[dariusf]

Aphrodite's Child - 666 - (Vangelis was one of the members)

Wow what an album! If you like 70s rock you will love this. Its a double CD written about the Bible's Book Of Revelations. Very innovative and ahead of its time. Had it sitting with some old albums totally forgoten... some tracks are totally awesome

amazon link

 

[JohnActon]

I agree! What a great album. Prog fans will definitely enjoy this. Vangelis fans take note, however; this album does not in any way resemble his later synthesizer-based work.

As an aside, Demis Roussos is an amazing singer and also appears as vocalist for one song on the 'Blade Runner' soundtrack.

 

[dariusf]

Do you have any suggestions for similar hidden gems?

 

[itza2mer]

Great album! 'Four Horsemen' and 'Lamb' are my favorites. The sounds on this album are wonderful.

If you like the bombastic, darker, edgier Vangelis, his 'Earth' is closest, however, 'Hypothesis' and ('Long Ago, So Clear' excluded) 'Heaven and Hell' albums are closer to '666' than any of his other solo albums. I've never listened to 'Dragon', his first solo album, however I imagine it has that dark edge as well.

 

[JohnActon]

Yes, Vangelis' earlier works are definitely darker, all the way up through Albedo 0.39 and Spiral, in my opinion. After that, he started to move more towards his symphonic leanings (Mask, China, L'Opera Sauvage, etc).

I've never heard Earth or Hypothesis (or Dragon, for that matter). I didn't think they were in print. Do you know of any place from which I could purchase these albums (in CD format)?

 

[itza2mer]

Quote:

Originally posted by JohnActon I didn't think they were in print. Do you know of any place from which I could purchase these albums (in CD format)?

http://www.cdeuroxpress.com/ sells 'Earth' on CD.

I have copies ripped from vinyl of 'Earth' and 'Hypothesis'.

 

[JohnActon]

Thanks for the link!!

 

[marios_mar]

First of all I must agree that 666 is a great prog rock album.

A part of it is sampled in ENIGMA MXCMC a.D.

Anyway I am proud of these guys that are greeks like me.

The album that I would suggest (besides the other Aphrodites album) is Vangelis's The City. Its really ambient and sometimes rocks up. It is absolutely amazing and headphone friendly. The production of this album is truly AMAZING. One of the best I've heard. I think it was originally recorded in analog. Do yourself a favor and add it to your collection. You need to put those Senns on on to a good CDP and lay back to this music and enjoy!

 

[dariusf]

Totally agree about the Vangelis's The City. I have it on my iPod and listen to it sometimes when I want to relax on the train or don't have a head for some metal or industrial. The first time I heard it it seemed a bit strange but it definitely grew on me. The track 'Nerve Center' is really cool.

Somewhat similar and something I enjoy as well is Joe Satriani's Engines of Creation album. While somewhat experimental when comparing to his usual work, it has some great tracks and allot of awesome guitar work as always. Check out some samples on Amazon (and use the head-fi link on the home page if you are going to make a purchase) amazon link

 

[gpalmer]

Wow, I used to listen to 666 in high school. It was a great album as I remember, thanks for bringing the moemries back!

 

[itza2mer]

666 would work well as a musical play or film (ala Jesus Christ Superstar). I wonder if the music for this album was conceived, or intended, to be used that way at one point?