End of the World

In the late 1960's Greek Band Aphrodite's Child unleashed their debut to the world sans one of their original members; Guitarist Silver Kolouris was temporarily out of the band due to military service, but the band comes off here as if they have their whole compliment of personnel, Bassist/vocalist Demis Roussis adding guitar parts where necessary. Vangelis ("Chariots Of Fire" fame) is the band's multi - instrumentalist, focusing on keyboard related instruments, and the drum/percussion parts are provided by Lucas Sideras.This condensed combo provided us with lots of atmospheric listening enjoyment, using many different styles, but it all has a certain quality to it which is hard to pin down. They were active toward the end of popular music's psychedelic era, and everything here takes the listener to that period, without being trite. They were masterful musicians who delivered the goods without fail.The opening number, title track "End Of The World," sets the mood; nice, gentle melody, stream-of-consciousness lyrics, and a vocal delivery only Roussis could deliver. There are light, folk-like tunes, some pop/jazz fusion numbers and some genuinely dark, eerie numbers. "The Grass Is No Green" is a pretty good example of this. A song about a drought doesn't seem like a candidate for a spooky, for lack of a better word, performance, but it is genuinely creey sounding. Compressed sounding and nightmarish, it is a perfect example of just how good this band is at creating surreal atmospheres. Sometimes the histrionics go over the top, as in "Day Of The Fool." This is a horror film for your ears, if anything is.The band runs the gamut on this disc, and the sound quality doesn't sound dated at all, even if the material is sort of passe by some tastes. It is a must for fans of early progressive rock. Good zoning out material.

Great

Not that great. GOLD by Demis is a much better album and more deserving of your purchase.

Aphrodite's Child do not need an introduction - at least, for the real fans of vintage rock. This is an excellent re-issue of original 1969 album by Esoteric Recordings - 9 songs from the LP plus 6 bonus tracks from singles and a full colour leaflet (liner notes by Mark Powell.For someone who meets the band for the first time, it's worth to mention that it was an exceptional innovative trio from Greece, which performed unusual blend of psych, progressive, melodic rock (with occasional elements of jazz)led by unique high-register voice of Demis Roussos, embellished sometimes by the use of traditional Greek instruments and music (which, although, doesn't make it ethnic band). The music was composed by Evanghelos Papathanassiou (yes, THAT Vangelis!).That band managed to escape the dictatorship in Greece (which became not the right place for a rock act - likewise rock was forbidden in the USSR and not welcome in South Africa), got settled down in France (couldn't get work permit for the UK) and jumped to huge international success.Short-lived and impressive career of Aphrodite's Child ended up with a controversial concept album, featuring extraordinaire voice of Irene Papas* -  666: Apocalypse of St John ; must have for every connoisseur of classic & progressive rock .It is worth mentioning that the band didn't come out of cultural vacuum and didn't ended up without any followers: Socrates -  Phos (produced by Vangelis, he is on keyboards, singing in English); first Greek rock-opera -  Troikos Polemos ; Akritas -  Akritas ...Needless to say, that other album -  It's Five O'clock  - is highly recommended too.* Irene Papas later joined Vangelis for a couple of solo projects (not an easy listening, but strong!) -  Rapsodies ; Odes (Gre)

OK, I know they came from Europe, from all countries and the lead vocalist came from Greece, but the voice gets to me. He is good here and there, same thing with that Album from The Corporation, especially the song Changes, man, I get so frustrated when that song is really good on arrangements and performance with the band members, but here comes that voice again, I get mad about that, don't know who was controlling the band The Corporation (1970), but they should have realized that one. That's why I give this Album 4 stars than 5. A reviewer said something about the same thing with the group The 3 O'Clock. About the lead voice sounding young and girlish, matter of fact, their was one saying something about the singing of Thunderclap Newman as well. But the combination of the arrangements and Era made in the late 70's with The Salvation Army, then turning to The 3 O'Clock, sort of blends for me and I like the Salvation Army and The 3 O'Clock. Who Knows? But it's just the Hype involved with this Album when it came out in 69'. But at lease I like the band. The members of the band play Awsome! The same on Thunderclap Newman on Guitar!

Brilliant these remastered cd's of Aphrodite's Child. A must have for all fans ( with extra tracks only available thusfar on The Complete Collection, now unavailable). Now let's hope Esoteric get the rights to Aphrodite's Child 666 and re-release it with Vangelis again at the helm remastering and including the fabled lost parts?

Have this on LP from1968, but it is almost worn out and difficult to obtain new as LP. Bought it because it was available on CD. "Rain and tears" are the big hit from the album. Recomended for lovers of prog and late sixties pop music. Vangelis and Demis Roussos are the head members of the group.

This was the first LP I ever bought and I had forgotten how good it is.

Unique!

Cracking reissue of this most unusual album from possibly the only Greek band I can think of. Those who thought Demis Roussos was just a warbling crooner (but a fine one at that) should check this out. The legend that is Vangelis is here too and together they make a wonderful mix of psychedelic and acoustic sounds with impassioned vocals. An extremely unique and intriguing band. Being an Esoteric release it contains spectacularly remastered sound, highly readable sleeve notes and a beautifully designed booklet. This really is the definitive version.