Talking with . . . Babylon Mystery Orchestra
Interviewed 8/23/2003 by Brett VanPut
Interview with Sidney Allen Johnson
The band Babylon Mystery Orchestra is the solo project of Sidney Allen Johnson, a multi talented man who knows what he wants to say and how to say it. The debut full length is a concept album going by the name of Divine Right of Kings. Sidney is a religious man, yet he knows and understands his religion and isn't afraid to say things most bands shy away from. The music contained on this disc is more in lines with the symphonic gothic metal scene associated with European bands like Tiamat and Therion. Here is a thought provoking interview with Sidney.
Tell me about the origins of Babylon Mystery Orchestra.
Babylon Mystery Orchestra pretty much came into existence as a name in early 2002. The concept of trying to marry serious subject matter to a gothic style of music has been something I've wanted to do for at least a few years before that. Now the main themes to the music have been around for me even longer. The subject of Divine Right Of Kings is America in Biblical prophecy. I really came to believe this is likely true about ten years ago. The second c.d. is halfway finished. Its subject will be the origins of music particularly rock music. I was first enlightened that Rock and roll was thousands of years old in 1984. Strangely enough at one of those seminars where they tell you KISS stands for Knights In Satan's Service. Though I didn't think much of the idea then. So in a way Babylon Mystery Orchestra has been brewing a long time.
Is this basically a solo project? Do you find it difficult to find people with similar ideas or is it just easier to work alone?
At the moment it is a solo project, and I will be entirely comfortable if it always is. However I would like to have a band that could tour and promote it. I won't let that be a deterrant to producing new music. It is always difficult to find people to take a risk and play music that isn't particularly trendy. This being Alabama, there aren't a lot of people familiar with the more gothic styled heavy music. Musician's around here are all too comfortable with cover bands or chasing current trends. As far as the themes behind the lyrics, it is easier to make music about religion and politics when you are alone. The whole idea about Babylon Mystery Orchestra is to take on real subjects that other bands wouldn't dare. It should always get a reaction. And my point of view isn't going to be shared by the majority. Particularly in the world of metal. But I listen to a lot of music that is about things I don't agree with. I think its better if there are people willing to challenge their audiences with a real and commited viewpoint. Fact is most musician's around here wouldn't take that risk.
I've read your lyrics and some interviews and find your viewpoints very interesting and provocative- when re-reading the Bible what mental approach did you take?
First let me say I grew up in the church. I was there every Sunday until I went to college. So I have a firm foundation in the Southern Baptist point of view. But I also grew up listening to The metal of the time: KISS, Priest, Rainbow etc. So when I moved away I went straight into the world of rock and roll. That doesn't mean I discarded any beliefs in Biblical things. I just wasn't pursuing such things. Now when you go to church and Sunday School they pretty much guide you in how you interpret the Bible. This can be harmless in some ways. Some think salvation and redemption are as simple as they seem. However, KISS fan that I am, I have always been attracted to the elements of God that revolve around his Power. Prophecy has always been important to me. It would be about ten years later that I would take it upon myself to start reading the Bible again. This time without going to any church and a good bit removed from the teaching I had. I took the unique approach of reading The Revelation first and then Genesis. Skipping around rather than taking it in the order it is written. It reaffirmed most of my original teaching. But I found myself getting right back into a full fledged interest in Prophecy. It just seemed that there was so much there that suddenly seemed obvious. Things that The Churches either ignore don't teach or flat out mislead others about. There is more than I can get into, however the Divine Right Of Kings c.d. is the result of some of it. NO church teaches that America could possibly be MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT. I have discovered that a lot of others out there who seriously study such things believe America is this place. I made this record because I believe it most likely is America. The Churches are in the business of selling good news and comfort. Unfortunately thats not the predominant message of the Bible. If you pay close attention to the early portion of the Revelation. It's a pretty obvious warning that Churches would inevitably become the focus of spiritual attack and would be misteaching their flocks. It makes perfect sense. If you were the devil. Where would you go to capture your souls? He already posseses the destiny of everyone at the Vital Remains concert. No, He's been going to church for the last 2000 years. And now he's running most of them. Just like The Bible said it would be. And that is why EVERY Church teaches that their OWN brand of Christianity is the true and faithful one and Biblical prophecy is always about someone else. Somewhere else. Satan is a brilliant angel isn't he?
I noticed you encourage reading the Bible with an open mind- this must be difficult because most people will have a feeling which is pro/ or anti- do you think many people are simply unable to overlook preconceived prejudices or am I just underestimating the general public?
