666 cover

666

Billy Talent · 2007

67 min · 17 tracks · alternative rock

Raucous punk energy meets anthemic choruses, creating a charged atmosphere of rebellion and introspection.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Devil in a Midnight Mass — The track's infectious melody and lyrics addressing themes of temptation and moral conflict make it a standout anthem, encapsulating the album's darker undertones.
  • →
    Fallen Leaves — This song captures a sense of urgency with its driving rhythm and poignant lyrics about loss, making it one of the most emotionally impactful tracks on the album.
  • →
    Red Flag — With its powerful message against apathy, this track serves as a rallying cry that resonates deeply within the context of political disillusionment prevalent during its release.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album combines energetic punk with melodic hooks, creating a strong but uneven listening experience.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album maintains a high energy level with fast tempos and aggressive instrumentation, while the second half introduces more melodic elements.
  • Several tracks feature call-and-response vocals between the lead singer and backing harmonies, enhancing the anthemic quality.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic peaks and valleys
  • cathartic sing-along moments
  • introspective lyrics throughout
  • for group energy
  • late-night emotional release

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer mellow, consistent sounds
  • want instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This album solidified Billy Talent's reputation in the alternative rock scene.
Themes
moral conflict· political disillusionment· temptation and loss
Career context
By the time '666' was released in 2007, Billy Talent had already established themselves with their self-titled debut and the successful follow-up, 'Billy Talent II'. This album marked a significant point in their career as they pushed artistic boundaries while striving to maintain their core sound amidst growing popularity.
Stylistic neighbors
Alexisonfire· Rise Against· AFI

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 This Is How It Goes 4:16
  • 2 Devil in a Midnight Mass 2:55
  • 3 This Suffering 3:51
  • 4 Line & Sinker 3:54
  • 5 Standing in the Rain 3:57
  • 6 The Navy Song 4:38
  • 7 Worker Bees 4:01
  • 8 The Ex 2:40
  • 9 Surrender 3:59
  • 10 Prisoners of Today 5:04
  • 11 Fallen Leaves 3:28
  • 12 Perfect World 3:11
  • 13 Sympathy 3:13
  • 14 Try Honesty 6:32
  • 15 Nothing to Lose 3:50
  • 16 River Below 3:03
  • 17 Red Flag 4:49

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata