For the past fifty years hard rockers Bonfire have been one of best exports from Germany since Löwenbräu. While never receiving the worldwide notoriety of Scorpions or Accept they have built a loyal following for their melodic hard rock sound and live performances. Originally formed as Cacumen with a classic heavy metal sound they rebranded to Bonfire in 1986 and shifted to a more hard rock/glam metal style. Their 1987 album Fireworks was near perfect hard rock album that basically lived in my Walkman and the video for Sweet Obsession also received significant airplay. Bonfire endured changes in music style, line-up changes and being temporarily disbanded but they have stayed true to their guitar driven, hard rock roots mainly due to the drive of founder, songwriter and guitarist Hans Ziller. Bonfire return with their new album Higher Ground featuring newish members Dyan Mair (vocals) and Fabio Alessandrini (drums).

The album opens with the ominous intro track Nostradamus which hints towards the epic adventure ahead as you dive into Higher Ground. You are quickly rocketed into the album with I Will Rise, a high energy track with blistering solos and catchy hooks throughout. The track is perfectly suited to the raw rock vocals of Dyan, which is again showcased on the chorus of Higher Ground.

The title track brings the tempo back with a message of drive and resilience – reflecting the band’s own story of longevity and being able to still produce such quality songs. Dyan’s vocals steal the show on this track capturing the struggle and persistence with the intensity and high screams throughout. In a throwback to their classic eighties material I Died Tonight is perfect synth driven heavy rock that could have easily appeared on Fireworks. In a complete move away from their earlier material Lost All Control is fast, hard and heavy with huge vocals and shredding solos blasting this track at you it is one of the standout tracks on a very good album.

The power ballad was the staple of every great eighties rock/metal album and Bonfire holds with tradition here with When Love Comes Down. I’m fallin is another song that could easily have a place on Bonfire’s early albums, melodic chorus, big drums and great guitars riffs give this the anthemic feel of early Bonfire.

Come Hell or High Water kicks off a run of darker and heavier tracks. A far stretch from their radio friendly power rock sounds, this song opens with slow, dark and heavy dark guitar riffs and drums before Dyan’s growling vocals and screams take the track into a heavy space that surprisingly doesn’t feel out of place on this album. The heavier sounds continue with the faster and more aggressive Jealousy. The deeper vocals and crunchy guitars are a new sound for Bonfire, but must definitely works as it is also my favourite track for this album. Spinning in the Black opens with heavy grinding guitars and that are replaced with catchy melodies and shredding mini solos throughout, alongside polished melodies and a catchy chorus that would get any stadium rocking along.

To round out the autobiographical feel of this album it is rounded out by a new version of Rock and Roll Survivors originally from the Fistful of Fire album from 2020.

Higher Ground is superb album from start to finish especially the duelling guitars and the huge production feel throughout. Some Bonfire fans prefer what Alexx Stahl brought to Bonfire over his replacement Mair but this new material suits Dyan’s vocals perfectly. If you’re fan of Bonfire or just of good heavy/hard rock this album should be on repeat for months to come.

Higher Ground releases today, January 24th.