Swiss rockers GOTTHARD are in the final stages of production for their new album, Firebirth, which will be released on June 1st via Nuclear Blast/Warner Music. It is the band's 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.

Says 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!”

Marc Lynn: "Collaboration with Nic was unbelievable – it feels that we have known each other for ever and the euphoria in the band is now burning like a new fire. It is a true rebirth of the zest of 20 years ago, when the band took off 'to conquer the world'. Producing this album with the new line-up was a real 'birth of fire' – we are very proud of our new baby.“

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. 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 confederates are not only here again, they are on fire and ready for the next big step.

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. The German live premiere will be on July 14th as co-headliner at the Bang Your Head!! festival in Balingen. A big headliner tour is already planned for the autumn around the halls of Europe.

Tour dates:

May

12 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Teatro Flores
14 - Antofagasta, Chile - Statix Rock & Socer
16 - Santiago, Chile - Caupolican
18 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - HSBC Hall
20 - Mexico City, Mexico - Circo Volador

June

8 - Sölvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock
15 - Clisson, France - Hellfest
24 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop

July

7 - Locarno, Switzerland - Moon And Stars
14 - Balingen, Germany - Bang Your Head
15 - Vizovice, Switzerland - Masters Of Rock
27 - St. Julien, France - Guitare en Scene

August

3 - Avenches, Switzerland - Rock Oz’Arénes

September

20 - Schupfart, Switzerland - Schupfart Festival

October

9 - Montpellier, France - Rockstore
11 - Barcelona, Spain - Sala Apolo
12 - Madrid, Spain - La Rivera
13 - Pamplona, Spain - Sala Totem
15 - Bordeaux, France - Theatre Barbey
16 - Lyon, France - Ninkasi Kao
17 - Strasbourg, France - La Laiterie
19 - Lille, France - Le Splended
20 - Nottingham, UK - Firefest
21 - Paris, France - La Cigale
23 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Amager Bio
24 - Helsingborg, Sweden - The Tivoli
26 - Karlshamn, Sweden - Compagniet
27 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Trädgårn
28 - Oslo, Norway - John Dee
31 - Filderstadt, Germany - FILharmonie*

November

2 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys*
3 - Bochum, Germany - Ruhrcongress*
4 - Hamburg, Germany - Docks
6 - Uden, Netherlands - De Pul
7 - Biebob, Belgium - Vosselaar
9 - Langen, Germany - Neue Stadthalle*
10 - Ravensburg, Germany - Oberschwabenhalle*
16 - Bamberg, Germany - Stechert Arena*
17 - München, Germany - Zenith*
20 - Wien, Austria - Gasometer
21 - Budapest, Hungary - A38

* Special Guest: UNISONIC