666

This is one of the most unique albums that I own. A cult classic from Greece that looks at the serious subject of The Apocalypse through seemingly innocent and almost irreverent eyes. An album that is misunderstood by many but almost universally celebrated by Prog fans. It's one of the first double concept albums ever recorded. Funny but I usually am not a fan of either double albums or concept records yet this has captured my imagination completely. I have a difficult time explaining why which makes me think there has to be something magical about this recording.

"The System" is really people chanting the same line over and over for 23 seconds then "Babylon" kicks in with strummed guitar and people cheering as vocals and bass join in. An upbeat and catchy song with horns helping out as well. "Loud, Loud, Loud" opens with piano as narration comes in. Love the mood here. I like the line "Shouting together with the freaks" because i've hung around with a lot of so called freaks in my life. "The Four Horsemen" is probably my favourite track. I love how the vocals almost cry the lyrics. It kicks in just before a minute. How good is this ! Back to the spoken vocals that cry the words as contrasts continue.Vocal melodies then a guitar solo before 3 1/2 minutes. "The Lamb" is a good energetic track.Vocal melodies, drums and other sounds lead the way. Some unique and intricate sounds in this one. "The Seventh Seal" is a short track with narration. "Aegian Sea" is another amazing tune. Love the dreamy intro then it kicks in at a minute before returning to that spacey atmosphere again. Contrasts continue. Gorgeous ! Narration 3 minutes in with guitar and a beat. Nice.

"Seven Bowls" opens with percussion-like sounds then spoken words follow that quote scripture then the clanging sounds are back to end it. "The Wakening Beast" has these strange sounds as it blends into "Lament" where we get haunting vocal melodies. "The Marching Beast" kicks in right away and the piano becomes prominant. "The Battle Of The Locusts" is guitar led with upfront bass and drums.The guitar lights it up pretty good here. "Do It" continues with the bass, drums and guitar putting on a show. Great stuff. "Tribulation" is horn led and it sounds incredible.Too short though. "The Beast" is kind of silly and Zappa-like really. I like it ! I enjoy the drumming and guitar too. "Ofis" is a short spoken word piece to end disc one.

"Seven Trumpets" is a short spoken word passage announcing judgement in an irreverant way. "Altamont" is fantastic ! Catchy stuff with vocal melodies. Horns lead 2 minutes in. Great sound. Spoken words join in after 3 minutes as the music continues. "The Wedding Of The Lamb" is another good one with flute, percussion,vocal melodies and more leading the way. It settles back after 2 1/2 minutes then spoken words and drums end it. "The Capture Of The Beast" opens with brief spoken words as a beat and clanging sounds with atmosphere takes over. Great sound ! "Infinity" is the hardest track to digest as actress Irene Papas repeats words with urgency and then with emotion and then she's just out of control (haha). Insane. "Hic And Nunc" is live with piano, drums and vocals. Catchy.

"All The Seats Were Occupied" is the over 19 minute epic.We get snippets of earlier tracks being reprised on this one. Organ floats in then synths and stringed instruments as it builds. Great sound after 2 1/2 minutes. Brief spoken words before 5 minutes. Nice bass before 6 minutes. It settles right down 8 minutes in.You can hear Irene in the background. It kicks back in before 10 1/2 minutes. She's back and horns too. Guitar and percussion take over a minute later then the horns return.They're jamming here and I love this. Percussion leads after 17 minutes. Some crazy sax 18 1/2 minutes in for the big finish.That was one incredible piece of music. "Break" ends it beginning with piano and reserved vocals as organ comes and goes.The backing vocals sound like Wyatt here.The guitar is back when the vocals stop.They're back after 2 minutes.

It's an honour to be the first to hit 3,000 reviews even though I still wish Hugues had done it because he deserves it more than I do. I want to thank Hibou (Lise), Easy Livin (Bob), Sean Trane (Hugues), loserboy (James) and others who inspired me late in 2005 when I first started to frequent this site on a regular basis.These people especially became my inspiration and the windows to the Prog world for me. I didn't have music samples to listen to back then so these people and this site were the ones who I relied on as I learned about different bands and albums I had never heard of before. I didn't join this site until August 27th 2006 because for some reason I didn't want to join until I was ready to start doing reviews. Imitation is the sincerest form of flatery they say. My first review was September 1st of that year and I feel like I haven't even had time to take a breath since (haha). That day is coming soon though.