Theocracy (Official Thread)

Magic

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The debut, specifically the 2013 remaster, is impressive. Upon original release in 2003, this was a one man band, a project, from music, lyrics, to mixing and production, by a 26 year old, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, Matt Smith. To just imagine how this young man dreamed of and accomplished his dream has left me mind blown! Makes me wonder if he took some inspiration from Ayreon, another famous one man band.

The 2013 remaster gave this album a proper remix and a bit slicker production along with an actual drummer, Shawn Benson. I did search out my album picks on YouTube to compare the 2003 original’s versus the 2013 remixes. There is a noticeable difference through my headphones, and I am very appreciative of the rerelease.

I am a person who likes slower paced, mid tempo, more complex songs that tend to walk a line between symphonic and progressive. With that said, I found a lot of this on “Theocracy”. My first song pick follows an epic 11+ minute opus….and I had to hit repeat immediately to listen to this song twice, I bring you..”Mountain”


The opening church organ is spectacular. I have always been drawn in by music that uses this lush sound, it’s quite unique. The organ is followed by an in your face riff. There are numerous time and tempo changes with a chugging beat and a nicely placed short solo. The vocals are nothing short of amazing.

My next pick is an 11+ minute opus, “The Healing Hand”.


This sprawling song starts off hard with shifting sound from right to left then settles into a ballad pace that soon builds to an intricate progressive metal piece. Mid paced with a beautiful vocal chorus. Amazing how one man can achieve a chorus comprised of himself. Matt has a skin crawling, soaring voice! The Healing Hand has many twists and turns, including some acoustics, and builds to a crescendo of wild double thumpers. I never became bored or inattentive throughout the songs length. Bravissimo!

The next favorite is “Sinner”.


A ballad. I am instantly drawn to ballads. This one is beautiful. The interplay between guitar, organ, and piano is mesmerizing. The song builds to a catchy, heavy riff, then ends on a soft, almost sad note.

I have to give Matt Smith great appreciation for a stunning achievement.

9.5/10
 

TACdtf

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Wow, that's quite a writeup! yeah, you nailed it. The Healing Hand is an amazing song.

Matt has an amazing voice, and he's such a great songwriter and arranger. Glad you liked it.

On Mirror Of Souls, I find quite a bit of it kind of power metally, but Laying The Demon To Rest is thrashtastic, and the vocal production on Absolution Day is impressive.

Of course, the monster is the title track. The concept of each mirror is relfecting how each person you meet sees you is mind bogglingly incredible.
 

Magic

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Ummmm…..i dunno about Mirror of Souls, amigo.
Lemme give it a double or triple listen, then I will state my opinion.
 

TACdtf

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That's actually where I came in on Theocracy.

There's some weaker tracks there. It's more power metalish than any of their other albums.
Still a couple of killers.
 

Magic

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The sophomore album, where Theocracy is now a proper three piece band. Upon first listen, I wasn’t very impressed until I got to the title song, “Mirror of Souls”, which is the album closer. I will get to that song in a minute…

The album opens with those haunting church organs I am so fond of then proceeds with a nice melodic riff and bam! In your face power and crushing speed. This is where I became a bit lost. Not that I dislike thumping power and speed, it just isn’t what turns my metal horns up! Nothing unique, or inspiring. Even the vocals are mediocre.

The musicianship and production is top notch. The drums are prominent and aggressive. The riffs are catchy. I have nothing negative to say about the technical side of the music.

The first song to bring me out of my slump is “Laying the Demon to Rest”


This song clocks in at over 9 minutes. It opens very aggressive with a huge extended vocal high pipe scream from Matt. Ok! You’ve got my attention. The song takes many twists and tempo changes. The chorus is outstanding. The solo’s, including interplay with the bassist, is pleasantly ear catching. Then you get duels between guitar and drum blast beats. Plenty of shredding, too. Plenty to keep me entertained. I would give this song a very solid 9/10 rating.


I wouldn’t be normal if I didn’t mention the ballad-ish Bethlehem. Very emotionally moving song.



Finally, the monumental closing track, Mirror of Souls. This is the most progressive track on the album, and the one track I thoroughly enjoyed.
This 22+ minute track makes this album worthy of my time. This song ticks all the progressive metal boxes; complex, anthemic chorus, catchy riffs and hooks, tempo changes, solo’s, acoustic bits, moody tones, and a beautiful piano closing. The story this song tells is captivating. A man has a dream that takes him on a journey into a dreary hall of mirrors where the last mirror reveals his true soul. This track is stunning!


Overall, I give the album a 9/10, based solely on those two songs alone. The rest of the album is, Meh….
 

TACdtf

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Totally fair and legit review. I feel like it's their most Power Metally album, and it's not my go to album by them, though the title track I listened to regularly.
 

Magic

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Yeah, it is a power metal album for sure and leans heavily on the thrashy side. Super aggressive percussion. Here’s my problem with this type of metal, everyone in that genre does the same thing. It’s either in your face aggressive, speedy percussion or it’s aggressive vocals and shredding guitars or both. I call it a wall of noise.

I much prefer these styles to be gingerly sprinkled into the music.

I’m ok with Theocracy thus far. In fact, I am enjoying a lot of the music. I have a feeling they are just getting warmed up and finding their niche. We shall see as I move through the albums!

You know I came to this band almost blind except for a couple songs on Mosaic that I listened to once ;)
 

TACdtf

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Yeah, it is a power metal album for sure and leans heavily on the thrashy side. Super aggressive percussion. Here’s my problem with this type of metal, everyone in that genre does the same thing. It’s either in your face aggressive, speedy percussion or it’s aggressive vocals and shredding guitars or both. I call it a wall of noise.

I much prefer these styles to be gingerly sprinkled into the music.

I’m ok with Theocracy thus far. In fact, I am enjoying a lot of the music. I have a feeling they are just getting warmed up and finding their niche. We shall see as I move through the albums!

You know I came to this band almost blind except for a couple songs on Mosaic that I listened to once ;)
The following albums breathe a lot more. I mean, you're not wrong about this one, and like I said, it's the one I go back to the least.
 

Magic

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As The World Bleeds, the third album by Theocracy, released in 2011, has come full circle with a full five piece band. This album is spectacular. The music has become more in the veins of symphonic metal spiced with traditional metal including many aspects of pure, raw power metal and all the intricacies of progressive metal. I can hear influences from all my favorite bands; Avantasia, Blind Guardian, Iron Maiden, Kamelot, Savatage, Hammerfall, and Dream Theater.

The orchestration and layers of melodic sound is epic. The guitars are fast, crunchy, technical, and heavy. The drums are brutally cataclysmic. The bass is clearly heard. The vocals are incredible. The production is lush and crisp. Matt’s lyrical writings have matured and he has become a master wordsmith at delivering his message.

The album opener and closer dish out some Iron Maiden like runs. There is a clearly heard nod to Blind Guardian on “Hide In The Fairytale”, which is the only song that received an official video:


Noteworthy on my part is a lack of anything that would resemble a ballad. Not a deal breaker for me because the whole album kept me entertained with some soft passages, killer dueling guitar solos, and fabulous choruses. Nine stand alone songs and one 11 minute opus, which is my favorite Theocracy song thus far…….

I Am

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