The truth is, if you read the Bible with the attitude that it is all nonsense then that is all you will get from it. And people are products of their upbringing. You will inherit the disbelief of your ancestors if that is how you are raised. That's actually a very Biblical statement. Therefore I can only tell someone with a predisposition to disbelieve to try to set that aside. You have to read it as though it is the word of God. In the world of Heavy metal I know that will most often fall on deaf or hostile ears. Just ask yourself this question. In the year AD33 who was the emperor of Rome? At the time, the most powerful man on earth. Most of the people reading this won't know. Yet all of you heard of this insignificant carpenter who walked around claiming to be the son of God. That shouldn't have happened. Yet everyone does know the name of Jesus. How many of you knew the name of the emperor was Tiberius? So everyone who knows the name of Jesus has actually been visited by a divine touch from the hand of God. Take that thought with you when you open your Bible.
What are your feelings about the current situation with Iraq? Is it really about "Freedom" and "safety"?
No. Simply put. We needed to whip somebody for 9/11. Bombing Afghanistan and driving that government out didn't square it with us. It was the wrong time for Saddam to show some attitude. But in the long run this isn't going to be good for us. These people have been living under the thumbs of kings and dictators since the beginning of human history. They will not follow a representative form of government. It's noble to try and offer it to them. But in the end we can only force it at the point of a gun. When the guns leave so will their freedoms.
Do you think it's important to look to past events to help make the future a better place?
It's important to look to the past and to learn from it, but I think it is very presumptuous to conclude that it is neccessarily our job to make the world a "Better" place. More often than not we are making it worse in the name of improvement or enlightenment. Often the lesson the past will teach is that it is best to leave things alone and not meddle in the natural affairs of nature or societies. Sometimes people, places and things are meant to become extinct. Iraq is a perfect example. They will never be a western style democracy unless they are a western Colony. The Israel/Palestine one is another. Those societies have hated each other since the days of Jacob and Esau. They will never live in peace together.
Your musical style is actually not typical for an American artist- are you influenced by the gothic/ symphonic metal scene in Europe?
Absolutely. That's the music I have been listening to the most the last few years. It's actually the direction I had hoped more bands would have turned to in metal's evolution. I really liked the Kiss album The Elder which was an unusual album for them but showed them doing some of that kind of thing way back then. The symphonic aspect of Manowar has always appealed to me. I think Therion is probably making the best music in the world these days. I really like their approach. Most of the gothic bands tend to be European, but for the last 10 or 12 years the American music scene has been awful. Nirvana seemed to ruin everything and it hasn't recovered.
With your band is the lyrical message more important with the music as an accompanyment- or do you place equal value on the lyrics, vocals and music?
Simply put I believe that if you have vocals, then that is the lead instrument and it needs to get a maximum amount of attention. I am very tired of bands with poor or overused ideas hiding behind overplayed instrumentation. If the singer is singing the musicians should be playing in support. Not competing with busy riffing. If you need all that then don't sing. There is an overwhelming amount of metal lyrics that just tread over the same territory often reaffirming what were bad ideas in the first place. Music doesn't have to be serious. I love Kiss. Nothing serious about songs like "Love Gun" or "Mr. Speed." Often times in metal people try to look and act like their mad all the time for all the same reasons. With Babylon Mystery Orchestra the lyrics provide the personality for everthing about the music. I want to write about things that other people won't. The music that accompanies it is extremely important. I believe they must match.
What ideas do you have for future recordings?
The second c.d. is halfway finished now. It will be about the true origins of music. It will show that the current state of music in our world is not an accident but a design. The ultimate conspiracy theory perhaps. It's not modern music at all. I also know the direction for the third c.d. It may prove to be the most venomous record ever made. I gave a few hints to the idea in question #3. For the most part I see Babylon Mystery Orchestra staying with apocalyptic themes. At least through the first three records. I might then do a record that isn't conceptual. But I like records that tie all the songs together into one big storyline.
Final comments?
I want to thank you for asking these questions. I read a lot of interviews with a lot of musicians and I realize my point of view is definitely in the minority in the world of heavy metal. So be it. I like it that way. When you have real messages in this world there will always be plenty of people against you. On the other hand it keeps things from being boring. I think there is plenty of room for Babylon Mystery Orchestra in the metal world. The subject matter of these records cannot go out of date until time itself ends.
Discography:
2003... Divine Right Of Kings
Current line-up:
Sidney Allen Johnson
Babylon Mystery Orchestra
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