Laying The Demon To Rest" is a monster of a power/prog song! It operates on so many levels, it's not even funny! It's slow, somber and melodic in some parts, while other sections are pure thrash metal! And everything is perfectly tied together. It's simply an astonishing composition, and a personal favorite. The lyrics are also some of the best I've heard from any band in a long time. I'm not one who bothers all that much for lyrics. But this album had me reading the booklet to find out more. Next up is "Bethlehem", a lovely ballad with a medieval sounding acoustic background, working it's way up to a full blown power ballad. The counterpoint choruses towards the end reminds me of Zak-era Savatage. "Bethlehem" gives the album a nice and softening break. Because the melodic speed metal is back in "Absolution Day". This up-tempo song reminds me the most of the debut album from Theocracy. And although this is one of the more run-of-the-mill tracks on the CD, it is still a fantastically catchy song. Church organs are opening "The Writing In The Sand". It soon had me thinking of Avantasia, with it's laid back symphonic stamp. Matt sounds great her (as he does on the entire album), reminding me a little bit of one Michael Sweet. "Martyr" might be the most anonymous song on 'Mirror Of souls' It's amid-tempo metal romp, with a steady rhythm and some nice layered vocals. also love the little "Mexican" interlude in the middle. That leads us to the final song on the CD; the 22 1/2 minute long title track. It's almost impossible to describe with words how great this composition really is. You have to be a musical genius to manage to create a song this long, and not bore the listener for even a second. Matt manages just that! "Mirror Of Souls" takes you on a music journey, and all possible elements of Matt's musical genius are intervened during the course of the song. Again the music is built to climb towards a climax. And it never let's go of your attention. It's downright one of the most fantastic epic power/prog metal compositions ever. So as you can see, the album 'Mirror Of Souls' is awesome. And one can only hope that it doesn't take Theocracy another 5 year to complete the follow up to one of the best album of 2008.

Killer tracks: All of them