Theocracy
Theocracy is a Progressive Power Metal band founded in 2002 by Matt Smith of Athens, Georgia. Matt Smith stated, on Rock Overdose, that the word "Theocracy" means a government ruled by God. But we use it differently-nothing to do with governments and politics, but a life ruled by God. Without question,Theocracy has earned a spot as a Molten Metal Band. They have delivered some of the finest Metal Slabs in the whole industry of Christian Metal Music. Theocracy has an Epic style of Power Metal that is over the top. There are occasional moments of Thrash and Speed Metal that adds touches of drama to the song. You will find plenty of solos that are not overly done but are just the right dose of Metal madness.
On Theocracy's first 2003 self-titled album, Matt Smith was a one man band handling all the writing, recording, and production. The original album incorporated a drum machine so Matt decided to remaster it with a real drummer but leaving the vocal work untouched which I think was a good call on Matt's part. This album stays more true to a straight up power metal album without the over the top epic touches. The first song "Ichthus," reminds me a little, of the German band Lightmare.
Theocracy simply keeps getting better and better with each release. On their sophomore 2008 'Mirror of Souls' we find the band coming into their own and showing that they are a true Power Metal power house. On this 2008 album, the band began playing more of an Epic Power Metal sound Which incorporates some Symphonic touches. This album was my first purchase of the band and is a bit more special to me in that aspect but all albums are simply incredible.
Then in 2011 Theocracy released 'As the World Bleeds' which followed more in the lines of 'Mirror of Souls' with its Symphonic touches that help give it that Epic sound. Some songs that stand out on the album are "I AM' , "Nailed" , "Light of the World" , and "As the World Bleeds".
I really appreciate that the lyrics are openly christian, one only has to listen to the song "I Am" on the "As the World Bleads", album, to know that Theocracy is not ashamed of the gospel.
Theocracy simply keeps getting better and better with each release. On their sophomore 2008 'Mirror of Souls' we find the band coming into their own and showing that they are a true Power Metal power house. On this 2008 album, the band began playing more of an Epic Power Metal sound Which incorporates some Symphonic touches. This album was my first purchase of the band and is a bit more special to me in that aspect but all albums are simply incredible.
Then in 2011 Theocracy released 'As the World Bleeds' which followed more in the lines of 'Mirror of Souls' with its Symphonic touches that help give it that Epic sound. Some songs that stand out on the album are "I AM' , "Nailed" , "Light of the World" , and "As the World Bleeds".
I really appreciate that the lyrics are openly christian, one only has to listen to the song "I Am" on the "As the World Bleads", album, to know that Theocracy is not ashamed of the gospel.
I am humility, the One who laid it all aside
traded a crown of kings for a crown of thorns,
betrayed by human pride
I am humanity, took on your curse and all your pain
I am divinity, eternity, forever I remain
I am your guilty scars, as Roman soldiers tear my back
I am the crimson stain that washes all the souls faded to black
I am the one who bled in silence and endured it all
I am the Word who spoke no word, with a thousand angels waiting for my call
I am your covenant - your hero in these bloodstained pages
I am your guilt, your sin, your debt fulfilled for all the ages
I step into your shoes, your substitute
Your sacrifice
Your raison d'etre
Your second chance
Your breath of life
I AM
traded a crown of kings for a crown of thorns,
betrayed by human pride
I am humanity, took on your curse and all your pain
I am divinity, eternity, forever I remain
I am your guilty scars, as Roman soldiers tear my back
I am the crimson stain that washes all the souls faded to black
I am the one who bled in silence and endured it all
I am the Word who spoke no word, with a thousand angels waiting for my call
I am your covenant - your hero in these bloodstained pages
I am your guilt, your sin, your debt fulfilled for all the ages
I step into your shoes, your substitute
Your sacrifice
Your raison d'etre
Your second chance
Your breath of life
I AM
Then there's the song "Nailed" that is about the reasons why Martin Luther nailed the 95 Theses to the doors of the Catholic Church in Wittenberg. Luther's Ninety-Five Theses focused on doctrine and religious practices in the Catholic Church. Luther spoke out against the views held about baptism and absolution that these wouldn't save a soul from going to hell. Luther also rejected the validity of indulgences (remissions of temporal punishment due for sins which have already been forgiven). He was also opposed to the idea of indulgences being sold along with penance for sins being a business all about making money for the church. Luther insisted that sailing indulgences was contrary to the original ideas of confession and penance, and that Christians were being falsely told that they could find absolution through the purchase of indulgences. He insisted that since forgiveness was God's alone to grant, those who claimed that indulgences absolved buyers from all punishments and granted them salvation were in error. Christians, he said, must not slacken in following Christ on account of such false assurances.(with help from Wikipedia).
