Babylon
Mystery Orchestra
Behind The Veil ezine has
always awaited with a great anticipation each and every Babylon Mystery
Orchestra interview. Why? The answer to this question is very simple and
lies below... Just read for yourselves, explore this mysterious world and
start thinking some more... Sidney Allen Johnson is definitely one of the
best interlocutors I've come across!
1.HELLO SIDNEY! HOW ARE YOU? “THE GREAT APOSTASY”
IS YOUR THIRD ALBUM. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO COMPLETE IT?
Hi Nikos. I am doing great down here in Greenville
Alabama. Current temperature 100 degrees with typical southern high humidity.
It took about a year and a half to complete the recording of all the songs.
That was about September of 2005. I had decided I would rather put the
CD out after Christmas so I was taking my time about assembling all the
material for the booklet. But I sent the CD to production in January 2006
as I intended. I feel that the way I have been making these records, as
well as the other demands placed on my time, makes it about an 18 month
to 2 year process. If the situation were such that music was my livelihood
I could make them faster but that situation hasn't happened as of yet.
2.ON WHICH PARTS OF YOUR MUSIC DID YOU FOCUS MORE
THIS TIME? WHICH ARE THOSE DETAILS YOU PAID MORE ATTENTION TO?
As always the subjects and themes of the songs
were the primary focus. There was a very definite message meant to be conveyed
with several underlying themes running throughout the length of the record.
I view these records as a whole and not just a collection of songs so what
is being spoken about and the order that the subjects are taken is important
to me. Having said that the music is heavier and more aggressive than the
previous one. At least I think so. But this can once again be attributed
to the neccessity of conveying the messages properly. I don't believe in
making music for no reason. If I didn't have something to say with the
lyrics I wouldn't make records at all. There are enough people out there
doing that.
3.IN MY OPINION THIS TIME YOUR ALBUM HAS A DOOM
METAL ORIENTATION. IT’S MORE MID-TEMPO. DO YOU AGREE? DID YOU CHOOSE THIS
MUSICAL PATH BECAUSE YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD FIT BETTER TO THE CONCEPT ALBUM?
Well I probably would agree that "doom metal"
is a label that some might use to describe it. But I actually think that
would better describe the previous CD "On Earth As It Is In Heaven." But
the music in Babylon Mystery Orchestra is always subserviant to the lyrics.
So whatever you choose to call the music it is I believe neccessary to
properly deliver the message.
I have a hard time knowing just what constitutes
"mid tempo" or fast music anymore. All these pathetic metal bands with
their hyperactive drumming have poisoned the sound of music so much that
what I think is a fast song is a mid tempo one to someone else. I would
say "Pentecost" and "Antichrist Superczar pt 2" are fast songs. They are
as fast as any in the BMO catalog. But nowadays it seems you have to have
a double bass drum pushing 200+ beats per minute to qualify as fast anymore.
In which case BMO will be forever mid tempo. I hate that stuff. It was
cool when bands like Megadeth, Metallica and Anthrax used that style. But
these bands today are weak. They are slaves of the music. They hide the
fact they have no purpose behind the phony speed, and actually have the
audacity to believe they are superior musicians for it. They are most assuredly
not.
4.IN SOME PARTS I’VE ALSO LISTENED TO THE VIOLIN.
DID YOU HAVE ANY GUEST MUSICIAN PLAY THE VIOLIN PARTS? DO YOU PLAN TO EXTEND
ITS USE ON FUTURE ALBUMS OF YOURS?
There have been some use of violin sounds
and other orchestration on all Babylon Mystery Orchestra CD's so far and
that will continue but I feel the next CD will have a lot less of it. So
far I have finished 4 tracks for the next one and the heaviness factor
is increasing. I am starting to think in an even more stripped down and
raw approach, especially considering the focus on the lyrics for this next
one. But there will always be some orchestration added as I think it brings
a little atmosphere and character to the music. I especially thought that
was neccessary on the first 2 BMO CD's.
There are no guest musicians on the CD although
I do give a credit to Anita Tail for some "orchestration." As anyone who
has ever viewed the main BMO website knows, Anita Tail is a very important
contributor to BMO. She inspires "Purrfection" on the CD's.
5.YOUR MUSIC IS SIMPLE AND A BIT ABSTRACTIVE I
CAN SAY. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THESE ARE THE ELEMENTS THAT MAKE BABYLON MYSTERY
ORCHESTRA DISTINGUISH FROM OTHER BANDS?
The songs and their messages are the primary
components of the music and I just don't believe that unneccessary displays
of "musicianship" are all that useful. Making the music sound "complex"
just for the sake of proving you can do it doesn't have any value to me.
More often than not music that is played like that isn't really
complex, it is something simple played too fast to create the false illusion
of complexity. I listen to a lot of bands that everybody says are good
bands, who really play great, and I am ultimately bored with them. If a
plumber came to your house to fix your toilet and layed down 2 miles of
pipe throughout your house, all the other plumbers in the world might claim
him to be a genius for making your excrement travel through all that pipe.
But would YOU call him a genius? No you wouldn't because you didn't need
all that pipe and you would resent the plumber using your house as his
canvas for displaying his pointless artistic ambitions. I look at music
the same way. There reaches a point where the music is not of any value
to anyone who doesn't play it. That is why I believe Heavy Metal is so
pathetic these days. Almost the entire audience is made up of "would be"
musicians. They are the only ones impressed with pointless displays of
"musicianship." To the average non-musician music fan its all useless ornamentation.
They want songs. They want people with something to say. But they don't
need a guitarist or a drummer, and I believe that the vast majority of
the consumers of music actually resent the self indulgent posturing of
all these pseudo super musicians just as you would resent the overeager
plumber and his 2 miles of pipe.
So having said all that, I do believe that
with BMO, the music should be the servant of the message and purpose of
the presentation. There can be solos and other such ornamentation, but
it cannot and should not become the overriding objective. It is often said
that a great communicator is one that conveys his message in as few words
as possible. The same is even more imperative in music I believe. After
all, music is optional entertainment. You don't need nor are you required
to listen to it. So I wouldn't call it "simplicity." I would call it competence.
6.I HAVE THE SENSE THAT THE CONCEPT OF YOUR ALBUM
TURNS AGAINST ORGANIZED RELIGION. CAN YOU TELL US A FEW MORE THINGS ABOUT
THE CONCEPT? WHICH THINGS CREATED YOU THE URGE TO MAKE SUCH A CONCEPT?
The Babylon Mystery Orchestra albums all progress
along a particular line of thinking. To me, one record definitely leads
to the next one. This theme was always going to be the third one just as
the next one was always going to be the fourth. I am thinking I might do
a non conceptual one for the fifth but I have a long time to consider that.
The record definitely is a commentary against
man made interpretations of religion. The concept of organization and delegation
of authority are concepts neccessary for a non supreme being. The record
challenges Christianity as we have come to know it as having been poisoned
by the very forces that it proposes to warn about. Somehow a wolf seems
less dangerous when surrounded by sheep. The Bible clearly warned that
those people who would choose to follow Jesus would be specifically targeted
by the principalities that represent rebellion. Somehow that message doesn't
find its way to the top of the Sunday School list. There is some sort of
belief in the idea of a church building as a holy sanctuary, immune from
satanic attack. In fact a church building merely acts the same way as a
stockade corrals cattle for slaughter. It locates everyone, who Satan is
trying to keep up with, in an easy to find place. And it operates on a
fixed schedule. This is very convenient considering that Satan is neither
omniscient or omnipresent. The seven churches that were issued warnings
at the beginning of Revelation were persecuted churches. They did not meet
in buildings or on a fixed schedule. Yet they were already under the influence
of Satanic infiltration. 2000 years later I think you can see how that
influence has progressed through history. The idea of safety or strength
in numbers is a Satanic lie.
