BONFIRE – Higher Ground (2025) *HQ*

German rock institution BONFIRE is back with a new album, “Higher Ground”, the first from Hans Ziller and his bandmates under the Frontiers Records banner, and what impresses is the willpower of Ziller to navigate the band through good times and heavy storms.
Since the band released the rather strong “Fistful of Fire” in 2020, there have been some changes in the line-up. Vocalist Dyan Mair and drummer Fabio Alessandrini joined Bonfire in 2022 and their first effort was to re-record the band’s first three albums.
Now “Higher Ground” it is a CD of completely new material and what roars out of the speakers is very solid melodic hard rock and metal. The 80s roots are very much present and although the album has some heavier moments, it is the balance of melody and heaviness that defines the sound.

After an evocative instrumental opener ‘Nostradamus’, the first song proper is ‘I Will Rise’. It’s an autobiographical piece which centres around the story of Hans Ziller founding the band (originally known as Cacumen back in 1972), being sacked by his friends in 1989 and ultimately reclaiming ownership of the bands name in 1996. It’s a thunderous opener, very personal to Ziller and a wise choice as the first single from the album. Musically brings to mind Yngwie’s album with Joe Lynn Turner, powerful yet really melodic.
‘Higher Ground’ is a slightly slower paced grinder and contains a great vocal performance from singer Dyan Mair who shows off his full range here. ‘I Died Tonight’ is a glorious throwback to the Eighties but souped up with modern day production methods and this is exactly the type of song that would have led a stampede to the dance floor in 1986.

‘Lost All Control’ flies out of the blocks with a pounding and ominous thunderous drums led opening before hitting the ground running at full pace, while ‘When Love Comes Down’ is a Scorpions style majestic ballad that will have those mobile phones lit up and in the air in the live arena.
‘Fallin’’ is yet another song with a huge break, big riffs and a mighty chorus that will have you punching the air, while ‘Come Hell Or High Water’ has big harmonies and is the heaviest track on display here. ‘Jealousy’ is perhaps not the strongest track on the record but has some dazzling twin guitar work and another big chorus which saves the day. ‘Spinnin’ In The Black’ is textbook Bonfire, powerful and aggressive but melodic and immediate. The album closes out with the 2024 version of ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Survivor’ which is a new spin on a classic Bonfire track and it’s a suitably fiery climax to this very good new album.

The appeal of Bonfire has always been about the songwriting. Every record is of the highest quality, containing melodic and catchy rocking songs of the highest order. Bonfire and Hans Ziller never disappoint their fans, and “Higher Ground” is one of the best albums from the band in recent time. It’s plenty of well-crafted hooks, moments of ease and powerful choruses, all served with a wonderful production.
Bonfire stay true to their musical heritage on “Higher Ground” and at the same time this is big modern sounding record with an even more bombastic sound than on the previous few records.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Nostradamus
02 – I Will Rise
03 – Higher Ground
04 – I Died Tonight
05 – Lost All Control
06 – When Love Comes Down
07 – Fallin’
08 – Come Hell Or High Water
09 – Jealousy
10 – Spinnin’ In The Black
11 – Rock’n’Roll Survivor (2024 Version)

Hans Ziller – Guitar
Dyan Mair – Vocals
Frank Pané – Guitar
Ronnie Parkes – Bass
Fabio Alessandrini – Drums

BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/HIGHER-GROUND-BONFIRE/dp/B0DNMTP1WG