Gotthard, Dudley JB's, November 2nd
Gotthard played at Dudley JB's on November 2nd
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By Adam Leveridge
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Tuesday, 03, Nov 2009 01:46
If you asked the man on the street to name some of the top classic rock bands of the past few decades AC/DC, Whitesnake, Bon Jovi and the other usual suspects would more than likely emerge.
One band that may not be on the tip of everyone's tongue is Gotthard, which is, in all honesty, a travesty.
The Swiss melodic rockers have sold more than two million albums in an illustrious career which has seen their last 11 records all debut at number one in the Swiss album chart.
Over here they are less well-known, although on the back of this performance at Dudley JB's all that could be about to change.
Bursting onto the stage amid a shower of red lights, the band proceed to blow the roof off the venue - which, by the way, must be up there with Nottingham Rock City as the finest the Midlands has to offer.
Right from opener Unspoken Words Gotthard has Dudley rockin'. Tracks from new album Need to Believe and old favourites sit perfectly side-by-side as the Swiss veterans give a masterclass in how to make a small venue feel like a stadium.
In fairness, they may have more practice in that than most, as throughout Europe they pack out arenas and it's clear to see that they've brought some of their arena gear with them tonight, as a wall of video screens add to the belief that these guys should be down the road at the LG Arena rather than at JB's.
After an blistering half-hour of rock, guitarist Leo Leoni and singer Steve Lee take things down a notch with a mini-acoustic set in which they take audience requests, which is impressive from a band with nine studio albums to their name.
Lee in particular shines throughout the night. Not only is he a fantastic vocalist, he's also dripping in charisma. The female members of the audience are particularly awestruck, especially when he sheds his jacket halfway through the set to reveal tree-trunk sized arms, as if to prove there's nothing this man wasn't blessed with.
After the acoustic interlude the boys soon snap back into the swing of things with the harmonica-infused Sister Moon and Deep Purple cover Hush going down particularly well.
However, the pop of the night is reserved for set closer Anytime, Anywhere, as one of Europe's finest rock bands draw the curtain on a performance that reignites hopes that they will finally enjoy the success they deserve in the UK.
On tonight's showing, I wouldn't bet against them doing exactly that.
Richard Chamberlain