Has anyone here heard of the band, "Theocracy"? I only recently stumbled upon them, but I know I've seen the name tossed around either here or the PRMW boards. For those who don't know, they're a Christian progressive/power metal band, with a lead singer/songwriter (Matt Smith) who reminds me of Michael Sweet in voice, and of Bob Hartman in songwriting.
I fully admit to not being a great judge of styles in music/songwriting, but I was honestly blown away by reading some of these lyrics from Theocracy - before hearing any of their music. It really reminded me of what I like about Bob's writing; terse lines, cutting statements, and loaded with Biblical truth.
Musically, I guess it's "metal", although to be honest it reminded me again of Dream-Team era Petra - lots of keyboard/synths, memorable melodies, powerful background vocals and heavy and fast guitar work.
I'm just wondering if anyone else has heard of this band and has any opinions or insights? I've just begun listening to these guys and I can't find much on them.
I'm quoting a couple of their songs below - the first is from their latest album "As The World Bleeds"; the last from Matt's one-man-band debut album "Theocracy". Personally I'm blown away by the lyrics alone... is it just me?
http://theocracymusic.com
Altar to the Unknown God
Build a fire and fan the flame
Sacrifice without a name
Offerings on the altar to the unknown god
Multitudes of gods cover our landscapes and our lives
Images of deities and halls of sacrifice
Philosophers and scholars and sophisticates we are
Our gods are our religion and religion is our god
A stranger came to town one day
And fearlessly proclaimed
“The unknown god you worship
On this altar has a name”
He said, “This god is not an image
Or a statue of the dead
In Him we live and have our being
As your own poets have said”
Build a fire and fan the flame
Sacrifice without a name
Offerings on the altar to the unknown god
Dance around the altar blaze
Brings the works your hands have made
Place them on the altar to the unknown god
He dwells not in temples
Built by human hands
He needs no assistance
Or service of man
The nameless you worship
Is greater than all
Your idols of death
Never answer your call
All nations He formed
From the flesh of one man
He marked out their times
And the boundaries of lands
Your life and your breath
He bestows with the day
So seek Him and find Him
For He is not far away
Fire upon the altar
Burns the sacrifice
Sacrificial lamb was slain to pay the final price
Come, ye heavy laden
Sinner’s mercy cry
The unknown God your call upon is nigh
Gather ‘round the altar
Stoke the holy fire
Purifying flames of righteousness
Are rising higher
Come ye hungry, eat the bread of life
And drink the wine
Altar to the living God divine
No image of stone or of silver and gold
No effigy mankind has raised to behold
The day and the hour of judgment is set
He’s proven Him by the resurrection of the dead
Build a fire and fan the flame
Sacrifice without a name
Offerings on the altar to the unknown god
Stand before the altar blaze
Bring the lives His hands have made
Place them on the altar to the one true god
Your unknown god
Is the one living God
Theocracy
At the center of my heart there sits a throne
That the rightful occupant's not always
free to call His own
For how can I give the King
His place of worth above all else
When I spend my time striving
to place that crown upon myself
Battle cry, to engage
For the war, set the stage
And the armies march and kings arise
For the choice, time has come
Mine or Thy will be done?
And the pain reflects in holy eyes
For the will to obey
From the night to the day
And the seasons change and rulers die
Not of flesh, not of men
Wage the war deep within
On and on it rages undenied
I take my crown, cast it down
Castles burning, Castles burning
Learn to grow, grow to be
A flesh and blood Theocracy
To take the loss, bear the cross
Raise the Kingdom, raise the Kingdom
Burn away all I've been
To resurrect Theocracy within
And the would-be rulers of my heart
That I place upon the throne
Each lead the kingdom of my life to ruin
To bring every thought into submission,
to tear the idols down
is to break the chains, to rearrange
to give the King his crown
Chorus
Father, use me to be Your hands down here
A mirror to reflect Your glory into hurting eyes
And let me see the world with vision clear
and not through selfishness and lies
For if I am consumed with my own cares
What right will I have to speak the words
"The Kingdom come"?
And if I am consumed with my own will
What right to pray "Thy will be done"?
As all around me I see bleeding souls
Please give me strength to never pass them idly by
And as the angry stormclouds start to roll,
May they see comfort in my eyes
For just as you are full of mercy and love
The same to others, You have called me to be
And by the covenant of grace, above and below
Within our souls: Theocracy
Chorus