BABYLON MYSTERY ORCHESTRA/ "Divine Right Of Kings" ( Mystic Metal)

Not easy to categorize is this solo project from American Allen Johnson. To
listen is to hear strong acoustic metal with mixed with folk-style guitar.
Particularly in the quieter moments this album shows his strengths. With
ballad-like charm and a dark voice, Allen slips through and allows the
guitar, here and there, to almost have a life of its own and frequently
binds itself to the melody. Wandering between the dark rock and white metal
is a message in the package. To every song he weaves a message and involves
the listener with the message and with a question or introspect. "Mourning
Glory" moves the listener through his thorough/complex/involved depression.
The ending piece "Crestfallen" is alternatively pleasantly instrumental. In
"We are Power" he exhibits and unloads a frantic doom-like energy. Light
tones mix themselves in a haunting refrain. "Whore" or "It's My Right" are
really pure Goth-like style reminscent of the American bands of the 80's.
With "Savages With Cash" and its haunting keys, one can draw comparisons to
Cassandra Complex and also timely to "Granade". Mystic elegance and dark
melody parts highlight and make this CD stand out. Alone the massive guitar
arrangements exhibit dark pop. "Save My Soul" is a wonderful ballad with light overtones and
brings the listener to capture his own feelings in response to this
outstanding work.
Andreas http://amboss-mag.de http://www.amboss-mag.de/reviews/Archiv2/03/r03-02/babylonmy.html
(translated from the original German)

BABYLON MYSTERY ORCHESTRA
Divine Right Of Kings
(Self-financed)
I will begin this review in an anorthodox way. YOU ALL OUT THERE MUST HAVE THIS CD!!!! Ok, now! Since I said what I wanted, I think I should relax and take things one by one. Step by step...So, Babylon Mystery Orchestra is one man's work. Behind everything (music, lyrics, performance, production and all kinds of arangements) can be found one and only man and this is no other than Sidney Allen Jonshon. There are some promos like this, that when they get into my hands and listen to them I really feel honoured for having the chance to present it in public. Their music? Easy...how do you think a mixture of Sisters Of Mercy with Kiss would sound? That's exaclty what we have here. The music is closer to Sisters Of Mercy musically and the solos and a little bit more hard rock/heavy sounding. Don't worry! the cd is metal from the first till the last minute. Don't get any weird ideas that we are talking for a gothic band here. nothing like that. From whatever aspect if we look and "examine" this cd, only positive things we can find. It's a self financed release, however many official releases from labels would be jealous of its quality. A very professional and hard work was done here. the production is very good and clear as well. the last thing I want to point out is the lyrics... I have to give my sincere congratulations and epxress my admiration to Sidney, because he has done a terrific job! They are very caustic and they hit the root of the problem. He is not afraid to express his ideas and he is a sceptic. What else is there to be said? I can't stop listening to this release...So, my advice? GO AND HAVE IT!!!!
EMAIL: allenjohnson@greenlynk.com
SITE:
*9.5/10
Christine "azriel" Parastatidou