The statistics tell a significant story for Swiss melodic hard rock force Gotthard. Over the course of their lengthy career, they’ve had 16 number one albums and sold 3.5 million records – yet remain a relatively obscure act across the US until the 2000’s when signed with Nuclear Blast. Tragically losing original vocalist Steve Lee in a motorcycle accident in 2010, they’ve moved along admirably through Nic Maeder as their lead singer – while latest drummer Flavio Mezzodi came into the fold in 2021. Stereo Crush as the 14th studio record comes off 2020’s #13, released just before the global pandemic shutdown – ideally giving the quintet plenty of time to sink their creative teeth into a solid set of songs.
Listeners can expect a solid, blues-based hard rock foundation with extra groove or shimmering melodic elements – especially in terms of easy-to-handle choruses or solid musical hooks that capture your attention like a lot of the heroes from the 70s/80s that are influential to this style. The competent teamwork in the guitar play of Leo Leoni and Freddy Scherer contains everything one could expect: driving chords, flashy lead breaks, plus supplemental elements from talk box action to pedal effects that raise hands beyond putting smiles on people’s faces. Check out the infectious “Boom Boom” or sleazy “Devil In the Moonlight” for two solid efforts that stand up because of the axe duo’s complementary styles (the latter bolstered by a shake your bass foundation outing from Marc Lynn). Opener “AI & I” hints at the modern advances in technology for the lyrics, allowing Nic’s lower register to seep through in the verses, rising higher to the occasion in an arena-like chorus for the ages, especially the ‘oh, oh, oh…’ style background voices.
Occasional organ use takes on Deep Purple-ish hues on the grittier “Rusty Rose”, while psychedelic components sit side by side to uplifting hooks and melodies for “Liverpool” – very American-ized in its structure/ transitions. Beyond the eleven main originals, Gotthard once again decides to put their own spin on a standard they treasure. This time around, “Drive My Car” by the Beatles is given a modern, swanky take – the guitars a bit more aggressive, while the undeniable catchy chorus continues as a mainstay. You’ll also get some distinctive ballads – of which “These Are the Days” hits home the tenderness and charm the band delivers, taking a harmonica-like start into a weighty effort, injecting a bit of Southern rock measures next to a smooth vocal melody.
Co-produced by Charlie Bauerfeind (Helloween, Blind Guardian), Stereo Crush continues Gotthard’s natural proclivities to write and perform blues-based melodic hard rock that proves this style may not necessarily be mainstream in today’s scene, but deserves attention for its quality output. Could a festival appearance or cruise performance be in the offing to elevate the band’s profile stateside – only time will tell.