Nolatzco
Assalto alla Luna

The Nolatzco are a rock, post-punk group from Ferrara, whose singer, first bassist (yes, there are two bassists here) and leader is "Nanni" Fannelli, former Quinto Stato and current bassist of RossoFuoco by Giorgio Canali. Canali, who we find here as a co-producer, has a strong influence on the entire album.

This "Assalto alla luna" starts strong, opening with "Babyrivoluzione," a song already featured on the group's previous demo tape and with a video already circulating online. Here the song gains in quality with the new production, highlighting the melodic part while still maintaining a highly energetic punk rhythm.

The album can be divided into two halves, the first more electric and angry, and the second slower and more melancholic. "Educati al successo" is an example, a great punk polemic track where Canali's influence is perhaps most felt, both in the lyrics and the sound, and even more so in "Abusivisness," a very angry track that starts at full throttle without stopping, shouting angrily against American invasions disguised as humanitarian missions.

Among these early violent rock songs is a small gem titled "Tutto svanisce," a track that starts slowly and then accelerates at the end, with the last chorus, as the title suggests, gradually fading away to make room for the power of the subsequent tracks.

The second half of the album opens with the best track, the title track "Assalto alla luna," a song that starts slowly and then gains intensity towards the end, where, after telling everyone to "go to hell," as the lyrics say, a beautiful electric melody closes the piece excellently. The lyrics of this song well summarize the main theme of the album, which is the escape from an unjust and unsustainable world to a better place, in the company of a loved one.

The album continues slowly with the following tracks, "Speed," a piece that, among those already present on the demo tape, benefits the most from the new restyling, and with another of the best tracks of the album, the beautiful "Lullabymoon," where for the first time Fannelli tries a singing style that differs from that great master Canali, showing more personality and achieving truly satisfying results. The lyrics again address the theme of escape, in a narrative that flows smoothly, without being interrupted by choruses, but punctuated by two very well-executed instrumental moments.

The melodic part of the album is momentarily interrupted by "Signorina Diesel," a very disturbed and distorted track, both in sounds and voice, as well as in the explicit and vulgar lyrics, where in the end Giorgio makes a small appearance with his accordion. Perhaps the least convincing track of the album, but one that certainly does not leave anyone indifferent.

The pace slows down again with the last two tracks, "Un caos che ti assomiglia," an almost spoken track reminiscent of Massimo Volume, telling the difficulties of a man forced to renounce his love, not just because of her will, but also that of a judge and the sweet "La ballata dei cuori intermittenti," which gently closes the album.

In conclusion, a great album from Nolatzco, straightforward, direct, sincere, that flows quickly and leaves a mark. Well-written songs, also thanks to the long experience of these young artists, with a very distinctive voice that gains and, at the same time, reflects Giorgio Canali's influence. For those who appreciate good angry '90s punk and those who prefer slower and more melancholic songs, the advice remains the same: listen to this "Assalto alla luna."