Gotthard

Formed in Lugano in 1992, Gotthard is part of the melodic hard rock tradition with a sound that blends riffs inherited from classic hard rock, highly crafted choruses and passages closer to AOR and melodic heavy metal. The band first formed around Steve Lee, Leo Leoni, Marc Lynn and Hena Habegger, with the support of producer and songwriter Chris von Rohr at its beginnings. After a self-titled debut album in 1992, Gotthard followed with Dial Hard in 1994, G. in 1996, then also developed an acoustic facet on D-Frosted in 1997, expanding its range beyond the electric format. Through the 2000s, Gotthard solidified its place on European rock stages with Open in 1999, Homerun in 2001, Human Zoo in 2003, Lipservice in 2005, Domino Effect in 2007 and Need to Believe in 2009, alternating headlining tours, festivals and opening acts for bands like Bon Jovi, AC/DC or Deep Purple. After the death of Steve Lee in 2010, Gotthard resumed activity with Swiss singer Nic Maeder from 2011, without deeply altering its musical identity. This new period includes notably Firebirth in 2012, Bang! in 2014, Silver in 2017, #13 in 2020 and Stereo Crush in 2025. Still led by Leo Leoni and Marc Lynn, Gotthard remains associated with a direct, melodic hard rock, firmly anchored in the Swiss and German-speaking scene.