Theocracy is a Christian progressive power metal band founded in 2002 by Matt Smith of Athens, Georgia. The group originally started out as a one man project and all the instruments and vocals done on the debut album Theocracy were performed by Smith. The current lineup includes Smith along with Shawn Benson, Jonathan Hinds, Jared Oldham, and Val Allen Wood. Musically, the band mixes the power metal style of Edguy, Iced Earth, and Helloween with progressive influences from bands such as Dream Theater, Symphony X, Kansas and Rush.