It was not fair of Steve sending me this Album, because I like Gotthard (and have done so since a good friend bought me a copy of “Homerun” in 2002) but on the downside, I'm not normally a fan of “Live” recordings.  Basically this is because “Live” albums, in general, don't have the high production qualities that studio albums employ and often fail to capture the full intensity of feeling you get when you go to a live concert.  For those reasons, IMO, I think that “Live” albums are (mostly) second best.  There are a few exceptions to that rule of course, “Live and Dangerous” by Thin Lizzy and UFO's “Strangers in the Night” are a couple of examples, but these exceptions are normally few and far between. 

Well, here is another exception.  “Made in Switzerland” is like a phoenix, rising from the ashes of all the poor live recordings ever made. Made In Switzerland soars up into the stratosphere and kicks some serious ROCK ASS on its way.  This album is destined to be a classic amongst fans and genre lovers alike.  The production and quality is so clear you can shut your eyes and imagine yourself standing in the sweaty, heaving front row. 

The vocals of Steve Lee never falter and remain powerful throughout the album, he must be up near the top of the top 10 rock vocalists in the world, and his crowd sing-a-long at the end of “Let It Be” is easily on par with Freddie Mercury at Wembley in 86.  Leo Leoni and Freddy Scherer axe their way through the songs with consummate ease and with the mixing being in stereo they have their own speakers at times.  FANTASTIC. 

On this album Gotthard treat fans to a mix of their past classics, such as “Mountain Mama” from Dial Hard and “Top Of The World” from Human Zoo, throw in 6 tracks lifted from the utterly brilliant Lipservice album, and for good measure chuck in a few covers (Deep Purple’s “Hush”, Bob Dylan’s “Mighty Quinn” and Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song”).  The whole album is an impressive performance from both the band and the crowd throughout its entirety (I dare any fan not to sing along with the crowd when “Heaven” starts playing). 

"Made in Switzerland" album is without doubt going to be one of the releases of the year for me and with it I feel that Gottard have gone a long way to bringing quality hard rock back to the masses and have set a benchmark for other live performances to aspire to. If there is one thing you do this year, one album to buy, make it this one.  You won’t be disappointed.

Let us know your views on 'Made In Switzerland'

Track List

All We Are
Dream On
Hush
Mountain Mama
Let It Be
Top Of The World
I Wonder
Said And Done
One Life One Soul
Nothing Left At All
Sister Moon
Mighty Quinn
In The Name
Heaven
Lift U UP
Anytime, Anywhere
Immigrant Song

Line Up

Steve Lee - Vocals
Leo Leoni - Guitars
Marc Lynn - Bass
Hena Habegger - Drums
Freddy Scherer - Guitars