Need to Believe is the ninth studio album released by Swiss hard rock band Gotthard. It was released on 4 September 2009 and is the last album with singer Steve Lee before his death.

Need to Believe
Studio album by
Released4 September 2009
Recorded2009
GenreHard rock
Length44:15
LabelNuclear Blast
ProducerRichard Chycki
Gotthard chronology
Domino Effect
(2007)
Need to Believe
(2009)
Firebirth
(2012)

In an interview, Lee explained, "We want to encourage. Especially in these times that are full of crisis it is important to believe in something. There is a wonderful saying, that 'will can move mountains'. If you are positively thinking and never give up, you will win in the end. That has always been Gotthard's belief".

The album art, as Lee explained, "shows the philosophy of Gotthard: 'Believe in yourself and do your own thing, even if you think it is impossible sometimes.' Like it seems impossible to press water out of a stone. Need To Believe because faith is essential."[1]

A high quality box version was released including a special gimmick and the bonus track "Ain't Enough".

The band contributed one new song to the film Max Schmeling, a biopic by Uwe Boll about boxer Max Schmeling.

The title track, "Need to Believe", was the album's lead single, which was made available for download 14 August 2009.

The album peaked at No. 1 on the Swiss charts and was certified as Platinum for exceeding 30,000 sales.

Track listing

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All lyrics are written by Steve Lee except where noted

No.TitleMusicLength
1."Shangri La" (Lyrics: Lee, Lynn)Lee, Fredrik Thomander, Anders Wikström4:07
2."Unspoken Words"Lee, Leo Leoni, Freddy Scherer4:24
3."Need to Believe"Lee, Leoni3:57
4."Unconditional Faith" (Lyrics: Lee, Richard Chycki)Lee, Leoni, Scherer3:36
5."I Don't Mind"Lee, Leoni, Scherer3:15
6."Break Away" (Lyrics: Lee, Sheri Pedigo)Lee, Scherer4:02
7."Don't Let Me Down"Lee, Leoni4:20
8."Right from Wrong"Lee, Leoni, Scherer3:45
9."I Know, You Know"Lee, Leoni, Scherer5:23
10."Rebel Soul" (Lyrics: Lee, Chycki)Lee, Leoni, Scherer3:27
11."Tears to Cry"Lee, Nicolo Fragile4:25
Bonus track
No.TitleMusicLength
12."Ain't Enough"Lee, Leoni, Scherer4:24
Japanese edition bonus track
No.TitleMusicLength
13."Speed of Light"Lee, Leoni, Scherer3:22

Reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Hard Rock Hideout          [2]
Jukebox:Metal     [3]
Lords of Metal91/100[4]

The album peaked at No. 1 on the Swiss Charts and stayed for 34 weeks.

Personnel

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Gotthard
  • Steve Lee – vocals
  • Leo Leoni – guitars
  • Freddy Scherer – guitars
  • Marc Lynn – bass
  • Hena Habegger – drums
Additional musician
  • Nicolo Fragile – keyboards
Production
  • Richard Chycki – producer and engineer

Charts

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Certifications

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[12] 2× Platinum 60,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "GOTTHARD - New Album Details Revealed". bravewords.com. 25 June 2009. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Gotthard – Need To Believe (2009)". Hardrockhideout.com. 19 October 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  3. ^ Andy Lye. "Jukebox:Metal review".
  4. ^ "Gotthard – Need To Believe | Review | Lords of Metal metal E-zine – issue 95". Lordsofmetal.nl. Retrieved 13 September 2010.
  5. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Gotthard – Need to Believe" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  6. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Gotthard – Need to Believe" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Lescharts.com – Gotthard – Need to Believe". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  8. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Gotthard – Need to Believe". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Gotthard – Need to Believe". Hung Medien. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2009". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2010". hitparade.ch. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  12. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Gotthard')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 March 2024.