Need to Believe

Need to Believe is a work on which Gotthard binds weighty, powerful hard rock and a heart-lingering ballad sense in an extremely mature form. The sure power of the guitar and emotional vocals strongly convey to the listener the positive, powerful will the title suggests. A record showing the sure fullness of the mature band. Yet it became the last studio album in the lifetime of the flagship vocalist Steve Lee. From the powerful drive of the opener “Shangri La” and the drama of the title track “Need to Believe” to the lyrical “Unspoken Words,” the songs give a universal, deep warmth with widely open choruses and fine arrangement, while cuts like “Break Away” and “Right from Wrong” convey the work’s fullness. Not merely power, but deeply human melody fills the whole. A record that deeply resonates with listeners seeking human melody holding both power and gentleness. The following year, Steve Lee passed away in an accident. Thus the hope-filled message in this work now presses upon our hearts with all the more weight. Inscribed with his soulful voice, it is a moving, unforgettable, fulfilling work.