7.YOU CAN CALL IT A DIABOLIC COINCIDENCE, BUT
IN A MAGAZINE HERE IN GREECE I WAS READING AN ARTICLE ABOUT ANTICHRIST.
THE ARTICLE WAS SAYING THAT ANTICHRIST, BEING A GREEK WORD, DOESN’T ONLY
MEAN THE FORCE THAT OPPOSES CHRIST, BUT ALSO THE FORCE THAT REPLACES GOD
HERE ON EARTH. I THINK THAT IT IS OBVIOUS THAT IT REFERS TO THE CHURCH.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT IT?
According to the Bible that is essentially
what the Beast of Revelation is going to do. He will attempt to convince
the corrupted Christian Church that he is Jesus. He will attempt to convince
the Jews he is their messiah. He will attempt to convince Islam that he
is their fullfilled prophecies as well. So it is essential that Satan finds
a way to be running all the religions of the earth in the last days. Since
he created most of them this is no problem. From the beginning of our earth
he has been trying to convince us he is God. If he can control the religion
that is supposed to worship the true God, he can corrupt it. This is no
new trick for him. He had the temple in Jerusalem in the right frame of
mind to execute the son of God 2000 years ago. Why should Christians believe
he would try anything less now? Especially since Jesus warned that it would
happen.
The trouble as I see it is centered around
this idea of a pretribulation rapture of the church. It is an insane idea
that has infested most of them. Protestant or Catholic. The idea that the
church is entitled to be removed from the earth before the great tribulation
and the coronation of the beast (antichrist). This is a dangerous idea
that will have all the churches of the earth unprepared for times they
have been thoroughly warned about. Therefore the churches will line up
to follow this beast and take his eternally condemning mark believing that
it is not happening, and could not be happening, to them. For they shouldn't
be there. It's quite brilliant actually and makes good use of the natural
arrogance of humans to believe they are somehow worthy of some special
reward. The truth is, that because the churches have been corrupted, none
of them are going to be raptured anywhere. The antichrist is their reward
not a rapture.
It is controversial to say such things but
it is what I believe to be true.
8.I HAVE READ THE NEW TESTAMENT AND THE BOOK OF
APOCALYPSE HAS ALWAYS TROUBLED ME, BECAUSE THERE IS A BIG CONTRADICTION
AMONG THE OTHER BOOKS AND THIS ONE. IN MOST TEXTS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
GOD IS PRESENTED AS A MERCIFUL AND FORGIVING ENTITY EVEN FOR THE SINNERS,
BUT IN THE APOCALYPSE HE IS FULL OF VENGEANCE. HE REMINDS ME A LOT OF THE
GOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT… WHICH ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT IT?
It troubles you but it excites me. It makes
perfect sense when you think about it. The sacrifice has been made that
will allow you to be with God. It is so easy to get the forgiveness and
salvation he offers. Just humble yourself and admit that you need it. That
God is God and ask for it. However that sacrifice was a very humiliating
one. God came to earth in the form of his own son and not only took on
all the sin of the earth but a very degrading execution. I wouldn't think
that would sit well with an all powerful being. He knew when he created
this life drama we call the earth, that most everyone who was ever to be
born would reject him. Yet he has done it anyway for those of us who do
choose him. All of that hatred and rejection of him by the vast majority
of all people who ever lived can not go unanswered. He did say he was a
jealous God. And he is the same God of the Old Testament. He apparently
doesn't handle rejection passively.
In truth, the book of the Revelation was almost
rejected for inclusion in the Bible for the very reason you are troubled
by it. Many people are bothered by it. That is one reason why the churches
don't like to spend a lot of time on it. I believe that is also the reason
it was necessary for Satan to construct the idea of a pretribulation rapture.
The church must be made to teach something other than the truth of that
prophecy lest everyone catch on to what he is doing.
