Just Heard Theocracy for the First time....

Temple of Blood · Number of posts: 1108 Age: 34 Registration date: 2007-04-09

I don't hear any good guitar riffs in their music, but they certainly sound professionally recorded and played. More power to those who like them, but to me great guitar riffing is a central component of metal music.

_________________
TEMPLE OF BLOOD - Intense Power Thrash Metal with Biblical lyrics
http://www.templeofblood.net
http://www.myspace.com/templeofblood

New album "Overlord" now available!!!

Follower of Jesus · Number of posts: 3335 Age: 36 Registration date: 2007-04-07

angelofdarkness wrote:

I just heard them for the first time as well.....and I SERIOUSLY don't get what the big deal is about them. The vocals just kill it for me....maybe it's because I can't stand that overblown proggish metal sound, (and I actually think they're kinda flat at times.) Either way, for a christian band, they might be decent, but they don't hold a candle to the countless other secular bands that do it better.

See, for me, the vocal approach, especially the choir-like layered BGV's, are a big part of the appeal of this band to me. I also have to say that the lyrics that Matt writes are amazing. They are accessible and easy to understand, yet complicated and deep. That's a rare combination! Yeah, the straight up metal part of the music may not be the strongest out there, but the total package here is better than much of what I hear elsewhere.

angelofdarkness · Number of posts: 557 Age: 32 Registration date: 2009-05-14

It just feels that a lot of christian bands can be really good in one aspect, yet be completely terrible in others. Another band I just checked out was Temple of Blood....I had never heard them before. They've got some pretty solid riffs, but the production and vocals are horrid. Maybe that's why they're buried in the mix (who knows?). I have yet to see a band for a long time.....that is THE whole package. There's always one thing (or many) that is really very, very bad.

I think the only christian band that has ever had the complete package would have to be Deliverance...great vocals, great riffs, great songwriting, great production etc.

_________________
A Wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, nor is early, he arrives precisely when he means to

angelofdarkness · Number of posts: 557 Age: 32 Registration date: 2009-05-14

On the other hand, there are TONS of secular bands that have the whole package, and then some....

_________________
A Wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins, nor is early, he arrives precisely when he means to

KingsRite · Number of posts: 1544 Age: 39 Registration date: 2008-07-23

I believe Theocracy could stand toe to toe with any secular artist.

I don't think being a christian takes away musical talent.
In fact it should enhance it.

_________________
KingsRite

jksilvi · Number of posts: 22 Registration date: 2009-08-05

Really good band. Mirror of souls is an exelent record

NoahsFaith · Number of posts: 506 Registration date: 2007-04-07

Remember that there is a smaller pool of artists in the Christian realm, so of course there will be as many great bands, but there are quite a few!

I love that CD

_________________
[img:]http://www.createdearthday.com/_borders/banner.gif[/img:]

Master's Apprentice · Number of posts: 828 Age: 37 Registration date: 2009-02-20

I love this band.

I honestly can't fault Mirror Of Souls, I think it is perfect

To each their own...

_________________
"We all like what we like; no condemnation here just because our likes might have some differences" - tohostudios

GODSWIZARD · Play it LOUD!! Number of posts: 17975 Age: 52 Registration date: 2007-01-06

Points:

1. Stevegarveyfan said:

Quote:

Now going to buy their CD.

As TallT said......they have more than one out.

2. AngelOfDarkness......your opinion. Welcome to it. (I'm not being mean--spirited or sarcastic; if I was you'd know it, and I would not even try to convince you of my sincerity) Differing opinions are part and parcel of this *music game*.

3. As far as Christian bands having this, or that, or the other quality......but not having them all.....first, again, that's your opinion.

Second, that is why my Christian CD wing of the vault is immense. "Daddy likes it all."

4. NoahsFaith said:

Quote:

Remember that there is a smaller pool of artists in the Christian realm, so of course there will EDIT: Not be as many great bands, but there are quite a few!

A--Ya' think that little fact may have something to do with it all??

B--Duh.

