N.T. ATOMIC SYSTEM [AKA: UNA NOTTE SUL MONTE CALVO]

New Trolls Atomic System

Rock Progressivo Italiano

3.61 | 81 ratings

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Andrea Cortese
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator

"...man, you have to remember that one day you'll be dust. Man who silently pray, you pass the hours kneeling, perhaps you use to think death is different, but you also dust will be..."

In 1973 New Trolls, at the apex of their fame in Italy, suddenly disbanded mainly due to the differnt musical views of the two friends/enemies Vittorio De Scalzi and Nico Di Palo. This was more harder rock oriented and found the band "Ibis". While De Scalzi was more strictly symphonic oriented and went to create one of the most relevant albums of the early seventies: the debut album of the so called "N. T. Atomic System". I own the 1996 Vinyl Magic remastered cd with the interesting bonus track "Una Notte sul Monte Calvo", a track inspired by a famous piece of Mussorgski and after the success of Emerson Lake and Plamer who brought it to wide success. The song is originally performed by the combination of two sections, the first of them is a great symphonic effort while in the second part is well evident what'll be the road De Scalzi wanted to run: a good and enjoyable jazz influence. With rich instrumentation: excellent flute, piano, arp synth, spinet, hammond organ, moog, mellotron, electric piano, tenor sax, eminent, drums (featuring the "everypresent" Tullio De Piscopo) and percussion. Vocals are provided by the same leader Vittorio De Scalzi. Chorus is composed by two young ladies: Anna and Giulietta.

The whole work is well thought, arranged and performed. With an important exception: the last track ("Butterfly") seems to be an intruder! The only one in non- italian lyrics.

"La Nuova Predica di Padre O'Brien" (New Sermon of Father O'Brien) is the album's "manifesto". The most varied track, along with the bonus track mentioned above.

Not the most favourite of mine, though. In fact I think, after many listenings, the most convincing song is "Tornare a Credere" (8,36 mns). Do not let yourselves to be confounded by the warm and melodious intro. Pathos is well evident in both the music (with always increasing surprises) and lyrics (which are about having and losing faith, and growing older). The theme is not different from that of the opener track. Faith is not an argument many times discussed in the prog's "vulgata"! Despite that I think is well worthy of attention because of regarding a primary need of Man.

Other tracks are all moderately good. All nice italian symphonic prog with, sometimes, excellent jazz interludes. All in all I have listened for hours this 1973 work and never tired of listening to!

Andrea Cortese | 4/5 | 2006-3-24

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