Bonfire, one of my favourite bands of the late 80’s and favourite German Rock band ever is sadly these days diminished in ‘classic line-up’ members. Missed most of all, of course, is the distinctive voice of Claus Lessman who took his leave (not entirely amicably it’s been reported) in 2015 leaving only guitarist Hans Ziller from the band that recorded the evergreen ‘Fireworks’ – and album (now an incredible 30 years old).
In 2015 David Reece (of Bangalore Choir and Accept) took over the vocal role, recording the 30th anniversary album ‘Pearls’ with the band. Less than 4 months after that release Reece had departed, to be replaced by Michael Bormann (of Jaded Heart amongst many others). A further twist came as Bormann wasn’t available immediately, so Alexx Stahl (of Purple Rising and Roxxcalibur) took over touring duties, only to find himself getting the job permanently and recording this album.
So here we are breaking into the next 30 years and we’re sounding a little bit tired. Openers ‘Power Train’ and ‘Stand Up 4 Rock’ are OK, taking a hint from Bonfire’s past but sounding far more ‘Power Metal’ than I’d have liked. In truth it kinda suit Stahl’s voice, he’s a singer who has the screams that Power Metal requires but none of the depth of Lessmann or even the earthiness and blues vibe of Reece.
The scream that opens ‘Praying 4 a Miracle’ sort of underlines that is the territory we’re working in, and while that particular song really lays on the melody in the sing-along chorus it’s only a shadow of the Bonfire of old. Don’t get me wrong there’s nothing as such wrong with ‘Byte the Bullet’ its just that it seems to be unsure of itself, taking the middle ground when it could have moved back to the glory days or forward to new lands.
This album is stubborn though and won’t let up without a fight, and in truth it is remarkably consistent in quality. ‘Some Kind Of Evil’ may not be the best song here but the Classic Rock take, replete with Hammond actually gets you back on board, and ‘Lonely Nights’ slows things down for a nicely serviceable ballad. The title track is back to the sound we started with but somehow better, fuller even; and the curve-ball comes with a cover of Jethro Tull’s ‘Locomotive Breath’ flute-less and full of guitar its a great take on the classic.
The remainder of the album has its moments too: ‘Reach for the Sky’ is a nice new sound for the band, more metal, more dynamics, and it sits well here; ‘Sweet Surrender’ then gets as close to Bonfire’s ‘vintage’ sound as we will this time around and does a great job of it too. Then after the ‘fun’ of the instrumental ‘Friedensreich’; ‘To Far From Heaven’ adds another high – a ripping metallic ride before ‘Without You’ closes proceedings with a piano ballad that sees the ‘new boy’ channel Lessmann.
Sadly the bonus track, a Stahl led version of the Fireworks classic ‘Sweet Obsession’ can never win, but does somewhat put concert goers at ease that the oldies are in relatively safe hands, even if those screams were a tad unnecessary!
Give this one a chance, it will grow on you.
