Originally released in 1972 by Greek band Aphrodite’s Child, ‘666 - The Apocalypse Of John’ is one of the most controversial, ambitious, exotic and lauded progressive rock albums of all time.
Composed by Vangelis, with lyrics written by Costas Ferris, it is a conceptual double album that was hailed upon its release as “a work of stunning complexity and originality” and is the crowning moment in the career of Aphrodite’s Child, a group which also featured the outstanding talent of Demis Roussos (vocals, bass guitar), later an internationally renowned vocalist and solo artist, along with the gifted
musicians Silver Koulouris (lead guitar) and Lucas Sideras (drums, vocals).
Featuring material such as ‘The Four Horsemen’, ‘Aegian Sea’, ‘Babylon’, ‘Do It’, ‘The Beast’ and ‘All the Seats Were Occupied’, this album’s renown has grown steadily over the decades, influencing successive generations of musicians.
“666” was completed over a year prior to its eventual release thanks to the presence of the controversial track “∞”, which featured Greek actress Irene Papas vocal performance which simulated orgasmic ecstasy. Upon the album’s original release in 1972, the band had split up, but its originality and sheer unalloyed quality meant that a ‘cult’ has slowly built around it over the ensuing decades. “666” is now regarded as one of the finest rock albums of a particularly fine era and required listening for rock/metal enthusiasts and exotic music freaks alike.
With all versions to be released on 8 November 2024, the 4-CD / 1 Blu Ray set contains audio remastered versions of the original album mix and the rare 1974 Greek LP mix (which featured considerably different mixes to the original LP release). The Blu Ray disc features a 96 kHz / 24-bit Atmos and 5.1 up mixes and stereo mix, all of which were overseen by Vangelis. The Blu Ray also contains bonus video content of a 28-minute episode of the French television show Discorama from June 1972 featuring Vangelis performing in the television studio and talking about the album (with English subtitles added).
The double vinyl set contains the original 1972 album remaster.
This set also includes a lavishly illustrated book featuring a new essay and original interviews with the band plus many previously unseen photographs that Vangelis sourced from his various archives around Europe not long before his sad passing in May 2022.
Unique and relevant over 50 years after its original release, “666” is now widely regarded as one of the most accomplished and important records ever released on the legendary Vertigo imprint, the jewel in the crown from the so-called ‘swirl’ period that refers to the famous label design used between 1969 and 1973.
LP1 Side One
1. The System
2. Babylon
3. Loud, Loud, Loud
4. The Four Horsemen
5. The Lamb
6. The Seventh Seal
LP1 Side Two
7. Aegean Sea
8. Seven Bowls
9. The Wakening Beast
10. Lament
11. The Marching Beast
12. The Battle of the Locusts
13. Do It
14. Tribulation
15. The Beast
16. Ofis
LP2 Side Three
17. Seven Trumpets
18. Altamont
19. The Wedding of the Lamb
20. The Capture of the Beast
21. ∞
22. Hic et Nunc
LP2 Side Four
23. All the Seats Were Occupied
24. Break.
