Hailing from Milan, Alphataurus was another of the many Italian groups that seemingly came out of nowhere during the boom of Rock progressivo Italiano in the early 70s. Consisting of keyboardist and composer Pietro Pellegrini, guitarist Guido Wasserman, bassist Alfonso Oliva, drummer Giorgio Santandrea and vocalist Michele Bavaro, the band formed in 1970, played some festivals over the ensuing years, which eventually earned a recording contract with Vittorio and Antonio De Scalzi’s Magma label.

Mona Lisa came from Orléans, France, and followed in the footsteps of countrymate Ange with their so-called "rock theatre:" a uniquely French style of progressive rock inspired by Genesis. A debut album L'Escapade, produced by Ange guitarist Jean-Michel Brézovar, was released by the Arcane label in 1974; but the following year's Grimaces showed progress. By their third album, the band had coalesced into a lineup of guitarist Pascal Jardon, keyboardist Jean-Paul Pierson, bassist Jean-Luc Martin, drummer Francis Poulet and vocalist Dominique Le Guennec.