Theocracy

Theocracy has channeled the elaborate structures and forceful drive of prog and power metal acts such as Dream Theater and Iced Earth, infusing its expansive sound with explicitly Christian themes since forming in 2002. What began as a one-man project saw Matt Smith recording every instrument himself for the group’s self-titled debut album in 2003. Eventually the Athens, Georgia-based musician expanded the lineup by bringing in guitarists Jonathan Hinds and Val Allen Wood, bassist Jared Oldham, and drummer Shawn Benson. With Smith now concentrating on vocals, the five-piece issued its sophomore effort, Mirror of Souls, through Nightmare Records in 2008. Two years later the band followed with As the World Bleeds. Extensive touring ensued in support of that 2011 release before the members reconvened in 2016 to track Ghost Ship, which Smith himself produced.