GOTTHARD is in the final stages of the production of the new album 'Firebirth', which will be released on 1st June by Nuclear Blast.

It is the eagerly-awaited first album with NIC MAEDER.

The album was produced in Yellow House Studios, owned by the band, in Lugano, Switzerland, by guitarist/songwriter Leo Leoni and Paul Lani, who has previously worked with GOTTHARD on earlier albums, (incl. 'G-spot' and 'Homerun').

Said Leo Leoni: "We are delighted with the new album.  Songwriting with Nic and Freddy was a real explosion of inspiration and new ideas! 

Regarding sound and production, we have returned to our roots and we deliberately produced it with a pure - and for Gotthard - typical sound. 

For us, FIREBIRTH is the comeback album with the rating: BACK TO BASIC !”

MAEDER’s voice has been familiar for quite a while.

The first single, released at the end of 2011, with the title 'Remember It’s Me', is still heard frequently on the radio - check bellow.

The free download via the GOTTHARD web page was accessed countless times and started a firestorm of enthusiasm and positive feedback.

Nic Maeder: "It was absolutely amazing to experience the positive feedback from the Gotthard fans and the media after the release of 'Remember It’s Me'.

Now I am looking forward to the reaction to our first album together. The chemistry in the band feels fantastic and we are very much looking forward to being onstage in a couple of weeks and rocking with the fans.“

The first trial by fire will be in Latin America – there will first of all be a warm-up tour in May before the band will take the lead in several well-known European festivals. 

A big headliner tour is already planned for the autumn round the halls of Europe.