Metal Bear Reviews: Theocracy - As The World Bleeds

I promised to write reviews on this blog, this is the first!

As some of you will know, Theocracy released their eagerly awaited album 'As The World Bleeds' a few weeks ago and having played it to death on Spotify I thought I would share with you a few thoughts I had. This is one of those albums that had been eagerly anticipated for a fair bit of time from Theocracy fans all over the globe, with their previous album 'Mirror of Souls' being released in 2008 to critical acclaim, everyone was rather excited to see what Matt Smith and co had to offer this time round. The reactions to the single '30 Pieces of Silver' were unsurprising, people were now just hoping desperately that this wasn't just a fluke and that once again Theocracy would exceed expectations. For me, 'As The World Bleeds' had a lot to live up to; 'Mirror of Souls' was one of my favourite albums in the 'clean-vocals metal' department ever since I reviewed it back in 2009 for Cross Rhythms (10/10).

This latest release did not disappoint, from the outset I was hooked. I remember sitting in the Moorlands library on the day it was released and not quite knowing what to do first, pause it after opening track 'I Am' and run to tell everyone I knew how glorious it was or keep listening. I decided on a mixture of the two, I told the five other people using the study carells and kept going. Actually that's a lie, I listened to the first track again.

Opening with 'I Am', Theocracy state their case both musically and lyrically from the outset. This track is close to progressive power-metal perfection, at least it is in my book. At precisely 11 minutes long it is a bold move to place the longest track at the beginning but it works. Holding my attention throughout I just had to go back over it; with it's epic build, driving rhythms, powerful melodies and soaring, incredibly emotive vocals there is virtually nothing I can fault. It is clear that the band gel beautifully; being the first Theocracy album using a full band on the studio recording ('Theocracy' was entirely Matt Smith's creation and 'Mirror of Souls' only brought in a bass player and drummer) the heart which unites them is evident. Blistering solos and some quirky little progressive sections are the icing on the cake to this brilliant album opener.

Other noteworthy songs include 'Nailed' where they continue to demonstrate their superb songwriting ability. You know you're going to divide a Christian audience when you write a song about the Reformation (the YouTube comments prove this...) but even if you disagree with the theology behind it you cannot fault it's musicality or its epic vocal melody; I even find myself singing 'Nail it to the doooooooooooooorrrrr!!!!' at random occasions! 'The Gift of Music' changes the dynamic tone significantly while refusing to detract from the overall content of the album. However, there is one heck of a solo here with such simple melody and such brilliant control that I cannot help but smile when I hear it. 'Altar to the Unknown God' has some sterling guitar work and is another one of those tracks that you just want to rewind and listen to over and over again.

Something I've spoken little about is Matt Smith's singing on this album, that's because there's little that needs saying. Once again he puts in a stunning performance with some (worryingly) high vocal parts and a voice that portrays the passion and emotion which is explicitly and, as a result of his exocution, implicity present in the music. There are some great choral parts as well which truly kick the album into the next gear, and from what I know Matt performed them all himself. Unsurprisingly, this is a brilliantly produced album. Matt seems to be something of a perfectionist in this regard, everything is just so tight that I dread to think how many takes it took and, as a result, how many tracks he had to sift through. The musicianship on this album is clearly top notch though, I mean these guys can really play. Too often with metal that is this melodic I think, '........meh.' but never with this album, while some of the melodies feel familiar I don't find myself wanting to turn it off.

 Overall this is a fantastic album, infact I wouldn't be surprised if in 10 years time people are pointing to 'As The World Bleeds' and saying, 'See kids, THIS is how it is done!'. The main reason I have chosen this as the first of my Metal Bear Reviews is that it is also my favourite album to be released in 2011 and is a contender for favourite album of the Moorlands era. If any of you care about my opinion this is a stunning release, well worth buying. It isn't only for prog-power metal fans and it isn't only for metallers either, the melodies will leave you smiling and the epic nature will leave you wanting to throw your fists into the area and screech along as we all wish we could. I really think that if you are serious about your music and you don't mind something a little heavier than you might listen to, if you don't think this is for you just give it a shot.

In conclusion I feel it is fitting that an album which I (and many I know) consider to be both a masterpiece and a gift to their music collection contains a song with the lyrics:

Music is Your masterpiece, Your signature and smile
The glorious crown jewel of all Creation
Gave a voice and sense of wonder to this lonely child
Whose melodies ring forth Your coronation now

Buy it.

Metal Bear

5/5

Theocracy - Nailed

An Essay To Write...

As I sit here in the library at Moorlands my head is swimming with information and jobs to do: 

• I need to get this essay done
• No-one has emailed back regarding my dissertation research
• I've got to do some reading for block placement
• I need to run through the Bloodwork songs before Saturday's practice
• Oh dear, I need to do some Christmas shopping!
• My house isn't finished on Minecraft... I'll find time for that later

I have this really naff habit of placing my personal wellbeing far and beyond below everything else, I know that the more time I spend in quiet meditation and reflection the more focussed my mind, the more still my spirit and the greater the revelation. As it has been said, 'Be still and know that I am God', how often as busy Christians with busy lives do we forget that? How often as Bible college students do we forget to do that?

I have often fallen into the trap of assuming that studying the Reformers, writing an essay, because it is, in general terms, worship that it counts... It doesn't if it isn't done with the right heart. Our heart position on these sorts of things is absolutely crucial, this is something I picked up when I was at Nexus, something I was convinced I would remain true to. I am ashamed to admit that I've been found lacking recently. 

