IL PASSO DEL SOLDATO

The fourth chapter in the solid career of Italian heavyweights Nuova Era, here is another example of Walter Pini's considerable keyboard skills within the framework od anti-militarist themes and lyrics, tastefully sung by newcomer Claudio Guerrini, who knows not to hog the spotlight and courteously lets his commanding officer's fingers run rampant over the ivories. A "bombastic" display it is, with wired out , strafing synths dueling with churning Hammond bursts, recalling the flamboyance of the Keith Emerson of yore. Quite evidently a salivating disc for those fans who live and die for insolent, free-wheeling keyboard attacks , with a total lack of acoustic or electric guitars, not a note of flute or sax , no violins, cellos or any other quirky progressive adornment. With only a rythmic duo as a sentinel protecting the flanks, our friend Pini's massive arsenal of pleasure-seeking machines take no prisoners. All in all, a fierce and surefire recording, to be marshalled into a tidy spot between Triumvirat's "Spartacus" and your used and abused copy of ELP's "Tarkus" . No camouflage necessary! 4 silver stars