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

This is another great varied work of the Italian symphonic progressive style. The compositions were really avant-garde for 1973: it easily sounds 1975. No tracks sound alike. The lead vocals are sung in Italian. The miscellaneous and very varied keyboards have a strong Italian flavor, a bit like Locanda Delle Fate, but it also includes influences from ELP and Triumvirat. There are often some percussions of the tam-tam family. "La Nuova predica di padre O'Brien" contains very complex keyboards arrangements full of clavinet and Hammond organ among others, and flute parts a la Focus and Jethro Tull. "Ho visto poi" contains mellow bits made of electric guitars a la Steve Howe (and we should say Glass Hammer too!) and peaceful organ a la Led Zeppelin's "Thank You"; the more loaded bits may remind you the early Gentle Giant. The very progressive "Tornare a credere" contains very catchy Italian female backing vocals, excellent piano, organ, anthemic moog solos and memorable flute parts. "Una notte sul monte calvo" partly reminds Triumvirat as reveal the dirty Hammond organ; there are some visceral hard rock electric guitar solos and jazzy electric piano a la George Duke. "Ibernazione" has moog solos and piano a la ELP, and some clavinet and flutes a la Locanda Delle Fate. "Quando l'erba vestiva la terra" has densely floating streams of keyboards a la Le Orme; then, an abrupt change of air occurs, leading to clinical Italian keyboards sounds, and finally terminating with a weird sax and drums solos. "Butterfly" starts with gentle acoustic guitars, and then the addition of female backing vocals to the male vocals will definitely remind you the Renaissance band; there is even an excellent Jethro Tull-esque flute solo and some interesting clavinet parts!

Rating: 4.5 stars