Top tracks — play these first
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Master of Illusion Start here — This opening track sets the tone for the album with powerful guitar riffs and evocative lyrics about deception, establishing the thematic depth explored throughout.
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Gone Too Far — With its poignant lyrics and emotional delivery, this track reflects on loss and longing, showcasing Gotthard's ability to balance hard rock with heartfelt storytelling.
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Domino Effect — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, combining dynamic instrumentation with reflective lyrics about cause and effect, making it a standout anthem.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks standout moments that elevate it beyond its genre.
What we noticed
- Several songs incorporate layered harmonies in the choruses, enhancing the anthemic quality of the melodies.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo listening experience
- emotional ballads for reflection
- sing-along moments with friends
- vibrant melodies for uplifting moods
- heartfelt themes of love and
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek experimental or avant-garde sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Continues the band's signature sound after a significant loss, showcasing resilience.
- Themes
- change and resilience· love and loss· heartfelt ballads
- Career context
- Released in 2007, Domino Effect marked Gotthard's seventh studio album and their first after the tragic passing of lead singer Steve Lee in 2010. The album represents a continuation of their hard rock legacy while also signaling a shift in the band's sound and lyrical themes. This release aimed to solidify their status in the European rock scene following their earlier successes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Bon Jovi· Def Leppard· Europe
Tracklist
- 1 Master of Illusion Start here 3:57
- 2 Gone Too Far 3:53
- 3 Domino Effect 3:45
- 4 Falling 3:32
- 5 The Call 3:53
- 6 The Oscar Goes to You 4:20
- 7 The Cruiser (Judgement Day) 4:24
- 8 Heal Me 3:43
- 9 Letter to a Friend 3:51
- 10 Tomorrow's Just Begun 3:59
- 11 Come Alive 2:50
- 12 Bad to the Bone 3:39
- 13 Now 4:11
- 14 Where's Love When It's Gone 4:02
- 15 Can't Be the Real Thing 3:33
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Blackbird
Alter Bridge
Shares a similar blend of melodic hard rock with themes of resilience and emotional depth.
Fahrenheit
Toto
Combines powerful ballads and rock anthems, reflecting on love and personal struggles.
I Used to Know Her
H.E.R.
Explores themes of love and loss through heartfelt lyrics and a rich, melodic soundscape.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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