Theocracy - As The World Bleeds
Ulterium Records
Melodic Power Progressive Metal
10 songs (61'59")
Release year: 2011
Theocracy, Ulterium Records
Reviewed by Erik
Album of the month

I don't think I've ever laughed as hard at any individual song as I did upon discovering Matt Smith's dig at Metallica's St. Anger album a few years back. It was still quite hilarious after several replays, and it then occurred to me that it was a perfect mirror image of one band falling from greatness while another rose from its origins. Regardless of your opinion on the universally-panned St. Anger, it is difficult to deny what Theocracy's latest album As The World Bleeds represents to the world of metal. Perhaps most significantly, this is the first offering of Theocracy as a full-fledged band rather than Matt Smith's side project.

There are now two ways to judge As The World Bleeds. The first would be to measure it up to its predecessor Mirror Of Souls, a progressive power metal masterpiece by any standards. In that regard, Theocracy has done the unthinkable and improved from there, bringing more progressive and more power to the table. Solos now abound, thanks to new lead guitarist Val Allen Wood, the riffs are more aggressive, Matt's vocals are more prevalent, and the lyrics even more hard-hitting. Secondly, it could me compared, as a full-on band, to its peers in today's progressive power metal scene, and then what you have is an absolute gem with amazing melodies and harmonies, savage yet fitting drum work, and a powerful message that penetrates the very core of humanity from a Christian perspective.

Well, yeah, Theocracy is undoubtedly a Christian band. And if you somehow didn't get that message previously, it's stamped all over As The World Bleeds. In red, no less. If there was ever a band that exemplified the term "Not Ashamed" [of its religion], it would certainly be this one. Matt & Co are bold and proud, and it shows at every step. Take the very first track, I Am, as a fitting example. While only half as long as the previous album's title track tour-de-force, the impact is very much the equal. From the opening seconds of the foreboding intro, through each segment of glorious vocals, choirs, and huge rhythmic accompaniment, you immediately realize several things. Matt Smith is one astounding singer, capable of an enormous range. The first time you hear "You cannot see me!"; "You cannot touch me!" over the backing choirs, you may well get the same shivers I did. Also, Shawn Benson is an absolute machine behind the kit, providing serious thump and precise hits to tick every power and progressive box there is. For some reason he reminds me of Uli Kusch (ex-Helloween, Masterplan).

Everything here has been turned up to 11. That includes musicianship and writing, which is an integral part of any Theocracy album. It's all too easy to scrounge around in the Christian metal camp and come up with some truly cheesy lyrical content. Actually, that's true in any form of metal. Matt, however, avoids the cliched pitfalls and somehow seems to lay down the most amazing, flowing words to his songs. It's a real gift, and the effect is profound if you've become used to stereotypical religious metal. This is somewhat dark, penetrating subject matter dealing with mankind's fall from grace and the resulting internal battle between good and evil. If you're not in the mood to consider this type of spiritual warfare (without the preachiness), that may change before the end of the album. Nothing is left to chance or simply thrown in to make a good rhyme; every single word and phrase has a well-thought-out purpose and intent. In fact, the same could be said about the project as a whole.

After the impressive opening track echoes its final shout, The Master Storyteller cuts in, which is a great uptempo anthem in the vein of On Eagles Wings. By this point, you begin to realize what a difference adding Val Allen Wood has made. This guy's soloing and lead work is so varied and expressive, with hints of pure speed and aggression that was blatantly missing from MOS. His playing ability really shines on tracks like The Gift Of Music and Drown, and the overall effect is a perfect match for this band. Having Wood and Benson pounding out progressive interludes side by side is a remarkable aural treat, heard in the latter section of I Am and several instances of near-thrash assault throughout the album. Add the hook-filled melodies and choruses of Smith's vocal work, and the end result is easily one of the best entries in the genre we've heard for quite some time. Keyboards, however, are a little more diminished than previously, really punching the sound .

As is becoming par for Theocracy, there are no sub-average tracks, with each song carefully considered and created like a skilled painter. Smith is not known to rush production just to toss a new record on the stack. Nailed stands out as a reference to Martin Luther's open attack on the Catholic Church during the Protestant Reformation, and consequently has stirred up a wasps' nest of arguments and criticisms, but it covers the range of emotions Luther must have experienced very well. Another fantastic chorus is Light Of The World, with a sing-along bit that will have you humming it for days, along with The Master Storyteller and Altar To The Unknown God. Everything comes full circle with the heartfelt title track at the end, throwing a bleeding world's separation from God down as a gauntlet to all of humanity. As you will no doubt notice, most of this material is written with those awesome vocal melodies from the get-go, not tacked on as an afterthought by some prog-infested guitarist. That said, the variety of styles and atmosphere throughout keeps any one section from becoming overbearing. As for production quality, it redefines crisp and clear. You can practically hear Smith breathing between phrases, the squeaking of Benson's foot on the pedals, and Wood's fingertips flicking between the strings and frets.

While Mirror Of Souls, especially with its epic title track, revealed flashes of brilliance at times, As The World Bleeds solidly cements Theocracy's position in the world of progressive power metal as that of an intelligent, talented group of musicians. It speaks volumes that Nightwish's greatly-anticipated, over-hyped and insanely-budgeted Imaginaerum didn't leave half the impression on me as this album. Say or think what you will about the religious aspects involved, there is just no denying the writing or technical prowess evident on all fronts. Matt Smith may have faith that can move mountains, but it takes no such feat to appreciate As The World Bleeds for its numerous strengths and few, if any, weaknesses. Fellow bands in the arena of metal, you've just been put on notice.

Killing Songs :
All, but I Am stands apart
Erik quoted 97 / 100
Other albums by Theocracy that we have reviewed:
Theocracy - Mirror Of Souls reviewed by Kyle and quoted 98 / 100
Theocracy - Theocracy reviewed by Ben and quoted 95 / 100
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