Breakthrough

The Zoo Crew is spinning the heavy prog vibes of Atomic Rooster’s “Breakthrough” from their 1971 album In Hearing of Atomic Rooster, a track that’s got the Zoo Freaks grooving. This song, kicking off the album with its pounding piano and drum-driven energy, is a fan favorite for its catchy riff and dynamic shifts between moody atmospheres and high-octane rock. According to a review on ProgArchives, “Breakthrough” stands out as one of the band’s best, blending a funkier, jazzier feel compared to their earlier, darker proto-metal sound. The track was written by Vincent Crane and his first wife, Pat Darnell, who contributed lyrics to several songs on the album, adding a personal touch to its raw power.

One juicy piece of trivia about “Breakthrough” comes from the album’s chaotic recording process. The inner sleeve of In Hearing of Atomic Rooster shows a quartet, but those four musicians—Vincent Crane, John Du Cann, Paul Hammond, and Pete French—never actually played together. As noted in a 2018 review on The Progressive Aspect, Crane brought in vocalist Pete French from Leaf Hound to replace Du Cann’s vocals, and tensions led to Crane mixing down Du Cann’s guitar parts. This caused a rift, with Du Cann and Hammond leaving to form Bullet (later Hard Stuff) before the album was even finished. French’s soulful, commanding voice on “Breakthrough” became a defining element, but the lineup dissolved soon after, making the track a snapshot of a band at its peak and on the verge of collapse.

Another tidbit from a 2021 review on Albumrock praises “Breakthrough” for its “piano-bar ambiance” and rhythmic ruptures, highlighting how it perfectly marries hard rock with progressive elements. Fans on Reddit have recently rediscovered the song, with one user calling it a “monster of rock” that edges into the progressive and even hints at the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. The song’s cover art, designed by Roger Dean, is also notable. Unlike Dean’s usual fantastical style, the artwork depicts a granny shocked by hippies in her ear trumpet, a quirky visual that matches the album’s eclectic sound, as mentioned on Discogs.

Atomic Rooster got its start in 1969, rising from the ashes of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Keyboardist Vincent Crane and drummer Carl Palmer, fresh off the psychedelic success of the hit “Fire,” formed the band after the Crazy World’s U.S. tour fell apart. As detailed in their Wikipedia bio, Crane and Palmer initially planned to collaborate with Brian Jones, but after Jones’s death, they recruited bassist-vocalist Nick Graham and adopted the name Atomic Rooster, inspired by the U.S. band Rhinoceros. Their debut album, Atomic Roooster, dropped in 1970 via B&C Records, showcasing a heavy, organ-driven sound. Palmer soon left for Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and Crane continued with new members like John Du Cann, cementing the band’s early ’70s prog-rock legacy with hits like “Tomorrow Night” and “Devil’s Answer.”

For the latest on Atomic Rooster, check out their official site at atomicrooster.com, though it’s more of a historical archive. Their Facebook page keeps fans updated on reissues and tributes, while their Instagram shares retro photos and album art. On X, the band’s account posts about ongoing performances by the reformed lineup, led by Pete French and Steve Bolton since 2016. Fans can dive deeper on sites like ProgArchives or join discussions in the Atomic Rooster Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can connect over their love for “Breakthrough” and the band’s wild, heavy prog journey.