666 (The Apocalypse of John, 13/18) is often considered to being one of rock music's first concept albums. Essentially considered progressive rock, it does contain some rather pleasing pieces setting a mood for celebration and sinful vice, as well as somber orchestrations incorperating an eclectic combination of classical, rock, and even tribal mixes of instrumentation, combined with haunting narrations ranging from both the angelic to the demonic in countenance. Many of the shorter instrumental tracks do run together, and certainly sound better as a component of the larger collective than they would standing alone. But once the mood of that piece is broken, the artists often move in a completely different direction, though somehow, it still flows. The two predominant styles of music presented are prog-influenced pop, and heavy prog/psych, often featuring overwhelming guitar work. It seems kind of ironic, that this album was initially denied release by their label (Mercury Records) because of the inclusion of a track featuring some gutteral moaning and the like from a guest female vocalist.

Tracklist:

1.The System 2.Babylon 3.Loud Loud Loud 4.The Four Horsemen 5.The Lamb 6.The Seventh Seal 7.Aegian 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 17.Seven Trumpets 18.Altamont 19.The Wedding Of The Lamb 20.The Capture Of The Beast 21.Infinity 22.Hic And Nunc 23.All The Seats Were Occupied 24.Break

Lineup:

Vangelis (Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou) - keyboards, organ, piano, vibraphone, bass, flute, percussions, backing vocals ("Lament", "The Beast", "Break"), Demis Roussos (Artemiros Ventouris Roussos) - lead vocals ("Babylon", "The Four Horsemen", "Lament", "Hic et Nunc"), backing vocals, bass, guitar, Lucas Sideras - lead vocals ("The Beast", "Break"), backing vocals, drums, Silver Koulouris (Anargyros Koulouris) - guitar, percussion. Additional musicians: Harris Halkitis - bass, tenor saxophone, congas, percussion, backing vocals, Michel Ripoche - trombone, tenor saxophone ("Babylon", "Hic et Nunc"), Irene Papas - vocals ("Infinity"), John Forst - english narration, Yannis Tsarouchis - greek narration ("Ofis"), Daniel Koplowitz - vocals ("Loud Loud Loud"), Costas Ferris - lyricist