You can pinpoint exactly when you know Bonfire’s 17th album is going to be ace. 31 seconds into the second song “Gotta Get Away”, to be precise (the first is effectively an intro) Alexx Stahl simply yells: “rock!” and the only founding member Hans Ziller (he’s been in throughout most of the time since their early 70s roots) lets a solo go.
And, let me tell you, it sounds marvellous.
Bonfire, are one of those bands. Their first album as Bonfire emerged in 1986. I was a fan then, still am. But then, as I say, they are one of those bands. That is to say they had a bit of a dodgy middle period, and a quick look on Wiki at their former members reveals that I am just about the only bloke in Western Europe that hasn’t had a go in the band.
But unlike many of their peers, they’ve come through these trials and tribulations and their recent output has been excellent. “Fistful Of Fire”, though is better than that. In fact – and this is the sort of thing I am meant to say at the end of these things and not the start – it may very well be the best album of their careers.
For that, you can probably thank Judas Priest. I’ll explain. Bonfire toured with Rob and the boys, and it appears to have had an effect on them. As Ziller puts it: “However, this time our approach was even more focused and consistent. I’ve always been the tough guy in Bonfire but haven’t always been able to implement my ideas the way I wanted. But since our tour with Judas Priest, we’ve known that toughness in combination with great melodies suits Bonfire perfectly.”
He’s right too. For while this isn’t “Breakin’ The Law” and it damn sure isn’t “Painkiller”, it is harder edged, more, well metal, if you will.
“The Devil Made Me Do It” with its orchestral opening, is almost like Hammerfall or something, and it pounds. Thankfully, it isn’t some dungeons and dragons cliché, but it does show Stahl to be one of the great modern singers.
His range is incredible. Not just here, but elsewhere, like “Ride The Blade” – which broods with far less predictability than it’s title might suggest. This is a modern looking beast, and speaking of “beasts”, “When An Old Man Cries” isn’t too far from a Maiden ballad either – listen to the intro and then to something off “The Final Frontier”. The track itself is huge. The Scorpions would get themselves another gold disc with it.
Right in the middle of the record is “Rock N Roll Survivors” and of course its about them. It’s so bombastic that given half the chance the hook would set pyro off, frankly. But if that’s the past then the future comes with “Fire And Ice”. It melds 80s arena rock with 21st century skill and production techniques, and does so perfectly.
“Warrior” belts its keyboards out with a Europe-type feel, and if you want a soaring chorus, then this is your boy, right here. The two guitar attack that sets this apart is all over “Breaking Out”, which bursts with an energy that bands in their fourth decade could be forgiven for not having, while the title track, which does an almost state of the nation address, sifts through the wreckage of modern life and rises like a phoenix from the flames.
Like a metal god? Nearly, but not quite. One of the heaviest Bonfire albums, no doubt, one of the best too? Without question. The flames burn better than nearly any of their peers. Raise your fists to that.
Rating 9/10