_________________
"The 'farce' is strong with Sith Lord Obama-Wan." words of Scourge.

"Uh....You can believe me....Uh....because I never lie, and....Uh....Uh....I am always right." words of Sith Lord Obama-Wan.

Daddy likes it all, the DraíodóirDé likes it all

Fundy · Number of posts: 384 Registration date: 2007-04-11

To each their own, as has been said. Mirror Of Souls works for me because of the layered vocals, the style of metal, the production values, the quality of the product as a whole and especially the lyrics. The lyrics are what makes Theocracy (for me) the best metal album I've ever heard. Good topics, written into a tune in thought provoking ways.

Fundy

_________________
My (small) Christian Metal Website
www.bbillett.freeserve.co.uk

Master's Apprentice · Number of posts: 828 Age: 37 Registration date: 2009-02-20

angelofdarkness wrote:

Either way, for a christian band, they might be decent, but they don't hold a candle to the countless other secular bands that do it better.

While we are discussing it, how about a recommended list of these bands/albums AOD?
I like this style of music, and I'm certainly open to picking up other bands that "do it better".
Either way, Mirror Of Souls will always be one of my favourite albums

_________________
"We all like what we like; no condemnation here just because our likes might have some differences" - tohostudios

endlessfuneral2003 · Number of posts: 1480 Registration date: 2007-01-01

Theocracy =

+

_________________
As I breathe anew You are my precious vitality
As I breathe again You are my everlasting source

ENDLESS FUNERAL - A Second Beginning

CD available at http://www.unforsaken.ca/UPOS/main.html
MP3's available at www.soundclick.com/endlessfuneral

woetoyou · Number of posts: 398 Age: 36 Registration date: 2007-04-09

angelofdarkness wrote:

On the other hand, there are TONS of secular bands that have the whole package, and then some....

That may be but none of those secular bands are putting out this caliber of music from their own home studios. They have the backing of record labels and such. And most of the secular bands use a lot of pitch correction when recording. I like the human sound of Matts vocals and not the pitch corrected vocals you hear a lot of on todays music. Matt does everything on his own, well until now since they are signed.

_________________

Awesome Quote by DRReeves " Yet superficial Western Christians are always getting hung up on what Christianity looks like, or sounds like, or dances like. And oddly enough their god appears to be some a capella dork in a three piece suit who's got no rhythm! Please!"

Superjuice · Number of posts: 26 Registration date: 2009-02-09

Temple of Blood wrote:

I don't hear any good guitar riffs in their music, but they certainly sound professionally recorded and played. More power to those who like them, but to me great guitar riffing is a central component of metal music.

Gonna have to concur with this sentiment.

The standard set for the album, Mirror of Souls, on this board is way too high of a bar for the unintiated.

I've given it about 5 listens and *yawn* is my basic response:

chug, chug, chug, chug-a, chug
chug, chug, chug, chug-a, chug
chug, chug, chug, chug-a, chug
chug, chug, chug, chug-a, chug

That is basically the bridge on "Lay the Demon To Rest"

There really is no hook or driving force in the riffs. It's more just a backdrop for the song - not my kinda metal. Some pretty uncreative, un-exploratory guitar leads throughout the entrire cd if you ask me. Solos - meh. The ending in "Martyr" has some of the most stock metal tricks to build a climax I've heard next to Nigel's playing in Spinal Tap.

My basic complaint about this album is that it lacks balls. The singer pretty much sounds like the old lead vocalist for Teramaze, Clinton Johannes, minus the aggression and snarl of that excellent metal-vocalist guy. This is good clean singing and well-hamonized - I am not picky about pitch or being perfectly clean, but he is a good singer just not that appropriate for heavy metal. Throw in some attitude.
Same goes for the tone used for the guitar; clean and lacking attitude.

Drumming: okay, they got a drummer this time around on the sophomore release; good, but what was the point? He has no individual say or expression in the production through his playing. I'm listening to it right now, so I can set my watch to his double bass. You might as well have just gone ahead and used the drum machine again. Less trouble for scheduling.

Plus side: it's a pro polished product, especially for an indie release. Easily understood vocals with excellent, edifying lyrics. The lyrics really are the main focus here - very encouraging stuff for the mature Christian. Not a bad traditional evangelical church service really.

