Review GOTTHARD “Stereo Crush”

Swiss hard rockers Gotthard have always faced the debate of whether or not they have traded in their rock roots for more mainstream music. No doubt, the band had some songs and moments where the boundaries between rock and almost pop were seamless, but for some time now, Leo Leoni and his bandmates have been returning to the harder rock-based sound.

“Stereo Crush” is the title of Gotthard’s latest effort, an album with twelve new songs, and the start couldn’t be better. The band opens with the song “AI & I”, a title that speaks for itself. But what’s more exciting than the title is the musical approach. Gotthard starts the album with a real rocker. Heavy guitars, a stomping beat and Nic Maeder’s raw vocals in the verses stand for a powerful start into the album. Is it that Gotthard are going back to their roots?

Although there are tearjerkers like “Life” and “Buring Bridges” on the album, it’s the great rock songs that make “Stereo Crush” an entertaining hard rock release. The pounding “Rusty Rose” is such a well done song. It may not be the heaviest on the album, but it ignites the flame of rock and roll. It’s literally a rusty rose blooming.

Gotthard are at their best when they take their foot off the brake and let the spirit of rock’n’roll flow. “Boom Boom” is such a well done rocker. It follows a song that some of you might already know. Paying homage to The Beatles, the Ticino rockers have recorded a Gotthard-ized version of “Drive My Car”. Well, one of the great things about The Beatles songs is that they are simply timeless, and one has to say that Gotthard have done a good job in approaching such a classic. The Swiss hard rockers added some extra adrenaline to the already great song, which is a highlight in the middle part of “Stereo Crush”. And that they wrote a song about “Liverpool” doesn’t come out of the blue either.

Gotthard are at their best when they play harder music like “Shake, Shake” which hits the sweet spot of heaviness and catchiness.

One of the best songs on the album, besides the opener, is the roaring “Devil in the Moonlight”. The guitar driven song shows a band that still knows how to rock. More of these moments would be great.
The closer is another song with more of an off-the-shelf approach. Not that the song isn’t catchy, but it’s a bit too much of an average rock song that can’t compete with the thunderous opener.

“Stereo Crush” is the 14th album of the Swiss hard rockers and what the fans get is well done music that shows all aspects of the band’s sound. Heavy outbursts, tear-jerking moments and a passion for the sound from Liverpool is what the band’s new effort contains. “Stereo Crush” is a good album that entertains from start to finish and provides a good time, something we all need these days.