| Musical Style: Epic Metal | Produced By: Matt Smith |
| Record Label: Metal Ages | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2003 | Artist Website: Theocracy |
| Tracks: 10 | Rating: 95% |
| Running Time: 68:29 |
"When you're dealing with the most powerful and serious subject matter in existence, you can't back it up with weak music- it just doesn't work."
-Matt Smith
A gifted songwriter and multi-talented musician by the name of Matt Smith put Theocracy together with the idea of combining powerful music with a Christian message. Initially starting out as the bands lead vocalist and guitarist, Smith formed Theocracy after high school with a friend on bass and several different drummers. In time, however, as the other musicians involved with the band moved away to attend college or had gotten jobs in other cities, Theocracy became a one man project under the guidance of the capable Smith. In 2001 he recorded a 3-song EP which made its way into the hands of Metal Ages Records owner Deron Blevins who, upon falling in love with Smith's music, made Theocracy the first artist signed to the label.
I might describe Theocracy's 2003 self-titled debut as epic melodic power metal with progressive tendencies. A showcase for Matt Smith's creative songwriting skills, Theocracy is characterized by huge catchy chorus' and infectious melodies backed by anointed lyrics and a versatile display of musicianship. Theocracy, as previously stated, is a one man project in which Smith handles all lead and choir vocals, rhythm, lead, acoustic and bass guitars, keyboards and orchestration and drum programming. (Do not be concerned about the programmed drums. They sound fine. And if the liner notes failed to mention they were programmed I would not have been able to tell the difference.) Smith also takes on production duties in addition to engineering and mixing the project
Theocracy features a production job giving prominence to professional sounding sonics allowing for just the right amount of polish. A near perfect of lead guitar, keyboards and steady bass lines reinforces a crisp and edgy rhythm guitar sound.
A brief (1:36) instrumental album opener, "Prelude" is propelled by a combination of strings and keyboards.
After "Ichthus" commences to a fast paced riff underscored by double bass, it maintains an upbeat tempo as an abundance of vocal harmonies help carry its first and second verse. As "Ichthus" gains momentum, it transitions to a catchy chorus backed in a powerful manner by more double bass. "Ichthus" talks about the eternal promise of the believer:
Forced into the catacombs
Unite to praise the King of kings
They fear a revolution
And the power that He brings
Heaven's sons stand as one as believers
In the blood of Christ
Even in death we have true life
"The Serpent's Kiss" is the first of the albums three progressive influenced tracks carried out past eleven minutes. The song starts slowly as a piano stands in support of Smith's abundant voice during its first verse. Once the rhythm guitar kicks in at the start of the second, it quickly drives "The Serpent's Kiss" forward until it culminates for an epic flavored chorus bolstered by vocal harmonies. A sweeping six minute instrumental passage progresses to a double bass driven riff until Smith cuts loose with several seconds of the albums best lead guitar work. "The Serpent's Kiss" reaches its emotional peak as Smith delivers a line about God's faithfulness:
Father, bring us back to You
We're lost sheep, afraid, confused
Tangled in the snares that grow along the road of pain we choose
And though we've wandered far away
We've turned around and lost our way
Though we are the prodigal, with open arms for us You still await
Getting underway an organ solo, "Mountain" advances to a near perfect blend of rhythm guitar and keyboards. Subsequent to the keyboards dropping from the mix as a plethora of vocal harmonies holds sway over its first verse, the song slows to a near standstill as it details God's power:
And in my weakness is Your strength realized
Consume me in the fire of Your glory once again and help me rise
The vocal harmonies return as "Mountain" picks up in pace for a powerful chorus carried by Smith’s emotional vocal delivery. As the song peaks, "Mountain" takes on an almost worshipful tone with its lyrics:
I cannot fight this battle on my own
Have mercy
I'm fallen weakness clothed in flesh and bone
Consume me
I stand in awe of who You are
And what I feel that I cannot explain
Forged in the flame, broken again
The albums title track takes off to a combination of orchestration and keyboards before a fast paced double bass driven riff takes it forward strong and steady. Following a cacophony of backing voices accentuating its swiftly moving second verse, "Theocracy" culminates for a chorus sublimely driven by vocal harmonies. Twenty seconds of rhythm guitar harmony opens an instrumental passage ending to a bass guitar solo. "Theocracy" gives prominence to more anointed lyrics:
I take my crown and cast it down
Castles burning (castles burning)
Learn to grow, grow to be
A flesh and blood Theocracy
To take the loss and bear the cross
Raise the Kingdom (raise the Kingdom)
Burn away all I've been
To resurrect Theocracy within
The complex and epic length (11:36) masterpiece "The Healing Hand" is broken down into five different parts as it details the birth, crucifixion, resurrection and eternal Kingdom of Christ.
"The Gift" opens as the rhythm guitar bounces between the left and right channel before it slows to huge choir-like vocal harmonies that twice state "Gloria!" Just before reaching its first verse, an acoustic guitar carries "The Gift" forward until the rhythm guitar returns to the front of the mix as it picks up in pace. "The Gift" portrays the birth of Christ:
Holiness in flesh arrived
The star has shown the path to life
And hope is now alive
For into earth is born the holy hand
Set in motion to over one minute of catchy rhythm guitar harmony, "Restoration" takes an emotional tone as Theocracy style vocal harmonies depict the restorative powers of Christ:
Take my scars, heal my wounds, give new life to me they cry
Cleanse my stains, kill disease
Master make this sickness die
Endless power, fueled by faith, restoration in one touch
Miracle, supernaturally disease is crushed
The holy hand becomes the healing hand
Smith ends "Restoration" with a scream that would turn the head of Michael Sweet (Stryper).