Whilst not a terrible album by any means - it just won't live up to the towering heights you guys have put it up on (no fault of the band). This is the most over-hyped album I've seen on Christian music forums ever!! And I've been around. Approximately over 10 years of joining music message boards. I was POD_fan here before and used that name on the Tourni boards before they went down way way back (remember Chris, Big Daddy Smooth, Krail McBean, and the bass player for Betrayal?). I was yeti_dude on the P.O.D. forums and probably used that on the Tourniquet realm as well as other names like my current one, as well as a lurker on the Living Sac boards. So I've been around and, man, you guys have shot the expectations for this album to an unattainable stratoshpere.

I'd like to think I haven't been jaded by bands like Dream Theater, Circus Maximus, Antithesis, Annihilator, but I'm loving the new Narnia release, Divinfire, and every other Christian metal band I've liked from the past. So, really, I don't think I've become too discriminating.

BackFromTheDawn · Number of posts: 4617 Age: 23 Registration date: 2007-05-19

I think if that's happened it's because people are genuinely excited about the product. I'm careful not to get my expectations too high and I generally try to appreciate an album on an individual level (now, anyway). What it is "objectively" is often overlooked by feelings it elicits in people.

And this is something I've said a lot, but my friends who aren't big fans of metal love this CD. Maybe that is a testament to what you and ToB are talking about, Superjuice. Or maybe it's a testament to the fact that this group has a lot of potential. Maybe the entire musical package is an objectively qualified symphony of standards. But I think the real strength lies in it's melodicism and potential of ministry (I certainly think it's one of the best examples that Christian music can offer).

Is the album over-hyped? Possibly. Will it hurt future releases? Sure, but it's not like that sort of thing has never happened. Will they top this? Absolutely. A band's potential increases as they grow together. Hopefully, their music will grow as their chemistry as a full unit developed.

And I'll say it one more time: I love this album.

_________________
"He had discovered Time and Death and God"-Aldous Huxley

Jessrox · Number of posts: 212 Age: 39 Registration date: 2009-09-25

Mirror of souls is top of the line prog. metal, christian or secular! Laying the demon to rest is off the chain! angelofdarkness you must have bumped your head before you listened to them. no offense. but you are by far the first person i have heard who has had anything negative to say about Theocracy. TRIPPIN DAWG.

Master's Apprentice · Number of posts: 828 Age: 37 Registration date: 2009-02-20

Jessrox wrote:

Mirror of souls is top of the line prog. metal, christian or secular! Laying the demon to rest is off the chain!

I agree 100%

Their songs are excellent

_________________
"We all like what we like; no condemnation here just because our likes might have some differences" - tohostudios

endlessfuneral2003 · Number of posts: 1480 Registration date: 2007-01-01

I am going to listening to Theocracy in honor of this thread.

_________________
As I breathe anew You are my precious vitality
As I breathe again You are my everlasting source

ENDLESS FUNERAL - A Second Beginning

CD available at http://www.unforsaken.ca/UPOS/main.html
MP3's available at www.soundclick.com/endlessfuneral

endlessfuneral2003 · Number of posts: 1480 Registration date: 2007-01-01

In fact, I might add that Martyr is my #1 song played at the gym. I always skip just after 3 mins cause I love the middle.

Always gets me pumped.

_________________
As I breathe anew You are my precious vitality
As I breathe again You are my everlasting source

ENDLESS FUNERAL - A Second Beginning

CD available at http://www.unforsaken.ca/UPOS/main.html
MP3's available at www.soundclick.com/endlessfuneral

jerseyultifan+ · Number of posts: 69 Age: 45 Registration date: 2009-10-22

"on eagles wings" has become my life song since i first heard it! "bethlehem" is a song that begs to be blasted along with my regular christmas favorites(hint to pastor brad!lol!)and "laying the demon to rest" is a constant reminder of how easily we all can fall i love the line"when my sword has broken off in my hand,father help me to stand"!! love the harmonies and metal!! great job,theocracy "mirror of souls" is a winner in my book!!