NEWS: GOTTHARD Release Album “Stereo Crush” March 21

GOTTHARD, the Swiss hard rock force to be reckoned with, is set to reveal the forthcoming full length “Stereo Crush” on March 21st, 2025, via Reigning Phoenix Music. A high-powered, thrilling journey through explosive riffs and compelling hooks awaits in “Stereo Crush“.

The Gotthard stands majestically at 3,192 meters above sea level, and the legacy of the band GOTTHARD is just as impressive. Their signature mix of hard rock power, passion and emotion remains potent even after more than 30 years, making their new record “Stereo Crush“ seemingly effortless one of their finest works yet. This achievement is significant for a band with 16 number-one albums and 3.5 million units sold!

With renewed vigour after the pandemic’s lengthy hiatus, and their fatefully titled record 13 released just before lockdown, “Stereo Crush“ cements GOTTHARD‘s status as highly esteemed Swiss hard rock icons.

On their 14th studio record, the band combines years of experience with the enthusiasm typical of highly motivated newcomers. Guitarist Leo Leoni believes this drive is crucial for maintaining relevance.

“After all these years, we could take the easy road,” he muses. “But that’s not how we work.” Guitarist Freddy Scherer adds, “We’re extremely self-critical, sometimes to excess, but that’s just the way we are.”

A significant strength of the current lineup—founding members Leo Leoni and Marc Lynn, along with Freddy Scherer, Nic Maeder, and new drummer Flavio Mezzodi—is their cohesive bond: a group of extremely talented and like-minded musicians united by a common dream.

With three primary songwriters, GOTTHARD ensures their creative well will never run dry.

“Leo, Nick, and I each bring our unique vision to GOTTHARD,” says Freddy. Leo adds, “After so many years in a band, it’s essential to keep the fire burning. This is the only way to carry the great legacy of the band with dignity into the future.” Bass player Marc Lynn comments, “What I love about ‘Stereo Crush’ is its versatility. It’s fresh and punchy with aggressive sounds.” Nic notes, “At the same time, it’s very musical and song-oriented—it’s a very contemporary album.”

This unwavering commitment to quality and their fans didn’t develop overnight. Since releasing their legendary debut GOTTHARD in 1992, the band has played an astounding 2,000 concerts and achieved the remarkable feat of a quadruple platinum album—a real “Homerun” for the ambassadors of Swiss rock music. “The best part about our long career is that we’re still here, and we still have something to say,” says Leo.

“Stereo Crush“ offers much to celebrate: life, loud music, and the invisible bond that connects us. “Thunder & Lightning” is a stadium song for the ages, embodying the power to lead a major sports team to victory. “Rusty Rose” is a sensitive, intense track that many bands would sell their soul for. “Burning Bridges” reveals another facet of their strength, venturing into modern rock while staying true to their GOTTHARD roots.

A novelty on this album is the renewed collaboration with Chris von Rohr, their former co-producer and fellow songwriter. After more than 20 years, they composed a song together, resulting in “Liverpool“, a vibrant, uptempo rocker with catchy melodies that linger long after the music stops.

In summary, “Stereo Crush” is an album for the ages, thanks also to the unofficial sixth member of the band, long-time co-producer Charlie Bauerfeind. “We wanted to bring a sound full of oomph into 2025, and Charlie was the perfect choice,” explains Leo. He and the band share a mindset; as the guitarist and co-producer explains, “Charlie is a workaholic, just like we are. We’ve known each other for so long now that we understand each other perfectly.”

“AI & I” kicks off the album with a blast of high energy rhythms setting the pace for the album. From the off GOTTHARD‘s sound harkens back to their classic rock influences while injecting modern qualities through the band’s distinctive idiosyncrasies.

The album’s first single is the personal offering “Boom Boom“. Written about the arrival of Leo’s son, it brings catchy lyrical hooks with thunderous driving rhythms.

GOTTHARD strike again with rockin’ the party anthem “Shake, Shake“, before “These Are The Days” sees “Stereo Crush” draw to a close with an uplifting and dynamic rock ballad.

GOTTHARD are:

Nic Maeder | vocals – Leo Leoni | guitars – Freddy Scherer | guitars – Marc Lynn | bass – Flavio Mezzodi | drums

GOTTHARD live:

“Stereo Crush” Tour 2025

21.05.2025 DE Saarbücken – Garage (w/ ECLIPSE) *NEW*

Special Guests: Y&T
Presented by Metal Hammer, Classic Rock, musix,
Rock Antenne, powermetal.de & Bottom Row
23.05.2025 DE Bochum – RuhrCongress
24.05.2025 DE Geiselwind – Music Hall
25.05.2025 DE Frankfurt – Batschkapp
27.05.2025 DE Hamburg – Große Freiheit 36
29.05.2025 DE Munich – Circus Krone
30.05.2025 DE Filderstadt – FILharmonie
31.05.2025 AT Telfs – Rathaussaal

14.06.2025 ES Zamora – Z! Live Rock
27.06.2025 CH Basel – Summerstage (w/ KROKUS)
28.06.2025 DE Ehingen – Martkplatz (w/ KROKUS) *NEW*
20.07.2025 CH Locarno – Moon&Stars (“Steve Lee – The Show”) *NEW*
22.07.2025 DE Regensburg – Piazza im Gewerbepark
06.08.2025 CH Zofingen – Heitere (w/ Orchestra) *NEW*
10.08.2025 DE Tettnang – Schlossgarten (w/ KROKUS) *NEW*
19.12.2025 CH Bern – Festhalle (w/ KROKUS)
20.12.2025 CH Zurich – The Hall (w/ KROKUS)

Info & Tickets

Stereo Crush Credits:
Produced and mixed by Charlie Bauerfeind (HELLOWEEN and BLIND GUARDIAN) and Leo Leoni at Yellowhouse Studio. 
Mastered by Sascha “Busy” Bühren (TrueBusyness)
Album artwork  by Thomas Ewerhard (AVANTASIA etc.)
Photo credit: Manuel Schütz

Stereo Crush Track Listing: 
1. AI & I
2. Thunder & Lightning
3. Rusty Rose
4. Burning Bridges
5. Drive My Car
6. Boom Boom
7. Life
8. Liverpool
9. Shake, Shake
10. Devil In The Moonlight
11. Dig A Little Deeper
12. These Are The Days