I have found it amusing to read all sorts
of conspiracy writers pointing out how various secret organizations are,
and have been trying to create, a new age one world government. There is
a belief in a loosely organized group called the "Illuminati" who are preparing
the world for their control. It is funny to me because most of these people
who are following these "conspiracies" don't have christian beliefs. So
when they write about this stuff they don't talk in Christian terms but
they are describing the neccessary apparatus that must be in place for
an "Antichrist Superczar" to be brought to power.
9.TO CONTINUE THE PREVIOUS QUESTION... DO YOU
KNOW THAT THE FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH DIDN’T RECOGNIZE THE BOOK OF APOCALYPSE
AS GENUINE? PERHAPS THE CHURCH USED IT LATER IN ORDER TO FRIGHTEN THE PEOPLE
AND KEEP THEM UNDER ITS RULE… DO YOU THINK THAT’S POSSIBLE IN YOUR OPINION?
There are a lot of churches that don't teach
or believe in the word of God. That is the primary sign of an apostate
church. If it doesn't say what you want to hear then just take it out.
Just why do you think we have so many different "Christian" religions anyway?
The idea of eternal life and forgiveness from God is a beautiful thing.
Who wouldn't like that? But start talking about consequences and damnation
and you will find that harder to sell. Ultimately, from the very beginning,
the churches have been more interested in getting converts than spreading
the word and truth of God. That is how the churches acquired an agenda
other than that of God's. Their own self interest depends on the churches
being filled with people who are happy to believe what they are selling.
The truth often isn't so appealing. That is how the churches have maintained
an influence over people all these centuries. It was easy when they had
total control over who had access to the word of God. But even now, with
most houses having several Bibles, people place their trust more in their
church instead of their God. The churches are perceived by many to be an
instrument of God on earth. This could not be further from the truth.
I personally do not perceive the book of Revelation
as frightening in any way. Jesus says: "He that loveth his life shall lose
it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."
So why worry over all those judgements being poured over the earth? You
know how this game ends and who wins. It should be comforting to know that
even if killed, no harm has been done to you. If you really believe in
God and are really a Christian you should see it as a privilege to live
through that time. It is a time when God's promises will be put into
full view all over the world in a most theatrical display of divine power.
I want to see it.
10.ALL THE PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD SAY THAT GOD
IS ONE, BUT ALL HAVE A DIFFERENT PERCEPTION OF GOD. BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE
AND STUDIES, WHICH ARE THE COMMON CHARACTERISTICS THAT GOD HAS IN ALL KNOWN
RELIGIONS?
I don't buy into the theory that all different
perceptions of all the different religions are of the same "one" god. From
the very first day Satan and his angels have been corrupting this world
with different religions, mostly to get people to worship them. This was
a major theme of the second Babylon Mystery Orchestra CD "On Earth As It
Is In Heaven." So the common characteristic that most religions have is
that they are worshipping created beings rather than the creator.
To be sure Christianity and Judaeism are related
and come from the same source, at least until Jesus came you could even
say they were the same. Islam is also more or less related since the Patriarchs
of Judaeism and Islam are the same. But this is definitely a Satanically
inspired corruption. Think of how God operated in the Old and New Testament.
No one person wrote the entire word of God. It was given to many different
people over a long period of time. You have to be suspicious of one person
who gets the whole religious document in one lifetime. That should be the
first thing you question about the Koran... and the book of Mormon while
you are at it.
11.IN THE BOOKLET OF YOUR NEW CD YOU USED QUOTES
OF MANY KNOWN HISTORICAL PEOPLE. MORE SPECIFICALLY WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO
QUOTE ONE OF ALEISTER CROWLEY’S SAYINGS, WHO IS CONNECTED TO BLACK MAGIC
AND SATANISM?
When I came accross that quote from Crowley
I knew I had to use it because it is one of those perfect examples of Lucifer
showing that he wants that which belongs to God. Crowley refers to Satan
Jeheshua as "Light of this world." The quote above it Jesus says "I am
the light of this world." I thought that putting the two next to each other
put the entire concept of the record right up front. Satan is trying to
present himself as God. So why would he not try to present himself that
way to people who are seeking God?
