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Gotthard
may have been about for sometime but the name is a relative new one many
people in the UK unless you saw them supporting Magnum a few years ago.
'Lipservice' is the bands eighth studio release and the bands debut on
Nuclear Blast Records. The bands decision to leave their old label BMG
and join an independent one may seen to many a bit of a risk, but if
your going to join an independent then join the biggest and Nuclear
Blast is just that.
The German based label has put many bands on the map and although
Gotthard are massive in their native Switzerland and throughout Europe,
they have yet to break in the UK and US. For many bands this is the way
to go, and with Nuclear Blast they have a chance to do just that. This
new release by the band is sure to make a big noise both over here in
the UK and in the states.
The album itself draws its influences from many of the classic bands of
the 70's and 80's and when your hear it you will instantly recognize
them.
The album contains 14 tracks (yes 14 count them) and I find it hard,
well almost impossible to fault any of them. Opening up with 'All We
Are', you get a feel for the quality of track that this album has on it.
The sheer class of the band shines through, with the vocals of Steve Lee
being one of the outstanding things about the band. The guitars of
Freddy Scherer (who replaced Mandy Meyer in the summer of last year),
and Leo Leoni, make this one of my favourite albums of the year so far.
The band have certainly come up with the goods on this album.
Tracks of note on the album are the single 'Lift U Up', a track that
does just that and gives you hope for the future of music these days. A
track that proves that music can still be an enjoyable experience and
not a chore as it seems to many bands these days.
'Cupids Arrow' is another great track with riffs very similar to
Whitesnake. It’s a track that takes that early Coverdale sound and
brings it bang up to date. It's like an old friend you haven’t seen
for a while and makes you feel like a piece of you has been missing all
these years.
'I've Seen An Angel Cry' is a power ballad of the highest standard and
will melt the hardest of hearts with its soaring vocals and rich guitars
make it quite special.
There are so many great tracks on this album I could go on forever
praising each and everyone of them.
I just want to put the whole album on from the start and submerge myself
into the album, put all my worries to one side, and just enjoy the
majestic sound that is Gotthard.
A piece of melodic genius.
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