Luther helped to nail down that good works that we do to try and gain salvation, want save us. Keeping the commandments and being a good person want save you. Going to church and being baptised want save you. Taking the lords supper want save you. It's only through faith in Jesus and His Blood that will save a soul from hell. In Ephesians 2:8,9 we read 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift 9 not from works, so that no one can boast.
Luther helped to nail down that good works that we do to try and gain salvation, want save us. Keeping the commandments and being a good person want save you. Going to church and being baptised want save you. Taking the lords supper want save you. It's only through faith in Jesus and His Blood that will save a soul from hell. In Ephesians 2:8,9 we read 8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift 9 not from works, so that no one can boast.
"Nailed"
I’ve been working for my whole life to get to the other side
And try to achieve true righteousness
All the scourges and whips I cracked
The flesh I ripped off my back
It only led me to emptiness
Here I am, a broken man who’s done all that a man could do
And found that it’s only filthy rags
Monasteries, religious schools, indulgences, laws and rules
It all added up to nothing and darkness and death
Vanity, Heartache, and emptiness
Efforts all fading away
The flesh and defeat that it brings
‘Till You guide me and show me things
That my eyes have never seen before
As I burst forth from the belly of the beast
Never fight it anymore
For the burden on my life has been released
Nail it to the door
Solo: Val
Nailed these ninety-five things I’ve learned
They’ll say that I must be burned
For God has no place for heretics
All the things that they try to sell
It’s trickery straight from Hell
To turn it into a den of thieves
See these madmen peddling the wares of dead men’s souls
Collecting on a debt already paid so long ago
There’s fire in my spirit, and fire in their eyes
For now they’ll want to burn me alive
Yet freedom rings
Unworthiness is all I bring
The blood of Christ is all I claim
This grace revealed everything
That my eyes have never seen before
As I burst forth from the belly of the beast
Never fight it anymore
For the burden on my life has been released
Nail it to the door
I’ve been working for my whole life to get to the other side
And try to achieve true righteousness
All the scourges and whips I cracked
The flesh I ripped off my back
It only led me to emptiness
Here I am, a broken man who’s done all that a man could do
And found that it’s only filthy rags
Monasteries, religious schools, indulgences, laws and rules
It all added up to nothing and darkness and death
Vanity, Heartache, and emptiness
Efforts all fading away
The flesh and defeat that it brings
‘Till You guide me and show me things
That my eyes have never seen before
As I burst forth from the belly of the beast
Never fight it anymore
For the burden on my life has been released
Nail it to the door
Solo: Val
Nailed these ninety-five things I’ve learned
They’ll say that I must be burned
For God has no place for heretics
All the things that they try to sell
It’s trickery straight from Hell
To turn it into a den of thieves
See these madmen peddling the wares of dead men’s souls
Collecting on a debt already paid so long ago
There’s fire in my spirit, and fire in their eyes
For now they’ll want to burn me alive
Yet freedom rings
Unworthiness is all I bring
The blood of Christ is all I claim
This grace revealed everything
That my eyes have never seen before
As I burst forth from the belly of the beast
Never fight it anymore
For the burden on my life has been released
Nail it to the door
It doesn't matter Which album you buy, none of the albums disappoint but deliver in every aspect so do yourself a favor and get them all !
Musicians:
Matt Smith - Lead Vocals
Val Allen Wood - Lead Guitar
Jonathan Hinds - Guitar
Jared Oldham - Bass
Shawn Benson - Drums
Musicians:
Matt Smith - Lead Vocals
Val Allen Wood - Lead Guitar
Jonathan Hinds - Guitar
Jared Oldham - Bass
Shawn Benson - Drums