Vera: I do like musicians who do not mince matters and this surely applies to Babylon Mystery Orchestra. It is not a multi-headed orchestra but the vehicle of the American Jack-of-all-trades Sidney Allen Johnson. He released three albums before that, being evidence of an explicit Christian vision, but always with a criticizing view on the world around him. ‘Axis Of Evil’ is the album where Babylon Mystery Orchestra has been heading for all the time. He regrets the lack of taking any risks from the majority of artists and illustrates this by saying that one of the basics of the American state happens to be freedom of speech. This album is very provocative and like he calls it “politically incorrect”. A brave statement, though I should not risk my life for it.
Mark you, this is not an accusation against Muslims; but it reacts against muslim-fundamentalists and terrorists who take the life of innocent people in the name of their religion. ‘Axis Of Evil’ happens to be an elocutionary pamphlet more than a sung album. Every song is narrated by Sidney with a low, dark voice. Next to every lyric we can find some quotations of the Bible and the Koran, furthermore quotations of the American president, muslim-terrorists, Churchill, and so on. Musically Sidney seems to be influenced by he sound of Tiamat at the times of ‘Clouds’ and ‘Wild Honey’. But the production is minor (quite muffled) and he repeats the same trick over and over again. We may enjoy a fine guitar solo in every song, but if you listen to the album at a stretch jerk, the structure of songs is quite predictable. Yet the music is quite beautiful and compelling from time to time. It is an obstinate, special album released without any other interference.
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