I have started praying more though, this has resulted in conviction, in a hunger and a thirst for scripture. I am reminded of this verse, 'I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.' (Galatians 2.20). Oft cited by many folk it pretty much sums up where I'm at right now and how I am approaching these next few months (with, of course, a view to carry on!!). When I am in Chesterfield on block placement a significant part of what I do will be interacting with and spending time with strangers, people like myself who feel ostracised and who are hurting and broken. If you know me at all you will know that I suck at things like that, however as I reflect on and pray over this Galatians passage there is a simple yet radical truth which comes to me:

I have nothing to be ashamed of.

Simple I know right? There is so much in there though, so many implications. I am not for one second saying that I am ashamed of what Christ has done in me or that I am unwilling to speak His name. I am saying that through all my fears and failures, through all my insecurities it should be this truth that is manifested, not the bold faced lies that I am inadequate to carry out the task which is laid before me by God. I have no idea what that is, and to be perfectly honest with you I'm terrified. 

I don't see comfort, I don't see acceptance, I see challenge and I see struggle. I see conviction, I see joy, I see GLORY being brought to the KING OF KINGS, I see knees bowed before Him in adoration, I see hearts open to the LORD OF LORDS, I see weeping with joy, I see broken lives MADE NEW, I see men and women who were once stuck in a lukewarm hovel being SET ON FIRE, I see new leaders being raised up, I see bold and prophetic declarations over each other, I see people FORSAKING SIN for the sake of the Gospel, I see people loving EVERYONE, I hear the screams and the cries of the justified rising up, I see a SPIRITUAL ARMY of the living, holy God, I see relationships, I see people stepping forward into new and exciting places, I SEE DISCIPLES WHO ARE LIVING THEIR LIVES TRANSPARENTALLY, IN FULL VIEW OF THOSE AROUND THEM, I SEE CHRIST BEING GLORIFIED THROUGH THE SIMPLE SERVICE AND WORDS OF THOSE DISCIPLES, NOT BEING SOLD THROUGH THE COMMERCIALISATION OF THE CHURCH.

For now I leave you with love,

The Rambler

What A Curious Term...

I was sat playing my bass earlier today and I suddenly remembered I hadn't posted a blog for a good few months, to be honest I felt pretty awful. I had promised myself that I would post regularly and it just didn't happen, primarily because I have been fairly busy. I've got a few thoughts that will be spread across a few posts in the coming days but for now I want to discuss the last few days just briefly...

We are finished for the term here at Moorlands (I still have an essay to write, but that is a subject for another post!) and it went out with quite a bang: the Moorlands Variety Show! Involving Bhangra dancing, a rather disturbing video created by myself and a very good friend of mine Chris, some great music and to top it all off a marriage proposal (congratulations to James and J!!). However, the following morning I cleared off, skipping out on the final chapel of the year and the end of term breakfast, to Chesterfield to meet Mark Broomhead and his wife Sarah, founders of The Order of the Black Sheep (OBS). I will be on a placement with them for five weeks from early January  and I am very much looking forward to getting involved up there with the amazing work they're doing.

One of my greatest 'smile moments' this term must have been the first meeting of the Moorlands Metal Cell. We are a small group of people, all from different backgrounds but all of us have a love for various kinds of metal. After I got back home from Nordicfest I found myself with a huge burden for the folk in college who had been alone for most of their church lives in their love for the extreme end of music. I have struggled in the past, perhaps under the radar, with opening up and being honest with people about how much I love extreme music. There seems to be a culture of almost apologising for liking it, I suppose I need to get over it but it is rather difficult.

'So what sort of music are you into?'

'Well, um, I like heavy music... But I also like lots of other things like Justin Timberlake!!!!'

Why not just say, 'I like extreme metal.' then have the other person pull a weird face, question your sanity and edge slowly away? I think like many Christian metallers I have this inherent desire to be accepted by the church and don't get me wrong it is better than it was 10 or 20 years ago, but there still seems to be a shying away from this 'black sheep' culture. We seem to be the ones who are just too far gone, we are the ones who will laugh off the jokes about our 'Satan music' or the 'Satan worshipping festivals' and who totally find them hilarious. How would a standard, evangelical Bible College Christian feel if I started knocking 'worship music'? I've tried it, it does not go down well.

 

Sometimes I wish people could listen to and acknowledge the power that comes with metal, you have this strange sort of dichotomy now: wishy washy, ambiguous 'worship music' which is as dull as dull can be VS powerful, declarative, unashamed metal of all genres which sounds like it speaks. I used to think it was my calling to turn every Christian into a metalhead but it just will never work, people are too safe within the confines of their bubble and if anything tries to burst it, well, decry it as 'noise'. I've talked about this before, I don't care if someone dislikes it just don't try to tell me I should also dislike it.

Metallers seem to be one of the most misaligned groups in the Church today, they are often left to their own devices, it is assumed that they will just band together and be a little clique. Now, while it is important to encourage each other with mutual passions, it is just as important to accept them into the body. I've experienced this to some degree with my current church (more about them in a later post!!) but there is still this weird sort of, 'leave him to his own devices, he'll work himself out!' vibe. When metal is such a part of me that I find it hard to have a conversation without working it in (heck, whenever I preach I end up quoting a song!) why can that not be accepted just as much as musicals, Switchfoot, sports, dancing or film? Why should it always be questioned/mocked/joked about?

Why is it that metallers tend to be the quiet ones who sit at the back of church? I'll tell you, it's often because they simply don't feel welcome. No matter whether or not you would accept them or not experience has often shown that they just cannot broach the subject of metal, it has shown them that people will judge them based on what they see (it still happens), not what they experience.

Anyway, this post has become a fairly lengthy ramble about something it wasn't meant to be about so I will go to sleep now. I will be posting probably daily for the next couple of weeks with thoughts, poems etc.

Goodnight friends, and don't take this as a pity post, take it as a truth post.

For now, I leave you with love (and one of my favourite songs at the moment!),

The_Rambler

Oh Sleeper - The New Breed