Years active 2002–present | Website www.theocracymusic.com | |
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Past members Seth FilkinsJosh SloanPatrick ParrisPatrick Nickell Members Val Allen Wood, Jonathan Hinds, Jared Oldham Record labels Ulterium Records, Bickee Music, MetalAges Records Similar Signum Regis, Divinefire, Narnia, Rob Rock, Within Silence Profiles | ||
Theocracy is a Christian progressive power metal band founded in 2002 by Matt Smith of Athens, Georgia. They have released four albums and multiple Christmas singles. Smith was one of a select few musicians to appear in the "Metal Bible".
Contents
Background
The group originally started out as a one-man project and all the instruments and vocals done on the debut album Theocracy were performed by Smith. The current lineup includes Smith along with Ernie Topran, Jonathan Hinds, Jared Oldham, and Val Allen Wood. Musically, the band mixes the power metal style of Edguy, Iced Earth, and Helloween with progressive influences from bands such as Dream Theater, Symphony X, Kansas and Rush.
The group performed at the ProgPower 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 Souls, was released on Sweden's Ulterium Records and features cover artwork by Robert G. Wilson, Jr. They made an appearance on the cover of the January/December 2007 issue of Heaven's Metal magazine.
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.
As the World Bleeds, was released on November 21, 2011 in North America and on November 25, 2011 in Europe. After releasing their new album Theocracy released their first official music video from the new album, entitled "Hide in the Fairytale" on September 5, 2012.
The band embarked on a European tour to promote the remastered re-release of the self-titled album in November 2013. The tour consisted of smaller venue shows as well as larger festivals including Brainstorm Festival in The Netherlands, Blast of Eternity, and Rock Without Limits in Germany, and Maata Näkyvissä Festival in Finland. Joshua Street filled in for drummer Shawn Benson for this tour.
Band members
Timeline
Discography
Christmas
Starting in 2003, the band has recorded and released one Christmas-themed song for free download to all members of their "Club of Souls" fan group per year, located on their official website, excluding 2013 and 2015. In 2013, Matt Smith instead dedicated his efforts to the Collide & Spark charity special, released as Project Aegis. In 2015, Theocracy instead were working on a new album, therefore did not have any time to record a new Christmas song.
Songs
Laying the Demon to RestMirror of Souls · 2008
Hide in the FairytaleAs the World Bleeds · 2011
Absolution DayMirror of Souls · 2008