Albums: Bonfire – Higher Ground

Bonfire – Higher Ground
Nostradamus; I Will Rise; Higher Ground; I Died Tonight; Lost All Control; When Love Comes Down; Fallin’; Come Hell or High Water; Jealousy; Spinnin’ in the Back; Rock ‘n’ Roll Survivor
(Frontiers)

The German heavy metal rock band returns with their nineteenth studio album, Higher Ground. The title of the album appears to be a suitable one, as the group seems to have discovered a higher level, which is to be commended, seeing as Bonfire has been around for over thirty years.

The album, led by guitarist and founding member Hans Ziller, will appeal to fans of acts from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene, particularly Iron Maiden and Saxon. Both acts have a melodic yet firm grasp on what makes a good rock song: fast and furious guitar riffs, a military drumbeat set against a powerful vocal.

The most commercial cut on the album is I Died Tonight, which proves that Bonfire has not lost any of their pop sensibilities, with the power ballad When Love Comes Down highlighting a more constrained version of the band. Fallin’ comes complete with twin guitars and a pounding drumbeat that recalls classic rock act Thin Lizzy. Bonfire knows what the fans want and is ready to comply here with this strong set of tracks.

With the album concluding with a reprise of their big track, Rock 'n' Roll Survivor, the feeling throughout this fine album is that the band has survived the hard times and is ready to take on a new challenge, which they have accomplished successfully here.