Theocracy (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Theocracy


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Origin = Athens, GA USA
Genre = Power metal Progressive metal Christian metal
Years_active = 2002-present
Label = MetalAges Records
URL = [http://www.theocracymusic.com Official Website]
Current_members = Matt Smith Shawn Benson Jonathan Hinds
Past_members = Seth Filkins Josh Sloan Patrick Parris

Theocracy is a Christian Progressive Power metal band founded in 2002 by Matt Smith of Athens, Georgia. 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 Shawn Benson and Jonathan Hinds. Musically, the band mixes the power metal style of Iron Maiden, Edguy, Iced Earth, and Helloween with progressive influences from bands such as Dream Theater, Symphony X, Kansas, and Rush.

Recently, 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. [ [http://www.lucidloungestudios.com/ProgPower7TheDVD/DVDProgress.htm ProgPower The DVD Progress Reort ] ] The band has recently finished recording their second album which is set to be titled "Mirror of Souls". The album will be released in the near future on Sweden's Ulterium Records and features cover artwork by Invisible Creature. [ [http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/theocracy/399884-theocracy-signs-ulterium-records.html Theocracy Signs with Ulterium Records - Ultimate Metal Forum] ] A new song "On Eagles Wings" which will be on the upcoming album can be heard on the bands official MySpace page. [ [http://www.myspace.com/theocracyband MySpace.com - Theocracy - ATHENS, Georgia - Metal / Christian / Progressive - www.myspace.com/theocracyband ] ] "Mirror of Souls" will be released on November 26, 2008 in Japan by Soundholic Records. The Japanese version will contain the bonus track "Wages of Sin". Details for the European and North American release have not yet been announced.

Band members

Current members

*Matt Smith - lead vocals, guitar (Note: Smith performed all lead and choir vocals, rhythm, lead, acoustic, and bass guitars, keys and orchestration on the self-titled album Theocracy)
*Jonathan Hinds - guitar, backing vocals
*Shawn Benson - drums

Former members

*Seth Filkins - bass, backing vocals
*Josh Sloan - bass, backing vocals
*Patrick Parris - bass, backing vocals

Discography

*"Theocracy" (MetalAges Records 2003)
*"Mirror of Souls" (2008)

Miscellanea

*Matt Smith is also known for being the creator of a popular parody song of the Metallica album St. Anger. [http://www.sinister.com.au/_dloads/ms_stanger/ms_stanger.php#]
*Theocracy also has recorded a metal version of O come, O come, Emmanuel. In years past they recorded other songs for the Christmas season including an 11 minute medley of traditional Christmas carols, a version of "Little Drummer Boy" and a song titled "Deck the Joy", which as the title suggests is a combination of "Deck the Halls" and "Joy to the World". All of these songs were made available for free download at their website.
*Theocracy made an appearance on the cover of the January/December 2007 issue of Heaven's Metal magazine. [http://www.hmmagazine.com/store/002038.php]
*Matt Smith was also one of a select few musicians to appear in the "Metal Bible". [http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=25124]
*The band wrote a song about John O'Connell (nicknamed Jack-O), a popular guest from ESPN writer Bill Simmons' podcast, "The B.S. Report." The song is called "The Gregarious Raconteur."

Audio

* [http://www.sinister.com.au/_dloads/ms_stanger/ms_stangertrib.mp3 "St. Anger" Parody mp3]
* [http://www.theocracymusic.com/mp3/OComeEmmanuel.mp3 "O come, O come Emmanuel" mp3]
* [http://www.theocracymusic.com/mp3/TheocracyChristmas2006.mp3 "Theocracy Christmas Medley" mp3]
* [http://www.theocracymusic.com/mp3/DeckTheJoy.mp3 "Deck the Joy" mp3]
* [http://www.theocracymusic.com/mp3/LittleDrummerBoy.mp3 "Little Drummer Boy" mp3]
* [http://www.theocracymusic.com/SkeletorGoesToMars.mp3 "Skeletor Goes to Mars" mp3] (Posted as a track from the new album, but was actually revealed to be an April Fool's joke)

External links

* [http://www.theocracymusic.com/ Official Theocracy Home Page]
* [http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/theocracy-328/ Official Theocracy Forums]
* [http://www.myspace.com/theocracyband Official Theocracy Page] at MySpace
* [http://www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=14509 Theocracy] at Metal Archives

References