BONFIRE

"Higher Ground" (Frontiers, SRL; 2025)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

With "Higher Ground," Bonfire have released yet another solid slab of 80s metal, complete with chunky guitars, engaging leads, driving paces and hearty vocals. The band has been delivering these on a mostly consistent basis since they became Bonfire in 1986, and "Higher Ground," shows little, if any, loss of rock'n'roll fire.

My favorite track is the sinister "Come Hell or High Water," with its grinding riffs, Thor's hammer rhythm and a different kind of lead vocalist performance. As for the rest of the tracks here, there's not a lot to say. There's not a bad track on "Higher Ground," but there's not really a true stand-out track either (with the exception of the above-named "Come Hell or High Water"). The album concludes with a re-recorded version of "Rock'n'Roll Survivors (2024 version)," which, like the previous re-recorded albums the band has done, sounds bigger and fresher than the original 2020 recording. And, of course, there's the token ballad: "When Love Comes Down," with a chorus and lead powerful enough to keep you from reaching for the NEXT button.

It's always great to hear new music from Bonfire and "Higher Ground" is no exception. Long time fans will find this album to their liking while those new to the band would be better off starting with earlier releases, or even the MMXXIII series of re-recordings, just to get an idea of the band's origins and sound.

For more information, check out https://www.bonfire.de/.  

"Don't Touch the Light MMXXIII" (AFM Records; 2023)

Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton

So, when I heard that Bonfire were going to re-record three of their classic album, "Don't Touch the Light, " "Fireworks," and "Point Blank," I dug out original vinyl version of "Don't Touch the Light" and gave it a listen. The story is that guitarist Hans Ziller did the same thing, and he thought that the original 1986 album sounded a little dated when listened to today. And he was right. The original "Don't Touch the Light" still rocks, but it's definitely limited by the studio recording equipment and techniques that were state-of-the-art in 1986 but probably aren't being used at all today.

So, Ziller and band decided to try something to freshen up those nearly forty year old albums and they re-recorded "Don't Touch the Light, " "Fireworks," and "Point Blank" in a modern recording studio. The result is the MMXXIII series and, if "Don't Touch the Light MMXXIII" is an example of what the other two sound like, Bonfire did the right thing.

"Don't Touch the Light MMXXIII" is just as advertised: a modern re-recording of the nine tracks on the original album. Of course, the line-up has changed (don't they always), probably multiple times. So there's that change in sound. Plus, the brightness of modern recording techniques really shines here. This album sounds like it was just recorded yesterday, which, in a way, it was.

Also amazing is that the songs work as well, if not better, today. You'd never guess that these songs were written decades ago. The hooks are still there, the leads are still fiery, the lyrics hold up.

"Don't Touch the Light MMXXIII" will have your toes tapping, your head banging and you'll be singing along with every chorus. The original album was terrific. This modern version is brighter, sharper, and sounds brand new.

By the way, the other MMXXIII albums are now available as well.

Bonfire MMXXIII: Bonfire: Claus Lessmann - lead & backing vocals; Hans Ziller - lead & acoustic guitars, backing vocals; Horst Maier - lead guitar, backing vocals; Joerg Deisinger - bass, backing vocals; Dominik Huelshorst - drums, percussion, backing vocals.

For more information, check out https://www.bonfire.de/.  

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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