BONFIRE – Temple Of Lies [Limited Edition Digipak +2] (2018)

German legendary hard rockers BONFIRE will release their new album, “Temple Of Lies“, on April 13 via AFM Records. Few rock acts can look back at as long and successful a career as Bonfire. Counting the predecessor — a group called CACUMEN, which was also founded by Hans Ziller and featured more or less the same lineup — the band has been around since 1972, has operated under its current moniker since 1986, and released more than two dozen albums.
During the most successful phase of their career, Bonfire was counted alongside the SCORPIONS and ACCEPT as among Germany’s three internationally most acclaimed Rock acts, celebrating major success all over Europe and worldwide.

Bonfire’s trademarks are and have always been deeply melodic hard rock songs driven by melodious guitars, grooving rhythms and haunting vocal melodies. All the features that came together so perfectly on their most popular releases “Fireworks” (1987), “Point Blank” (1989) and “Branded” (2011) are present on their current release “Temple Of Lies”.
The new may not always be Silver, but old will definitely be Gold. A testimony to this fact is “Temple Of Lies”. Making music for close to 40 years, these German have established themselves as legends of the scene.
The emphasis of melody in their music has gifted them an ever-growing fan base and garnered them appreciations transcending various generations.

“Temple Of Lies” is high-flying masterpiece in terms of Classic Rock musicianship. The soaring guitars, the perfectly executed pounding drumming and the beautiful vocal harmonies are going to take all us back to the old times and rock out to a celebration of the ’80s rock era.
Aptly named “In the Beginning” is a short intro to the album. Eerie sounding synths, a vocal prologue and some great sweep picking make way for the title track, which comes in full throttle, riffing apart the senses. The song is quite heavy and the spiraling guitars make it a great choice for an opener.

The record change gears with the Dokken-esque “On the Wings of an Angel”, which is a nice midtempo guitar chugging, vocally soaring track. “Feed the Fire” has one the most epic intros – a fist pumping catchy track nonetheless – with a very Eighties title for a very Eighties song.
The arrangement of songs on the album is spot on. Alternating between low and fast paced songs, the listener is definitely going to be engrossed throughout its scope.

The magic continues with “Comin’ Home”, which is more of an anthem, a one to be felt and enjoyed. This Digipak includes as bonus an acoustic version of the song, something that Bonfire does very well.
“I’ll Never Be loved By You” is a slightly heavier ballad with big hooks and a pleasant Meat Loaf feeling. “You’ve been down this road before” sings Staahl on the faster paced ‘”Fly Away”, whilst “I Help you Hate Me” is a great little song with a headbangy, foot-stampy riff resembling early Scorpions.
Closing cut “Crazy Over You” finishes the album in typical, melodic rocking Bonfire fashion.

The record is well produced and sounds crisp ensuring a pounding impact, while retaining the feel of the ’80s sound. A worthy addition to the band’s back catalog, “Temple Of Lies” is definitely going to amaze the old-school melodic hard rock crowd, which holds high the flag of the classic sound of the genre enthralling the listener with their brilliant musicianship.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – In the Beginning
02 – Temple of Lies
03 – On the Wings of an Angel
04 – Feed the Fire (Like the Bonfire)
05 – Stand or Fall
06 – Comin’ Home
07 – I’ll Never Be Loved by You
08 – Fly Away
09 – Love the Way You Hate Me
10 – Crazy over You
BONUS TRACKS:
11 – Comin’ Home (Extended Acoustic Version)
12 – Friedensreich II Let The Madness Continue (Director’s Cut)

Alexx Stahl (Vocals)
Hans Ziller (Guitar)
Frank Pané (Guitar)
Ronnie Parkes (Bass)
Tim Breideband (Drums)

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www.amazon.de/Temple-Lies-Lim-Digipak-Bonfire/dp/B079VCSYRD
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