The Swiss power trio Toad was actually an international band, featuring German bassist Werner Froehlich and two Italians: drummer Cosimo Lampis and guitarist Vittorio Vergeat. The three met in Basel, where spontaneous jam sessions inspired them to form a band together in September 1970. Thanks to Vergeat’s excellent connections, they soon secured a record deal with the small Swiss label Hallelujah. In December 1970, they recorded their eponymous debut album at London’s De Lane Lea Studios (where Vergeat had briefly worked with Hawkwind), with the legendary master of all heavy sounds, Martin Birch, as sound engineer. It made an impact: released in April 1971, the album presents energetic, bluesy hard rock and even proto-heavy metal. The versatile and brilliant fuzz guitar is supported by complex, rhythmically and melodically sophisticated bass playing that sets its own unique accents, as well as powerful, grooving drums with effective, creative embellishments. Benj Jaeger, who was brought in as lead singer for this production, impresses with a raw and charismatic voice.

Numerous concerts followed, including a performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival alongside Deep Purple. They released two further albums before disbanding for the first time in 1975. The original vinyl pressing of Toad's debut is extremely rare and remains a highly coveted collector's item today.