GOTTHARD
“13”
Album Review by Syl Pdll

8.5/10

There are endless theories around number thirteen, however, for Gotthard that meant a new album that they have simply titled as “13” in allusion to the thirteenth album of their musical career. The Swiss return to the musical scene after three years of absence, being the fourth album with Nic Meader on vocals and with whom they have developed a fresher and more modern facet of executing hard rock.

“Bad News” was one of the teasers for this album and is the song that opens this album. The band, true to their style, presents a pure hard rock song with powerful guitar riffs in combination with the double bass drum and the harmonies of the bass. Gotthard has found a more rock oriented musical style with some melodic accents since Meader’s inclusion in the band.

“Every Time I Die” is a song that features a musical line marked by the drums and bass with a rhythmic base that reminds us of the band in its early days. The guitar performed by both Leo Leoni and Freddy Scherer create a combination that pleases the dynamism that they bring to the song in the chorus part, as well as the solo that is presented almost at the end of it.

“Missteria” is the song that was the first preview of this album. Characterized by alternating with the strength and aggressiveness of hard rock in combination with some softer melodic-oriented harmonies, as its name indicates, we can perceive the presence of a female voice as a vocal accompaniment for Meader. The chorus is catchy.

The guitar chords and the presence of the bass introduce us to “10,000 Faces”. The beginning of the song is smooth both in the development of the music and in the vocal performance, however, when we get to the chorus of the song we can perceive a more aggressive and powerful style, The final part reminds us as if we were in a concert through the repetition of the song title.

The influence that the Swedish ABBA quartet has achieved on the modern music scene and in different musical genres is undeniable. An example of it, we can find it in “S.O.S” where the Swiss retake the essence of the song making it more melodic at the beginning and it will acquire a heavier sound as the song progresses, appropriating it and making it their own, doing a good job.

“Another Last Time” is a rock ballad with a more melodic orientation where Meader amazes with the harmonies he creates through the voice, it is a different song from what Gotthard has accustomed us to, it could be one of the best on this album. Another example is “Better Than Love” whose chords perhaps remind us of the sound that Bon Jovi has been developing in recent years, an interesting combination where these Swedes show themselves in a comfort zone by experimenting with a much softer sound without losing that identity that has characterized them over time.

Gotthard keeps the memory of the wonderful time he developed with the late Steve Lee in one of his most successful albums which was Domino Effect through the chords of “Save The Date”. The Leoni / Scherer combo shows his technique in developing the guitar. It is a song that has been to my total liking.

“Marry Me” is one of the ballads that this album contains and is a song that squanders that feeling of love for the right person. With an instrumentation that combines acoustic instruments, as well as violins and the characteristic sound of the harmonica creating a perfect setting. Nic Meader develops a masterful vocal performance that shows a charged influence of rock in the 80’s.

“Man On A Mission” is a song that combines musical genres already developed by the band throughout their careers such as hard rock, blues and melodic creating an exquisite combination that is enjoyed from start to finish. On the other hand, “No Time To Cry” shows a heavier and somewhat dark facet by the band, the accompaniment of the violins within the song adds a more dramatic essence that contrasts with the voice of Nic Meader.

“I Can Say I’m Sorry” is the second ballad with which the Swiss have delighted us on this album, and which denotes that feeling of nostalgia and sadness through the piano chords and the heartbreaking voice of its vocalist. A ballad different from what the band has presented and that shows a greater maturity and consolidation of its sound.

This album ends with “Rescue Me” that begins with the rhythm of the guitars that denote a quite interesting jazz influence on the beat of the percussions that reminds us of a hybrid between “Sympathy for the Devil” by The Rolling Stone and Black Sabbath. It is a brilliant song and it could become one of the band’s hymns.

Gotthard is one of the bands that I have followed through the years and it is striking the interesting fusion of hard rock, with blues and some melodic elements that has helped him in creating a musical identity, however, with the latter The album has gone further by creating songs loaded with aggressive and powerful riffs, as well as heartbreaking ballads that will thrill more than one. 13 is an album worth listening to and enjoying.

TRACKLIST

Bad News
Every Time I Die
Missteria
10.000 Faces
S.O.S
Another Last Time
Better Than Love
Save The Date
Marry You
Man On A Mission
No Time To Cry
I Can Say I´m Sorry
Rescue Me

https://www.gotthard.com
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