666

I swear I enjoy this album more each time I listen to it. I find it impossible to stop once I've started. While I am not fully refreshed on this band's history or its members, it's hard to ignore the variety they bring to this album. Besides, we're all here for the music anyways so here goes:

666 is an album, like many other great prog gems, not to be taken lightly. There is a lot happening, whether its catchy "pop" tunes (The Four Horsemen) or biblical-times-sounding rhythms (The Marching Beast) or apocalyptic prophecies (Seven Bowls) or famous Greek actresses orgasming for 5 minutes (that one scared me). I find the fluidity between songs and balance of these mentioned elements is what drives the album home. It stands out as the perfect example of what a concept album truly is: .

As far as content is concerned it is certainly a more serious and sometimes unnerving account for what is described in the book of Revelations (at least that's what I am led to believe and it certainly seems accurate at least). I rather enjoy the short songs that serve only to transition; they prepare the ears for the next stage in the album, the next part of the story if you will.

Musically I find it perfectly balanced between psychedelic sounds (Aegian Sea) and rocking riffs and soloing (The Battle of the Locusts). AC don't really leave you bored for a moment. They make sure not to overdo as well as drone on. After several listens I feel the whole album is just leading up to the grand finale (All the Seats Were Occupied) and then for one last goodbye (Break) which is the resolution to the climax of the previous song.

All in all, I am glad this album exists. It has helped shape my view on concept albums as well as prog music in general. For an album to be so weird and accessible at the same time is a keeper in my book.