Review | Bonfire – Higher Ground

Frontiers Records S.r.L.

Peaking in the eighties with their US rooted `Fireworks’ album and its underrated follow up `Point Blank’ following their debut `Don’t Touch the Light’, German rockers Bonfire recently reported back rerecording those timeless melodic rock hammers and reviving the songs with new elan and some serious spit and dirt. Though polished at their core, pumped by memorable choruses and ditto hooks, the re-recordings prove the timeless appeal of this German band. The zest of the albums was impressive, with Pané’s shred magnificence blasting through Ziller’s riffs and licks. The powerful Dyan fronting, all songs got seriously spiced up powerful with a redivided return to form, making me anticipate their new record `Higher Ground’ even more. 

LARGER-THAN-LIFE PRODUCTION

With founder Hans Ziller at the helm Bonfire navigates the future of their almost 5 decade spanning career (starting as Cacumen in 1972). Gigantic hooks and powerful breaks are embedded in its larger-than-life production, enhancing the output of their well-constructed hard rock songs, leaning towards melodic metal often. The instrumental marksmanship is outrageous and well captured by a heavy grinding production, packed solid yet overall leaving room in between its densely packed layers. Ziller has made fame for his songwriting abilities and guitar chops over the decades, complementing axe wizard Frank Pané’s impressive melodic soling and marvelous shredding. Leaning strongly on his 80s sound, Pané inject his wizardry with tormenting shreds and powerful bluesy fretboard mastery, that nests immediately.

The twin solos and harmonies he delivers together with Ziller are key on the cocktail presented. It all just adds to the wonderful richness and depth of the songs, held together by their great backbone of drum and bass. Fabio Alessandrini’s drums are powerful and pack great groove while not lacking a versatile touch with double kicks underneath the snare and tom interplay, enhancing the dynamics. Accompanied by bass player Ronnie Parkes’ raw growling technique the duo lays down an intricate rhythmic foundation supporting the song structures.

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL

Opening with the cinematic intro ,,Nostradamus”, the album kicks into gear with the autobiographical track ,,I will Rise”,  a track that reflects Hans Ziller’s personal bipolar struggles and triumphs. He rises and the song opens with a fierce guitar solo before kicking up the dirt. Powerful hammering drums and growling bass propel the dynamic track with Dyan’s astounding raw vocals pitching into the memorable hooks constructed for the chorus. Echoing loud the song is one of the best melodic rock tracks of the current twenties opening 2025 in style. The song keeps hitting with wonderful guitar melodies and solos breaking to the front. It’s a tidal wave of emotions hitting the shores of your hard rocking mind constantly. It is MEGA!

All of this guitar extravaganza and compelling drum dynamics are present throughout and especially ,,Jealousy”. Dyan displaying his powerful vocal prowess and the drums and bass deploy swagger all over. With Pané and Ziller radiating through with their guitars, the song is built around another earth-shaking chorus and bridge, standing tall amidst the spine shaking drums and face melting riff and lick.

MAGIC IS EXPOSED

An adventurous riff opens the video single ,,Higher Ground” that soars with amazing vocal melodies and vocal harmonies. Crawling forward it soars with luring pace before delving into the highly melodic chorus. An eighties-tinged track with roaring pipes raising fists while shaking heads. The solo atop the progressive drum breaks is absolutely magnificent, and when Ziller and Pané get from the alternating tones of the ‘duel’ into the spiraling solo, it exposes magic. The same guitar mastery reverts when the song leads into its dying seconds. Going one step further, ,,Lost all Control” is heavier with melodic metal accolades and loud chants in the style of Keel’s classic rousing 80s tracks with hints of Elegy’s outcalls, yet much more elaborate and dynamic. Modern, fresh and tight, with swirling licks atop the welling keys, and a bombardment of drum and bass. Intense soloing is key and Dyan taps into another section of his immense register. Bordering with power metal the song thunders!

Maintaining this power and 80s grandeur the band goes doom with the epic toned ,,Come Hell or High Water”. Dyan’s vocal delivery is immense and epic bordering with Tony Martin on `Eternal Idol’. He wails and growls, with echoing tenor and basso low. The torment of the songs slow-paced wells with power and raw growl, emphasized by the wonderful drum and bass interaction. The song, like Sabbath on that underrated record, wells with drama and is crafted around impressive melodic lines. The eerie vocal chant in the middle perfectly blends into the psychedelic mood swings and vocoder guitar section.

THE ERA OF ARENA ROCKERS

Though opened with a gloom of doom, ,,Spinnin’ in the Black” evolves as an impressive melodic rocker with tons of crackling riffs and short brisk solos revolving around the slick melodic chorus and vocal melodies. No less than 3 variances on the melody alternate prior to the hook dropping to its chorus. Contradicting like day and night, ,,I Died Tonight” hits with a niche clinical tech tone that evolves into a melodic hard rocking hammer track with tons of melodies deployed in the middle. The chorus is over-the-top and cliché, the keys percolating adds to the tech-AOR luster. Dyan’s vocals change pitch constantly, and it is impressive to hear him matching the tone to the track. Though highly melodic, the song has a captivating heavy briskness to it making it land in their 80s. ,,Fallin” is less tech in its approach but hits the same melodic intensity, locking Dokken’s (read: George Lynch) `Lock and Key’ style into Bonfire’s melodic catalogue. The extended notes make way for intense lick and solo deliveries midway. When the double bass starts to kick it leads the track into a turbulent, compelling classic outro.

If you think it can’t get better than this, Bonfire revives the era of arena rockers and hair metal ballads with the enormous power metal ballad. Acoustic guitars, warm and comfortably strumming supporting Dyan’s amazing gripping vocals. He touches deep and evokes a sniff and a tear immediately. Powering up, guitar and bass take the front with Dyan pouring his heart out, welling with emotions and tragedy. The song unites all ingredients of the best ever power ballads and performs it with panache and refreshing modern stride.

BONFIRE – THE CONCLUSION

With the album rooted in the biography of Ziller, the 2024 version of ,,Rock ‘n Roll Survivor” adds to the tracklist of `Higher Ground’. Pumped by legato chords and slapping bass, the song is polished yet maintains an intensity and modern touch. A great album closer, making it go out in style.

While it’s premature to declare `Higher Ground’ one of the best albums of 2025, this upcoming release of Bonfire promises to be a significant contribution to the melodic rock genre and raising the bar for the year. Drawing from their extensive experience spanning five decades, the band combines elements of melodic metal, AOR and hard rock, showcasing their instrumental prowess and creative songwriting. With Dyan Mair as their vocalist, guitarist Hans Ziller pushes the boundaries of their sound, exploring new melodic territories. The album features a mix of hard-hitting tracks and experimental elements, likely to create memorable moments for listeners. As for the abundance of guitars, in the realm of hard rock, there can never be too much guitar-driven sound, which is a hallmark of the style of Bonfire.

`Higher Ground’ of Bonfire is magic!

Release date: 24 January 2025