"The Healing Hand" maintains its momentum as it immediately advances to "Adulation" and conveys a worshipful tone:
Hear the people joined in praise to Christ, incarnate Holy One
Worthy is the Lamb they say
Messiah prophesied has come
Honored for eternity, forever shall we give Him praise
Never will our hearts turn cold, we never shall betray...
"Betrayal" begins to a quietly played guitar line only to transition to a crisp rhythm guitar that pushes it forward at a mid-tempo pace. Following forty seconds of acoustic guitar, the rhythm guitar returns as the crucifixion is detailed:
See the hand that drives the nail
Through the hand that never failed
Hear the laughter, see the games
They mock salvation unashamed
See the ones He came to justify
Coldly stand and watch Him die
Rejected by His chosen land
The healing hand becomes the bleeding hand
Opening to over one minute of upbeat rhythm guitar harmony underlined by double bass, "Eternity" quickly takes off as it describes the eternal Kingdom of Christ:
His kingdom forever, the Lion of Judah in strength
Everlasting redemption, atonement complete
Resurrected in power, as King now He stands
For the bleeding hand has become the ruling hand
The songs message cannot be summed up any better than in its closing line:
Alpha and Omega almighty is He
Christ reigns victorious for eternity (eternity)
A combination of acoustic guitar and keyboards slowly moves "Sinner" through its first and second verse, the song picking up in pace as the rhythm guitar steps forward and shores up a chorus that is repeated twice in an emotionally charged manner. The instrumental passage that follows features forty seconds of driving rhythm guitar fortified by keyboards. The subject matter to "Sinner" is self-explanatory:
Help me
Save me
Take this guilt away from me
Take me back to where I was (before the fall)
Wash me
Cleanse me
See what has become of me
Trying on my own I failed so I now come crawling back to You
I've fallen
"New Jerusalem" is based around Revelation 21:
Twelve gates of Jerusalem
Twelve angels surround the wall
I have seen the New Jerusalem
Glorious, the New Jerusalem
Behold the world of corruption has passed away
Out of the ashes below me I rise
Into the city of new life, the power, the way
Ascending into paradise
A fast paced riff drives "New Jerusalem" from front to back at an upbeat tempo, choir-like vocal harmonies reinforcing the songs first and second verse in addition to an anthem-like chorus backed by double bass. A keyboard solo opens an instrumental passage closing to forty seconds of double bass driven rhythm guitar harmony.
Introduced to over thirty seconds of Middle Eastern flavored guitar, "The Victory Dance" moves ahead in rapid fashion until it peaks for a catchy chorus highlighted by just the right amount of lush backing vocals. A combination of rhythm and acoustic guitar propels an instrumental passage ending to a keyboard solo.
"Twist Of Fate", the albums third track carried past eleven minutes, is divided into three parts.
A thunderstorm underlined by guitar feedback introduces "Descent Into The Valley Of The Shadows" followed by vocal harmonies carrying its lone verse based around Psalm 23:
Yea, though I walk through the valleys of the shadow of death
I will not fear...
"Passage Through The Valley" embarks to a driving guitar riff before slowing for its first verse as a heavy bass line underscores Smith's distorted vocal delivery. After the rhythm guitar moves to the front of the mix, it conveys the song through its fourth verse with a plethora of energy until it picks up further in pace and culminates for a double bass driven chorus with an infectious refuse to go away hook. A catchy guitar riff highlighted by sweeping keyboards impels the two and a half minute long instrumental section that follows. "Passage Through The Valley" deals with the trials of a struggling soul:
Trying to win with the cards I've been dealt
But without eyes of faith there can be nothing gained
The thorn in my flesh, the scars of myself
The dance with deception, the death of my pride
The solution to these struggles, however, is only through faith:
But it has long been written
All things work together perfectly for me
For I have been reborn
The hand of God has wrapped protective fingers around me
To guard me from a self-defeating way
"Twist Of Fate" reaches its conclusion with "Ascent Unto The Mountain". Catchy background vocals drive the songs final two minutes as it reaches an emotional peak as Smith closes the album with a statement of faith:
Father of glory, the only help I see
Set me free
Father of mercy please take this hex from me
For yes I do believe
Theocracy incorporates all the fine details making up a great album in that the songwriting, musicianship, production, lyrics and packaging were all done to a high degree of professionalism. At the same time, give a great deal of credit to the versatile Smith who handled from front to back all aspect of those fine details in questions. The only constructive comment worth offering would be to encourage him to incorporate the involvement of other musicians on the next Theocracy project. Along that line, with the benefit of a band to back him Smith would be able to tour; I cannot help but think the powerful music of Theocracy would translate great live.
Review by: Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "Prelude" (1:36), "Ichthus" (4:39), "The Serpent’s Kiss" (11:56), "Mountain" (4:48), "Theocracy" (6:00), "The Healing Hand" (11:36), "Sinner" (6:08), "New Jerusalem" (5:10), "The Victory Dance" (5:02), "Twist Of Fate" (11:30)
Musicians
Lead Vocals – Matt Smith
Guitar – Matt Smith
Keyboards – Matt Smith
Bass – Matt Smith
Drum Programming – Matt Smith
Videos - "Theocracy Rehearsal Video"
