When an important member of a band pass away, the whole dynamic of writing songs and even the musical approach can suffer great changes, because the new member would bring along his own set of musical influences, and a different contribution, especially if it's the singer. And GOTTHARD really suffered a painful blow when Steve Lee passed away, but the band endured. And now, after the loss called "Silver", they're back with "#13".

The thing improved a lot, because the musical essence of the past is back, and maybe the help of Francis Rossi (the same one from STATUS QUO) on the writing songs have something with that. It's their accessible and savage Hard Rock/Glam Metal orientated form of music, now with tons of modern weight and hooking choruses (a special feature of their work). Everything in their gears is working, showing that old and good touches of nasty Hard Rock of the past, but they're not living on it, but moving forward.

Paul Lani is the producer of the album (maybe is the same guy who worked with MEGADETH on "So Far, So Good... So What!"), having Leo working as co-producer, and Darcy Proper helped a lot giving a hand on the closing touches on the album. Everything to make the album sounds loud, clear and aggressive, with that ferine touch that dirty Hard/Glam bands had on the 80's. So the songs are in great shape, and everything can be understood. And by the way, Alex Motta just recorded the drums in the place of Hena Habegger because the last one is still with his activities paused. Obviously, one could ask if the songs aren't remind their past, but what a fan could expect from them?

"Bad News" is a might blow in the years, with that catchy energy and nasty touch that the fans are used to (and the melodic vocals of Nic are great on this one), the catchy rhythm of "Every Time I Die" (great work from Marc and Alex on the rhythmic session, and great backing vocals), that nasty catchy riffs that all the fans love to her on "10.000 Faces" (Leo and Freddy are in great shape, indeed), the excellent AOR feeling that fills the melodies of "Another Last Time", "Better than Love" and "Save the Date" (all the three are accessible for a broader public, and what amazing choruses and instrumental work), and the 70's Classic Hard Rock feeling of "Man on a Mission" are their best shots.

Obviously, "#13" didn't come to be their best album of all times, but to prove that GOTTHARD still has a lot of to offer to the fans.