ALBUM REVIEW: #13 – Gotthard

Located directly in the heart of Europe, Switzerland is more known for chocolate, cheese, watches and mountains than it is music, but GOTTHARD are one of the most successful acts to ever come out of the country. Formed in 1992, the band have sold well over two million albums worldwide and, despite losing original vocalist Steve Lee in 2011 following a motorbike crash in the USA, have continued on with a similar level of success. 2020 sees the release of their thirteenth studio album – appropriately titled #13 via Nuclear Blast, which continues their remarkably prolific output of averaging a new album every other year or so.

Taking inspiration from classic bands such as AC/DC, BON JOVI and DEEP PURPLE, the challenge for GOTTHARD is to continue paving the way for the plethora of younger bands who are following the same route. #13, however, is the sound of a band struggling to keep up and being left in the dust by their more youthful compadres. There are a few moments that capture why they’ve become so big at home: S.O.S is easily the best track on the album, boasting both a great chorus and twin guitar solos, whilst the driving No Time to Cry is another peak of duality as the album draws near its conclusion; there are also flashes within the catchy Every Time I Die and Another Last Time as well. However, none of these really hit a height that a band of GOTTHARD’s reputation should be more than capable of and that leaves a sour taste of wanting so much more.

That said, compared to the rest of #13, the four tracks mentioned are light years ahead. There is a run of songs from Better Than Love to Man on a Mission that are ploddy, unmemorable and bang average; in the middle of these is the acoustic Marry You which is wetter than the Marina Trench. GOTTHARD also wear their influences a bit too much on their sleeves; Missteria and I Can Say I’m Sorry could have been GUNS N’ ROSES songs in another life, albeit ones that would have been left on the cutting room floor, whilst 10,000 Faces appears to be a pale attempt to embody the spirit of MOTLEY CRUE, with lyrics that fail spectacularly at being sleazy and dangerous. At thirteen songs long, it’s also way too long; if a few of the flabbier tracks had been removed, this would certainly be a far more enjoyable listen.

Make no mistake – it’s very difficult to take a path as well-trodden as classic hard rock and give it a fresh edge, but certain bands have managed it very well; GOTTHARD haven’t. By and large, nothing that happens with #13 is going to affect them too badly; their last eleven records have all got to the top of the Swiss charts and this will likely be no different. But if you wonder why they haven’t really made waves outside of there, then this is all the proof you’re going to need.

Rating: 5/10

#13 is out now via Nuclear Blast Records.

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