It features singer Demetrio Stratos along with bassist Patrick Djivas (best known for his subsequent work with Premiata Forneria Marconi) and saxophonist Eddie Busnello, both of which parted after the release of the album.

According to the booklet, the lyrics were written by Gianni Sassi (credited under the alias "Frankenstein") and the music was composed by Demetrio Stratos, Giulio Capiozzo and Patrick Djivas (with the exception of "Consapevolezza", co-written with Patrizio Fariselli).

Its title (Arbeit macht frei, "work sets [you] free") quotes the famous inscription located on the gates of many concentration camps from WW2: this acts both as a provocation towards current political events, and as a critic on modern society and capitalism (the latter feeling expressed in the lyrics of the title track and of "Consapevolezza").

[2] "Luglio, Agosto, Settembre (nero)" ("July, August, (black) September") became Area's first and most recognizable hit.

Said to be built around the melodies of Greek traditional song "Gerakina" (but actually inspired by Don Ellis' "Bulgarian Bulge"), the track's lyrics are a bold statement over the current situation in the Middle East.