There cannot be a quantum leap without a steady progress to precede it, and APHRODITE’S CHILD‘s discography presents a perfect illustration for such a thesis. One could perceive the logic of development the Greek trio underwent between their 1968 debut "End Of The World" and "It's Five O'Clock" from the following year, yet when ivories master Vangelis, singing bassist Demis Roussos and drummer Lucas Sideras, plus guitarist Silver Koulouris – a founding member who had to leave the band earlier to serve in the army but returned to help his friends – got to their last full-length platter in 1972, the result took the ensemble to a completely different level. And to the break-up too – only the double album “666” was worth the effort, and the classic record’s belated 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition will prove the point in style.
The box set which is scheduled for release on November 8th comprises four CDs and a Blu-ray disc with remastered versions of the original mix and the mix done for a Greek LP 1974, as well as Surround Sound and Atmos mixes, all overseen by Vangelis himself not long before his passing. And while the 28-minute bonus video with his interview from 1972 feels inessential despite English subtitles, a book that accompanies the music adds a lot of context to it all. A milestone offering.
666:
50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
CD 1:
1. The System
2. Babylon
3. Loud, Loud, Loud
4. The Four Horsemen
5. The Lamb
6. The Seventh Seal
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
666:
50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
CD 2:
1. Seven Trumpets
2. Altamont
3. The Wedding Of The Lamb
4. The Capture Of The Beast
5. ∞
6. Hic Et Nunc
7. All The Seats Were Occupied
8. Break
CD 3:
1-16 – as on CD 1
CD 4:
1-8 – as on CD 2
Blu-ray:
1-24 – as on CDs 1 & 2 – 96 kHz / 24-bit Atmos & 5.1 up-mixes & stereo mix
Video:
“Discorama” feat. Vangelis – ORTF TV, France – June 4th, 1972
