Bonfire - Don't Touch the Light (MSA) 1986
1. "Intro" (1:57)
2. "Starin' Eyes" (4:49)
3. "Hot to Rock" (3:39)
4. "You Make Me Feel" (4:40)
5. "Longing for You" (3:41)
6. "Don't Touch the Light" (4:30)
7. "SDI" (5:45)
8. "No More" (4:07)
9. "L.A." (4:38)
"Don't Touch the Light" is slick, sing-along heavy metal/hard rock from Germany. However, it is quite obvious that these German rockers have an obsession with American made rock, especially the mid-80's Los Angeles metal sound, as this is the sound they go after. Even the lyrics reflect a love for American rock 'n' roll. They do a good job at it as well. Had I not known Bonfire were German, I would never have guessed it. Laid on top of their melodic rock songs are layers of vocals that create some memorable melodies. As would be expected from a band emulating the L.A. poodle rockers, there are a few mellow ballads, but there is a good batch of hard rocking songs as well. It's these tracks that I like the best. Despite the cliché song title, "Hot To Rock" is probably my favorite track on the disc. It's also the album's hardest rocking track. "SDI," No More" and the title track are also memorable radio-oriented rockers.
Bonfire - Fire Works (MSA) 1987
1. "Ready 4 Reaction"
(3:40)
2. "Never Mind" (3:38)
3. "Sleeping All Alone" (3:31)
4. "Champion" (3:30)
5. "Don't Get Me Wrong" (3:19)
6. "Sweet Obsession" (3:04)
7. "Rock Me Now" (4:17)
8. "American Nights" (3:42)
9. "Give It a Try" (4:23)
10. "Cold Days" (4:26)
Sophmore release from glossy AOR rockers Bonfire. For years I hated this type of corporate hard rock, but there is something genuine about Bonfire. I suppose that it's the slight neo-classical influence that Bonfire bring into the mix. Despite all their efforts to sound American, they can never completely shake their German roots and I think that fact is what attracts me to them. No where is this more apparent than in "Never Mind" a rocker with a big chorus and some smokin' guitar work that reminded me a bit of Uli Roth. These guys also remind of fellow German rockers Sinner's early material. "Sleeping All Alone" and "Champion", in like manner, also contains big, catchy sing-along choruses. The production is top notch, once again tweaked by Michael Wagener, who produced/mixed for Dokken, Alice Cooper,Ozzy, Stryper, Skid Row, Testament and Accept, among others. This particular CD was originally released by BMG with a completely different cover that featured the four band members. When MSA took over Bonfire's catalogue, "Fireworks" was reissued with the cover pictured above. The shots of the individual band members have been moved into the insert.
Bonfire - Rebel Soul (LZ Records) 1997
1. "Wake Up" (5:37)
2. "Just to Say We Did" (5:24)
3. "Before We Say Goodbye" (4:59)
4. "Lay Your Heart on the Line" (4:12)
5. "Somebody's Waiting" (5:15)
6. "Hearts Bleed Their Own Blood" (6:05)
7. "Rock Me Til I Die" (3:58)
8. "Desire" (5:32)
9. "Good or Bad" (4:01)
10. "The First Cut is the Deepest" (3:58)
11. "You'll Be Alright " (5:44)
12. "Dixie " (3:28)
13. "Wild Dixie" (2:50)
I was actually excited to hear this one after reading some reviews talking about the "Southern Rock" direction this album had taken. Well, aside from the Southern Rock looking cover and the name of the album itself, there really isn't anything Southern about "Rebel Soul". This is melodic, 1980's style, rock 'n roll. Some of the songs have nice hooks, but overall this album is lackluster, predictable, radio rock with a slight blues vibe. However, there is absolutely no killer instinct at all. That's not to say it's all bad. "Lay Your Heart" and "Somebody's Waiting" are quality melodic rockers and could have easily have been hits if someone with a big marketing push, like Bon Jovi or Def Leppard, had recorded them. Also, "Good and Bad" is driven by a good guitar riff. OK, so "Rebel Soul" isn't all that bad, but it's certainly not the best these guys have done nor is it Southern Rock as so many reviewers have stated. Perhaps these reviewers never listened to the CD and judged the book on it's cover alone.
Bonfire - Strike Ten (BMG) 2001
1. "Revelation Day"
(:41)
2. "Under Blue Skies" (5:36)
3. "Strike Back" (4:53)
4. "Down to Atlanta" (4:01)
5. "Southern Winds" (4:50)
6. "Good Time Rock 'n' Roll" (5:00)
7. "Until the Last Goodbye" (4:32)
8. "Diamonds in the Rough" (4:13)
9. "Damn You" (4:21)
10. "Anytime You Cry" (5:35)
11. "Too Much Hollywood" (5:06)
12. "I Need You" (4:39)
13. "Angel in White" (4:01)
Man, didn't think good melodic metal like this existed still. Bonfire are a German band that are heavily influenced by the 80's American AOR sound. The thing about this CD is that every song is good. There really isn't any filler material here. There is also a good bit of variety from song to song. I especially like the Southern Rock tinge of "Down to Atlanta" and the closing ballad "Angel in White." It's a shame that good time rock 'n' roll like this isn't 'in vogue' anymore, 'cause I still love hearing it.