Defrosted, released in 1997 - was Gotthard’s very first live album. Still to this day it’s seen as a cult-milestone within the bands career that helped establish their reputation as the most successful band from Switzerland. For more than 25 years, Gotthard have thrived in the global spotlight; with a career that includes 16 #1 albums, over three million records sold, multiple awards and over 2,000 shows all over the planet.

And now, 21 years after the first edition, the circle is completed as Gotthard return to Sony Switzerland and Nuclear Blast with Defrosted 2, an ultimate unplugged-compilation of Gotthard‘s greatest hits, recorded on the Defrosted Tour in March. Even though the concept was the same as it was over 20 years ago - to capture the unique chemistry between the band and the fans - the circumstances that the band find themselves in are different. Both the band and their audience have grown, and yet after 25 years it‘s the same unparalleled intimacy that Gotthard bring to their live performances that makes this record what it is.

After celebrating their “Silver” anniversary with their latest studio album that achieved chart records and saw the band play shows at a number of prestigious festivals, Defrosted 2 combines the pride of their lengthy career by showcasing 22 of the bands most iconic tracks as well as a sense of ambition as the band look to the future with two brand new songs all in the same release. It provides a perfect cross section of the bands formidable career that can be appreciated by all.

As soon as Leo, Freddy, Hena and Marc begin to play the first notes of the purest acoustic sound while vocalist Nic casually greets the audience in three different languages, even those who are new to Gotthard will soon feel at home. If you‘re not sold by this point then the first chorus of the album‘s first track, the sensual and groovy "Miss Me" will serve as a stark reminder that the only important thing is the joy of live music. Andy Pupato is as faultless behind the kit as he was on the first Defrosted, Ernesto Ghezzi once again proves his talent as a live keyboard player and "The G-Strings" (the string quartet centered around Barbara Kubli) who perform live with the band from time to time, provide a perfect dose of elegance. Newly appointed backing vocalists Maram El Dsoki and Barbara Comi‘s velvety soft vocals and radiant power give the band wings and imbue Defrosted 2 with an exciting new charm.

Whether it‘s 1992‘s "Hush," the gilded "Heaven" from 2000, the ’comeback-single‘ "Remember It‘s Me" after the tragic loss of original vocalist Steve Lee, the hard rocking "Bang!" from the eponymous 2014 album, the tender "Beautiful" or the recent “Stay With Me", Defrosted 2 is a well-paced journey through the years, including breathtaking solos, wild honky tonk interludes ("Sweet Little Rock‘N‘Roller") and sincere declarations of love. And if you think you've heard everything after the wild XY-minute trip through 25 years of classics, there are two new tracks on top. First, there's the mighty ballad "What I Wouldn‘t Give", which tears everything down in a powerful wave of emotion, and the party-hit "Bye Bye Caroline", which is also the first single from Defrosted 2. Lyrically inspired by Status Quo‘s 1973 hit "Caroline", the live-opener of the UK rockers for 25 years, the track was created with Francis Rossi himself, who was also involved in contributing guitar and duet vocals. The song was spontaneously written backstage on the last Rock Meets Classic Tour, when Francis, Leo and Nic sealed their new friendship directly by writing a new song together.

Watch the video for "Bye Bye Caroline" (feat. Francis Rossi) below. In addition, check out what Rossis has to say about the track.

Order the single digitally here.

Defrosted 2 was produced by Leo Leoni in collaboration with Nicolo Fragile and as usual, Charlie Bauerfeind was responsible for the mix. The double album, which will be released in the high-quality Ecolbook format and as a 4-fold vinyl version worldwide on December 7th, was further refined in the Wisseloord Studio Hilversum, where legends like the Rolling Stones, U2 and the Scorpions have already worked and recorded. A lovingly selected array of sophisticated acoustic arrangements and with two and a half decades of Hits, Gotthard celebrate exuberantly great moments, quiet memories and unsurpassed riffs on Defrosted 2– and make both old and new fans a cheerful unplugged gift that has really earned the best place on the shelf.

Defrosted 2 will be released as:

- 2 CD Digibook
- 4 LP Box

Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

CD1:

"Miss Me"
"Out On My Own"
"Bang"
"Sweet Little Rock ’N‘ Roller"
"Beautiful"
"Feel What I Feel"
"Hush"
"Remember It‘s Me"
"Stay With Me"
"Tequila Symphony No. 5"
"Mountain Mama"

CD2:

"Why"
"C‘est La Vie"
"One Life One Soul"
"Tell Me"
"Starlight"
"Sister Moon"
"Right On"
"Lift U Up"
"Heaven"
"Anytime, Anywhere"
"Smoke On The Water"
"Bye Bye Caroline" (Acoustic Version)<
"What I Wouldn‘t Give" (Acoustic Version)

"Bye Bye Caroline" video:

Francis Rossi commentary:

Leo Leoni commentary:

Nic Maeder commentary: