Theocracy
Mirror Of Souls (2008)
Band
This album represents all that this journal will be about. Three warrior poets have harnessed the creative lifeforce that burns within them and poured their spirits into their instruments to unleash a selection of battle hymns for us all to devour.
Overview
Theocracy is an American power metal band with prog tendencies. Matt Smith's passionate vocals bring to mind classic, American prog and pomp bands bands like Styx, Kansas, and Starcastle. The music, however, is hard hitting, melodic power metal in the vein of Gamma Ray and Edguy. Each musician has moments of genius on their instrument, and the playing is everything you expect from a band of their genre.
Songs
- "A Tower Of Ashes" kicks off the album with a majestic keyboard intro followed by a double time scorcher. The band shows it is a brotherhood on this album, playing in precision lockstep throughout the song. The layered vocals of the chorus all come together to form a massive vocal hook that will stay in your head for weeks to come.
- "One Eagles' Wings" is next, and their is some nice axe wielding on this song between the verses. The layered vocals are back in the chorus, reminding me of classic TNT. This is a battle hymn to the King, and it's an energetic, driving track.
- "Laying The Demon To Rest" starts off with a fairly generic guitar riff, but the drumming propels the song along. Abruptly, there is a keyboard break, and Matt Smith begins to sing in an ominous tone. This sets up a galloping section and chorus that reminds me of The Warning era Queensryche. The lyrics are strong on this song, with some nice battle imagery.
- "Bethlehem" begins with a nice, acoustic intro. The acoustic instrumentation, along with the vocal delivery, are very medieval. Fans of Blind Guardian will appreciate this track. It is the ballad of the album and is a nice change of pace from the double time drumming.
- Don't worry though, because on "Absolution Day," the band is back firing away on all cylinders. It's a great power metal song with some nice guitar and another big chorus to sing along to.
- "Writing In The Sand" has a killer baroque organ intro. This is a more straight-forward, classic metal song. It's mid-tempo throughout, and there's another big chorus. This band knows how to deliver choruses!
- "Martyr" speeds things up again. I like the opening guitar riff. It's not anything fancy, but it's catchy, and that's really the strength of this band. Everything, every guitar riff and vocal, is catchy. There's enough hooks to catch fish for days.
- "Mirror Of Souls" is the prog track on the album. Clocking in at just under 23 minutes, the band revisits all of the sonic landscapes previously heard on the album and smashes them together into an epic album closer.
Conclusion
The band definitely salutes their influences on this album, and not much of it is truly original, but Mirror of Souls delivers what few power metal bands achieve - a consistent album from start to finish. I eagerly await their future releases which should see them develop more of a unique voice. Each song has at least one hook that will stick with you long after the album is over. The album is largely fast-paced, but there are a few slow and mid-paced songs to even out the listening experience. It is about as perfect as a power metal album can get. One drawback for some listeners may be that the band never really strays from heavy Christian imagery in their lyrics, but do not fear. Theocracy delivers lyrics that are as passionate and inspiring as any in the genre. Battle hymns? I couldn't think of a better description.
4 Swords Up (out of 5)!
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