Babylon Mystery Orchestra
Axis of Evil
Review by Gary Hill
This is really an interesting CD. The musical blend of dark gothic textures and metallic elements alongside some progressive rock sounds is one that works quite well. There’s not a weak song on the disc. If I had one complaint, though, it’s the vocals they are pretty much all delivered in a sort of distorted, spoken, growled kind of way. It’s interesting but could use a little variety. Still, there’s more than enough changeups in the music to make up for this short coming.
Looking to the lyrical structure it’s a bit of a mystery. The lyrics all seem to present a dark and brutal look at the world we live in. Much of it comes from religious points of view, but from varying ones. Either it’s Sidney Allen Johnson’s (he’s the one man responsible for every sound on the CD) way of making us look at the world through different eyes in a cynical sense or he really believes this. My guess is, it’s the first one because much of the CD seems to present conflicting viewpoints. Either way it’s something that’s sure to offend those who are looking for something to get ticked about. For the rest of it, it’s a thought provoking experience. This is an unusual album with few comparisons realistically to be made. It’s also a great disc.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2008 Volume 5 at lulu.com/strangesound.
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