Theocracy: A Spiritual Revival

If you are a constant reader of this column, you know that I do not write much about ‘Christian Rock’ bands…however I’ve always been a fan of Stryper and now, thanks to a recent assignment from my Editor at Fireworks Magazine, Theocracy is top of mind!  Now a group, Theocracy started out back in 2002 as a one man operation.  Certainly, a visionary man, and one with a very strong sense of spiritualness.  Matt Smith recorded the debut album all on his own!  Literally!  All instruments and vocals were done by him!  The debut is an amazing feat.  One can imagine the hard work that went in to the recording of this record, being that Matt’s music style is pure Power-Symphonic Metal!  Although this Artist hails from the southern state of Georgia, his influences are from the heart of European symphonic metal, and his messages are not the run-of-the-mill modern day Christian uttering’s.  No, Matt Smith has a true Spiritual connection and he is not afraid of tackling what could be controversial subjects, putting them to music and creating Masterpieces! 

The self-titled debut has been out-of-print for a long time, but now his label, Ulterium, is just about to re-issue the release and give it another shot!  Now, since the debut came out in 2002, Matt has expanded the project of Theocracy and it now stands as a full band.  Theocracy consists of Matt on Lead Vocals and Keyboards, with Jonathan Hinds on Guitar, Shawn Benson on Drums, Jared Oldman on Bass, and Van Allen Wood on Guitar.  To date, the group have two albums under their belt-“Mirror Of Souls” and their latest, released in 2011-“As The World Bleeds”.  So important is the group’s  self-titled debut, showcasing the many Talents of Matt Smith-that Ulterium decided it was time for more to hear just how good this Artist is.  The group are preparing another release and tour—and now that Theocracy are a full functioning creative unit—all that splendid music on the very first record can be performed live!  Theocracy are worth seeing, and experiencing both their music and their message!

 

 

One of the musical genres that Europe is famous for is Neoclassic Power Metal…and one of the groups’ in this spectrum that reached legendary status was “Ring Of Fire”.  The group is back from a nine year silence!  A virtual Supergroup of this style of Rock, “Ring Of Fire” will release their fourth album in early 2014.  The group, made up of former members of Yngwie Malmsteen’s band, Royal Hunt and the Trans Siberian Orchestra, release “Battle Of Leningrad”—based upon a true story of the siege of Leningrad during the Second World War.  The album, a powerful Rock-Opera, which will take the listener through this dark period of the WWII siege with some of Ring Of Fire’s most exacting performances!  The siege of Leningrad is not a well known story; it involved millions and lasted for about nine hundred days.  The strength and resilience of the citizens of this world renowned city is the focus on Ring Of Fire’s fourth release.  “Battle Of Leningrad” is an epic achievement, from one of the top Neoclassical Metal bands around.

 

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Upcoming Club/Concert Highlights:

The Blue Gator:    Pappa Dawg:   Nov. 22^nd  & 23^rd   Orio:   Nov. 28^th   Papa Wheely:  Nov. 29^th & Nov. 30^th  Zamboni Brothers:  Dec. 5^th

Dream Café:  Barney Bentall:  Dec. 6^th   Offramp:  Dec. 7^th

The Green: (Vernon)-   Sunday Night Jams-featuring  GTR   

The Minstrel Café:  My Kind Of Karma:  Nov. 23^rd   Jane Eamon:   Nov. 26^th   The Malarkeys:   Nov. 28^th  Zappacosta:  Dec. 3^rd & 4^th

On The Rocks Pub & Grill (Kamloops):   Prism:   Dec. 7^th 

Notable Concerts:  

Fields Of Green-Appearances:   Willow Park Church-November  9^th  with:  Bear Meets World   Fernando’s Pub-November 13^th  with  Unwed Mother’s    Flashbacks Nightclub-November 22^nd  with The Boom Booms    Whiski Jack’s Pub-December 1^st  with  The Odds…Kinship…Jimmy LeGuilloux Band…Young ‘Uns & Zamboni Brothers     Riley’s Pub-December 6^th with Prism & the Jimmy LeGuilloux Band   

Prospera Place:   Blue Rodeo:   January 6^th/2014

Kelowna Community Theatre:  The Johnny Clegg Band:  April 27^th 

South Okanagan Events Centre (Penticton):       Matthew Good:   November 22^nd    The Band Perry:  January 9^th-2014   Barenaked Ladies:   January 19^th   Kenny Rogers:  February 27^th 

Interior Savings Centre (Kamloops):  George Thorogood & The Destroyers:   May 1^st 2014

 

                 …if you have a musical story or news and would like me to write something… drop me a line at:  [email protected]  and let’s celebrate Kelowna’s rich and varied music community together!!.....

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.