It’s a surprise that Aphrodite’s Youngster’s 666 ever obtained made in any respect. The Greek group had made two albums within the Sixties earlier than their nation was thrown into chaos by way of a right-wing navy coup. Two of the three musicians – keyboardist Vangelis and singer/bassist Demis Roussos – fled to Paris, whereas guitarist Anagyros (Silver) Koulouris stayed behind, pressed into navy service. By the point Koulouris rejoined the group, Roussos was beginning up a solo profession that may ultimately result in large pop success. And Vangelis had turn out to be a studio hermit, permitting a alternative to take his place on excursions. The subsequent album that Vangelis had deliberate? A collaboration with movie director / lyricist Costas Ferris based mostly loosely on the E-book of Revelation. The thought didn’t sit effectively with both the band or its label, Mercury. When the imprint heard 666, they demanded that sure tracks be pulled.
Because the album continued to sit down in limbo, the band determined to carry a celebration in Paris to have a good time the primary “birthday” of its non-release. Among the many invitees was none aside from Salvador Dali. In response to Costas, “Just before… blowing the candle of the so-called negative anniversary, Dali arrived, surrounded by his bodyguards and friends. He became immediately the king of the event. So, he asked to sit on his ‘throne,’ and hear the whole music! Almost 80 minutes! In silence!” Dali pronounced it “a music of stone” and mentioned it reminded him of the church of Sagrada Famiglia in Barcelona. Mercury agreed to launch it. (However solely on its freakier Vertigo subsidiary.)
Order the Aphrodite’s Youngster album 666 on vinyl now.
Listening to the album right now, you may’t fault the label for getting chilly toes. The report begins with the distant however clear chant of “F–k the system,” a phrase allowed on only a few data in 1971. Afterward, there’s a observe known as “Infinity Symbol,” which incorporates maybe essentially the most vivid recorded orgasm in well-liked music. (Way more practical than Donna Summer time or Jane Birkin, even.) The actress Irene Pappas does the honors, getting the complete five-minute observe to herself except for some tribal drums. Her chanting of a Biblical paraphrase – “I am, to come, I was” – is punctuated by shrieks, groans, heavy breaths and extra. It’s a outstanding efficiency and one of many few moments of precise erotica within the prog canon.
In 1971, there was little or no to check 666 to. Positive, it’s a double idea album with a Biblical theme and a climactic 19-minute observe – however that also doesn’t place it anyplace close to the symphonic prog territory of Sure and ELP, and even the jazzier turf of early King Crimson. Aphrodite’s Youngster had been merely so much additional out: A mixture of Hawkwind-esque psychedelia, Zappa-style chopping and pasting, and plenty of spoken phrase. Prime it with a keyboardist whose type was simply as knowledgeable by the classics because it was European cinematic music. Then throw some straight-ahead heavy rock into the combo everytime you least anticipate it, and also you’ve obtained an concept of what 666 was all about.
All issues thought-about, it’s a reasonably unfastened idea album – Vangelis wrote that he supposed it to be “looser than Tommy, but more rigid and strict than Sgt. Pepper’s” – and far of the story is advised by means of instrumental music alone. There are the truth is solely 5 typical vocals on the entire double album, and people stand out for being so incongruous. The primary correct tune, “Babylon” has a heavy acoustic guitar, an upfront bass and a grabbing refrain hook; with a unique lyric it may very well be the Transfer or the Small Faces. “The Four Horsemen” flashes again to the band’s heavy-psych days; Koulouris’ wah-wah extravaganza reveals his clear intent to make up for his time away from the band.
In the event you solely know Vangelis’ celebrated soundtrack work, his taking part in right here might be a revelation. He didn’t but have his trademark banks of synthesizers, so he obtained particularly resourceful with the keyboards he had. Typical sounds (just like the Hammond B3 beloved by Wakeman and Emerson) weren’t for him, and you’ll’t at all times inform precisely what he’s taking part in. The album’s first instrumental, “The Lamb,” is a sprightly piece with a dialogue between two keyboards: One may very well be a sped-up piano or only a regular one performed particularly quick; the opposite is an organ distorted to sound like bagpipes. On “Altamont” he takes to the vibes; although it refers to a tragic occasion, the observe has an nearly celebratory rock really feel.
Overlaying most of facet 4, “All the Seats Were Occupied” takes the complete journey from order to chaos. The opening part is constructed round a stately, melodic theme that’s the primary actual glimpse of Vangelis’ soundtrack success. However the piece turns into extra unsettling: There’s one other large guitar unleashing by Koulouris; a stretch of monastic chanting, and reprises of many earlier tracks, and the world lastly ends with…a drum solo. But there may be hope within the distance: The album concludes with “Break,” an anthemic ballad that guarantees new beginnings whereas bringing the band full circle, paying homage to “Rain & Tears” territory.
After that, there was merely no place for Aphrodite’s Youngster to go. Demis Roussos in the end grew to become a European pop star; his mid-70s hit “Happy to Be on An Island in the Sun” sounded for all of the world like an Aegean Sea model of Jimmy Buffett. Vangelis got here tantalizingly near becoming a member of Sure in 1974 (they went with Patrick Moraz as an alternative); getting worldwide fame for Chariots of Hearth and his Jon Anderson collaborations. So 666 will endlessly be a creative one-off, and an everlasting mind-blower.
Order the Aphrodite’s Youngster album 666 on vinyl now.
