THEOCRACY-Mirror Of Souls

Zod, I'm curious. Are you implying that Theocracy's lyrics aren't good quality, simply because Matt is up front about believing in Christ?
No. I feel Matt's lyrics are average and Nick's are exceptional. I'd put Nick on par with Warrel (Nevermore), Paul (Novembers Doom) and Mikael (Opeth) as the best lyricists in Metal.

Zod
 
No. I feel Matt's lyrics are average and Nick's are exceptional. I'd put Nick on par with Warrel (Nevermore), Paul (Novembers Doom) and Mikael (Opeth) as the best lyricists in Metal.

Seconded. Matt should have no shame at all in not being on par with Nick, as Nick is in the very elite tier of metal lyricists. The same would hold true for many of the other "giants" of the genre also, as Nick blows 99% of them away.
 
If the lyrics are good I don't care. I mean, I like spooky shit too, I remember getting off to old King Diamond cds when I was everything horror and occult related. But as long as the words are sincere, and don't tell me that I'm a douche that's on a fast track to hell, Christian lyrics are ok to me. You know, as long as I don't feel like I'm being told I'm wrong, and this is the right way to go or else! yeah. Shit man, some very interesting songs that I love are religiously based. Iced Earth with Melancholy. Edguy and Theater Of Salvation Or all the crazy stuff in Revelations.
 
I think Matt's lyrics are tame in comparison to 80's Christian metal. I was involved with that scene for many years and it just got ridiculous and uncreative. I personally feel that Theocracy has done it properly and without all the uber-cheese of old. If you feel it, you should write it. I do understand why General zod would feel the way he does though, as overly zealous preachy lyrics grind my gears.so we'll just agree to disagree on Theocracy.:)
 
I had the unmastered version for a while that I got from Matt some time ago, and I must say, I was blown away by it. The mastered version blows THAT version away. I do believe that this one is leaps and bounds over the first album and I LOVED the first album. Matt, your labor of love has greatly paid off on this album, you busted your ass and put out damn near a masterpiece.
 
This album is freakin' great! I can't think of anything off the album I don't like. The lyrics don't bother me at all & I'm not christian but I very much respect Matt's views.
 
I think Matt's lyrics are tame in comparison to 80's Christian metal. I was involved with that scene for many years and it just got ridiculous and uncreative

I don't know if they are more tame, in fact I think they are more intensely religious than what the 80s bands were putting out. But I do agree that the 80s scene got uncreative. Stryper and White Cross and all those were just repeating the same concepts over and over, either "Time to give God all the glory" or "accept God now, tomorrow's too late". Theocracy actually gets into specific issues of faith and human weakness and that's universal even if you aren't a Christian.
 
I think that both the music and the lyrics are very well done on this album, and Matt's vocals have never sounded better! This album contains some of the classic elements of great bands such as Stryper, Iron Maiden, and Savatage. Brilliant power metal! I feel blessed every time I hear this CD!
 
Back to the original topic at hand: the new Theocracy!!!

Listened to it a couple times now, and it is another quality slab of music! I was a HUGE fan of the original release, even using programmed drums and all, so the bar was pretty high to start with for this album. The melodies are structured very similar to the debut, with the music being a bit heavier, especially in the early parts of the album. The opus "Mirror of Souls" has some very killer parts to it, and really never drags at any point, but will take a few more spins to absorb.

Great stuff!!!
I loved their S/T debut disc (10/10), but this album definitely surpassed it!:worship:rock::kickass:
 
I think Matt's lyrics are tame in comparison to 80's Christian metal. I was involved with that scene for many years and it just got ridiculous and uncreative

I don't know if they are more tame, in fact I think they are more intensely religious than what the 80s bands were putting out. But I do agree that the 80s scene got uncreative. Stryper and White Cross and all those were just repeating the same concepts over and over, either "Time to give God all the glory" or "accept God now, tomorrow's too late". Theocracy actually gets into specific issues of faith and human weakness and that's universal even if you aren't a Christian.


Maybe not so much more religous, but how about mature?He has a well balanced and very intellectual look at the world and how his faith affects his life. I agree that his lyrics are unmistakingly Christian, but more akin to C.S. Lewis as opposed to Billy Graham.
 
Instead of following the trend of the week (e.g. Christian Black Metal, Christian Death Metal) why don't these bands develop their own sound, their own identity? I guess religion has a tendency to hinder creativity.
 
Instead of following the trend of the week (e.g. Christian Black Metal, Christian Death Metal) why don't these bands develop their own sound, their own identity? I guess religion has a tendency to hinder creativity.
Agreed.

The whole idea is so absurd. Black Metal can't be separated from its anti-Christian roots.

Zod
 
Instead of following the trend of the week (e.g. Christian Black Metal, Christian Death Metal) why don't these bands develop their own sound, their own identity? I guess religion has a tendency to hinder creativity.

Hal, please clear this statement up for me, because I'm not following what you're saying. Does singing about "Satanism" make you more creative than singing about Christ? Please enlighten me...

~Brian~
 
Agreed.

The whole idea is so absurd. Black Metal can't be separated from its anti-Christian roots.

Zod

You're wrong. Black Metal is a style of music. Yes, some of these black metal guys claim to live out their views. With that said, if an average person claims to practice "Satanism" is that person considered "black metal" automatically, eventhough they might not even like metal music of any type? :lol:

~Brian~
 
Hal, please clear this statement up for me, because I'm not following what you're saying. Does singing about "Satanism" make you more creative than singing about Christ? Please enlighten me...

~Brian~

Satanism and christianity are two sides of the same coin. That statement was about religion, not christianity specifically. For that matter, have you ever heard of a muslim artist or a muslim band?