Possibly the foremost question of the year in the melodic rock world was whether Gotthard could live up to expectations on their follow-up to the universally loved and acclaimed Lipservice platter. Well here comes Domino Effect - so have they succeeded ?? 

Well if you are looking for a Lipservice clone, then you may be slightly disappointed as this album is more in keeping with some of their earlier, darker and heavier releases. But make no mistake – this is still an absolutely top quality album in its own right. All of the elements that you have come to love from Gotthard – brilliant vocals, fantastic melodies, some top ballads and a monster production – are all still there in abundance.  

The album doesn’t have the same instant appeal as its immediate predecessor or any absolute monster hits a la “Lift U Up” or “Anytime Anywhere”, but it is without question a “grower” which gets better with every play. 

And so to the songs. We kick off with “Master Of Illusion” which is arguably the best track on the whole album. A slightly downtuned guitar riff floats in, joined by a touch of keyboard before the drums crash in and the whole band come in with a memorably chugging rhythm which is topped by Steve Lee’s fabulous vocals, leading us to a great chorus. What a start !!! 

“Gone Too Far” follows up and is another up-tempo, dark and heavy rocker. Title track, “Domino Effect” is up next and what a song it is !!  A brilliant chugging rhythm kicks it off and it has the best chorus on the album. A superb piece of melodic rock. 

The album’s best ballad, “Falling” comes next and showcases Lee’s excellent vocals better than anything else on offer. There’s also great use of strings and a military-style understated drum beat. It’s a typically strong Gotthard ballad – I think they do ballads better than any other current rock band and this one sits comfortably alongside anything they’ve ever done before. 

That gives way to “The Call” which some of you may have heard as it is the first single to be released from the album and is another really strong track. A quiet start gives way to some more superb vocal work and an infectious groove, leading to another excellent chorus. 

I defy anyone not to think of Lipservice during the opening bars of “The Oscar Goes To You”. It’s definitely the closest song on this album in terms of style and sound to the last outing and is again one of the strongest tracks on the album. 

“The Cruiser (Judgement Day)” follows and is another in the darker and heavier category. “Heal Me” is more of the same before “Letter To A Friend” returns us to another quality ballad with a haunting feel about it, before it blossoms into something more grandiose as more instruments come in. 

Another ballad, “Tomorrow’s Just Begun” is next and is, for me, possibly one too many, before we return to full rocking mode with “Come Alive” which starts with a heavy bass rhythm and use of the distortion pipe in the mic, as per “The Zoo” or “Livin’ On A Prayer”. The album’s only weak spot, “Bad To The Bone”, follows before “Now” marks a definite return to the quality we expect, featuring another heavy bass rhythm and a chugging guitar riff, taking us to another top chorus. 

Another ballad “Where Is Love When It’s Gone” closes out the album in infectious style, with some accordion work making it sound quintessentially French somehow. 

Judged purely on its own merits, Domino Effect is a really good album. If it was by anyone else, you may rate it even higher than that. It’s only when you know what the guys are capable of, as proved on their last release, which I would personally place in the top 3 albums of the last decade, that perhaps the edge is just slightly taken of it. Unfair, perhaps, but an inevitable comparison. 

Having said that though, it’s still going to take something a bit special to beat it for top spot in the album of the year honours come the end of December.

Domino Effect is released in the UK on April 30th through Nuclear Blast

Let us know your views on 'Domino Effect'

Track Listing

Master Of Illusion
Gone To Far
Domino Effect
Falling
The Call
The Oscar Goes To …
The Cruiser (Judgement Day)
Heal Me
Letter To A Friend
Tomorrow´s Just Begun
Come Alive
Bad To The Bone
Now
Where Is The Love When It's Gone

Line Up

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