Babylon Mystery Orchestra - The Great Apostasy: A Conspiracy of Satanic Christianity

If you ever heard the first Babylon Mystery Orchestra album, you know that the 15/100 score I gave it was probably a little better score than should have been given.  That album was downright unbearable, and after reviewing it I never gave it another listen. 

About a year ago, I heard someone on a messageboard talking about the second BMO album.  They praised it and said it was leaps and bounds better than the first disc.  Although I've never heard that album, I seriously have my doubts.  Why you ask?

Well, now comes the third BMO release, and while it may hold a little better promise at least in the musical department, the vocals are still HORRIFIC and totally drag down any good this band has to offer.  The majority of the music here is heavy and doom-oriented with a little bit of mid-paced metal here and there.  There is nothing overly technical about it for the most part and the overall approach is simple and straight-forward.  I'm not saying that Sidney Allen Johnson (the band's lone member) is not a talented musician, but he doesn't really to try to show off in any way on this disc - save for a few guitar solos and some occasional nice acoustic guitar playing.  The music, while played decently, just feels awkward in many ways.  A little metal here, a little hard rock here, a little goth here,....but it never seems to gel in any convincing way.  It's kinda frustrating too, cause every once in a while, there will be a cool intro or a very dark haunting part of a song, or a heavy, Saviour Machine-influenced vibe....but then it crashes and burns just moments later.

While the performance itself is nothing special and while the vocals make me borderline ill, I must say the packaging is incredible!  The 20-page full color CD booklet is very eye appealing with great artwork that relates to the lyrics in many ways.  As for the lyrics, they are extremely bold for Christ and paint a dark picture of the Christianity of the modern world.  Johnson has also included tons of Scripture and quotes from numerous authors and leaders of the past that deal with the topics of the songs.  It's obvious that a TON of work when into the lyrical aspect of this recording.

So, what's my overall opinion of this album?  Well, it's better than Divine Right of Kings.  But it's still something that I just can't get into AT ALL.  With some MUCH better vocals and a little more passionate and interesting musical performance , I might give it the time of day, but as it is now....I can't find much good past the artwork and the lyrical concept of the album.

Rating: 30/100

Review By: Matt Morrow

Label: Independent

Total Songs: 11

Total Time: 58:09

Tracklisting: 1. Holy Ghost, 2. Pentecost, 3. I, Lucifer, 4. Prey for Me, 5. One Way, One Truth, One Life, 6. Church of State, 7. Eye of the Needle, 8. Wolf in the Fold, 9. Who Mourns for Philadelphia, 10. King of the Earth, 11. Antichrist Superczar.

Best Songs: Tracks 5, 6, & 7

Band Lineup: Sidney Allen Johnson - All instruments & vocals

Band Website: http://www.babylonmysteryorchestra.com