UT

New Trolls

Rock Progressivo Italiano

3.86 | 158 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

Although the plethora of opinions say that Concerto Grosso per is the album that defines the band, I'd easily point to Ut as my go to favorite New Trolls album.

With riffs off a Sabbath album splattered across much of the proceedings, you can sense the band is starting to fracture into two distinct factions right in front of your eyes: a heavy rock angle (they are really good at this), and a more introspective classical angle (the Concerto Grosso approach). The ten minute guitar meltdown of C'e Troppa Guerra would not be out of place on the first Wolfmother album (a little known hard rock classic), but at its core oozes complex Black Sabbath. (Electric Wizard fans take note).

That is probably as far as some prog fans will read, but this album is way more complex than a simple 70's metal romp. Acoustic pop friendly songs, frightening orchestrations, classical keyboard exercises, guitars having a conversation (literally talking) in Paulo e Francesca, sprightly Italian folk melodies, slow melancholic symphonic ballads-the differences between keyboardist Maurizio Salvi and guitarist Vittorio De Scalzi could not be more prominently displayed. Somehow it works.

Reference points: Not easy. They are kind of their own self contained beast. Some ELP and Black Sabbath collide, but not necessarily in the same song. Side one is near perfection in Italian rock that appeals to all, not just RPI fans (Nato Adesso being a great example of the synthesis of the two styles) , and side two is the aforementioned guitar meltdown centerpiece.

This was their swan song until the semi successful reunion later on Concerto Grosso 2. NT Atomic System and ? (yes, ?) who turned into Ibis are on the horizon after the split.

For fans leaning towards the heavier side of RPI. But if you are an Italian prog fan and don't have this album, seek it immediately. 4.5 stars

zeuhl1 | 4/5 | 2020-4-10

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