12.MY SISTER SAID THAT YOU ARE NOW PREPARING YOUR
FOURTH ALBUM. SO WHEN WILL IT BE READY? WILL IT BE A CONCEPT AGAIN? IF
YES, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT KIND OF TOPICS YOUR NEW ALBUM WILL DEAL WITH?
The next CD is already about 1/3 finished.
I hope to have it out in early 2008. It will definitely be a fully involved
conceptual piece. There are going to be, as always, several themes running
parallel to the main theme. There will be several songs dealing with Islam
and its purpose as well as a major focus on the significant consequences
of the mark of the beast. There is an unusual and quite vicious twist to
this one. It will reinforce the diabolical nature of the great tribulation.
Because war (both spiritual and military) will be such a prevalent theme
it will be sure to irritate the "politically correct". But I better not
say too much more. I think it will be better to take it all in at once
when it is finished.
13.DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO SHOOT A VIDEO CLIP BASED
ON ONE OF YOUR SONGS? IF YES WHICH SONG WILL YOU CHOOSE?
I wish I could do some videos but there are
no plans or resources for that at the moment. If I had to pick just one
BMO song from the three CD's I would probably pick "Ravishing Music" from
the "On Earth As It Is In Heaven" CD. That song seems perfectly suited
for a video. But I would like to do several if I could do them.
14.WHICH WAS THE WEIRDEST QUESTION YOU‘VE BEEN
ASKED SO FAR?
I haven't really been asked any weird questions.
Because of the nature of Babylon Mystery Orchestra music I tend to get
a lot of really good and serious questions. BMO interviews are totally
different than the ones done with other bands. You can see that with several
of the questions you have asked me. How many other bands could you ask
such questions of? Because I deal with serious subjects seriously, I tend
to get serious questions. I think a BMO interview is a lot more interesting
to read than most of the other ones. Most musicians in their interviews
are just like the lyrics in their songs. They are shallow and attempt to
say what they think you want to hear. You don't really get much out of
them do you?
15.WITHOUT ME WANTING TO FLATTER YOU SIDNEY, I
BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE PERSONS WHO SHOW THAT THE U.S. IS A COUNTRY
OF CULTURE AND HAS PEOPLE THAT ARE THINKERS. WHY, HOWEVER, DOES AMERICA
CHOOSE TO BRING FORTH ITS IGNORANCE AND NOT PEOPLE LIKE YOU?
Now you do flatter me! America is country
of culture and thinkers and there are plenty of them. The trouble is that
America is a commercial and media driven society. So that which sells the
most and is the loudest tends to be out front and gets the most notice.
There are so many varied and loud voices with so little to say that you
have to weed through the shallow entertainers and charlatans to get to
the real artists and thinkers. I think, unfortunately, you are seeing the
worst of American culture in your society because that would tend to be
more desireable over there. The negative aspects of America are probably
considered more entertaining.
16.SOMEWHERE I READ THAT BOTH GOD AND DEVIL HIDE
IN THE DETAILS. DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?
God made it as simple as he could for you.
So I don't think that is appropriate. He doesn't hide anywhere. Everything
is here only because of him. Now the devil... he would hide in the details.
He creates the complications for his amusement and your confusion. Ask
youself, did God create the many different Christian religions? Or was
that the work of someone else?
17.THANKS FOR YOUR TIME AND GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR
THIRD ALBUM WHICH IS VERY GOOD! THE LAST LINES BELONG TO YOU…
I want to thank you for doing an interview
with me again. Behind the Veil has done one for every Babylon Mystery Orchestra
release and I look forward to it a lot. The new CD is now available for
distribution through Lance King's Nightmare Records so tell the shops that
sell hard rock and metal CD's in Greece to stock it! I think this is a
good chance to increase the exposure of BMO's music. I look forward to
bringing the next BMO presentation to the world as fast as I can.
Nick "William_Kidd"
Parastatidis
|