China

China is a cornerstone of the Swiss hard rock scene, emerging in the mid-1980s alongside peers like Krokus and Gotthard. Formed in Winterthur in 1985, the band quickly established a reputation for high-production melodic rock, signing with Phonogram/PolyGram for their 1988 debut.

Their sound identity is characterized by a blend of heavy riffs and AOR (Adult Oriented Rock) sensibilities, often featuring contributions from members of Krokus, such as Marc Storace and Fernando Von Arb. Despite frequent lineup changes, particularly in the vocal department, the band maintained a high level of commercial success in Switzerland, with every studio album reaching the national Top 40. Their peak era (1988-1991) saw them working with renowned producers like Dirk Steffans and Stephen Galfas, resulting in a sound that rivaled major US acts like Bon Jovi or Def Leppard in terms of sonic density and radio-readiness. Critically, they are respected for their technical proficiency and ability to evolve, later incorporating bluesier 'Natural Groove' elements in the mid-90s before returning to their classic hard rock roots in the 2010s.