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BONFIRE
Temple Of Lies

AFM (2018)
Rating: 9/10

I’m not sure if I’m one of the people still drooling over Bonfire’s 2015 effort Glorious, but such was its impact that 2017 opus Byte The Bullet seemed to pass me by, in spite of it being the umpteenth release from this legendary German melodic metal band.

Sure, they’ve had as many line-up changes as albums and yet Temple Of Lies is with us, another sturdy, and sterling rock outing bursting with those expected harmonious rock melodies courtesy of Alexx Stahl (vocals), Hans Ziller (guitar), Frank Pané (guitar), Ronnie Parkes (bass), and Tim Breidband (drums).

After the two-minute intro of ‘In The Beginning’ (a piano-led sizzler) we get the blazing title track, one of several hard ‘n’ heavy expressions that may surprise a few people due to its steely fashion and weighty exterior. Bonfire go all out for this blazing rocker where Stahl’s vocals display a wondrous air of versatility ranging from a higher pitched power metal wail to a darker, more foreboding grumble, as the band bridge the gap between epic Judas Priest and a galloping Sanctuary. The drums hammer away like smoking pistons and the guitars fizz like spiralling fireworks (geddit?) in the night. As expected, the soloing shines through, glimmering and swirling before the band take a breather for a gorgeously catchy harmony, and then it’s back to that heavyweight haste.

‘On The Wings Of An Angel’ begins with fizzing guitar, stabbing drum and throbbing keyboards before they all steadily rock in tandem, and we’re set for another killer tune. This time it’s a simmering slow-builder where Hans Ziller and Frank Pané work in unison to create a glossy, blazing wall of molten lava, before the chorus comes like a huge, heavenly caress to the soul.

Bonfire showcase their ability to work within that huge spectrum of sturdier, powerhouse rhythms and slower, melodious structures, with Stahl’s soulful wails filling the ears with candyfloss and flame before ‘Feed The Fire (Like The Bonfire)’ spreads its fiery wings as a steady rocker with plodding bass and drum that cavort with that groovier riff. This is mid-tempo metal at its finest, emotionally bursting at the seams as the chorus emerges as a contagious power metal anthem straight from the 80s, but given more of a cutting edge.

‘Stand Or Fall’ provides more steel and is another super-charger of a tune to get the fists pumping, although the longest track on offer, ‘Comin’ Home’, is a complete contrast – a bubbling ballad of trickling, nodding percussion and deft piano touches. ‘Comin’ Home’ builds ever so slowly before becoming a monstrous anthem where Alexx Stahl excels himself in masterful fashion, his tones booming across the horizon as the guitars swirl to bring in the night. Damn, if this had appeared in 1988 we’d still be talking about it now as a forgotten gem, but hopefully this one will stick and is proof that there’s still life in the art of classic rock balladry.

‘I’ll Never Be Loved By You’ is another deliciously fiery rocker of steady design, where again we’re transported back to some of the band’s steamier, smouldering efforts. Meanwhile, ‘Fly Away’ begins with a brighter, more jovial melody one would associate more with sleazier, poppier glam metal. However, that doesn’t take anything away from this catchy-as-Hell galloper, although this slice of almost typically Teutonic metal is probably my least favourite lump of glinting pomp metal the opus has to offer.

Thankfully the trudging grit of ‘Love The Way You Hate Me’ comes in with a scorching chug before a sudden unexpected change, whereby the band breaks into an almost funky, cool strut. But this is just a downright steamy, sassy and ballsy heap of high-spirited vocal croons and a cascading bass, and again that chorus just digs its claws in to the ears and never lets go. “I’m gona live my life my way” beams Stahl, as a labyrinth of fizzing leads take over to a backdrop of pounding drums.

‘Crazy For You’ comes in with pulsating synths and we’re back in steamy AOR land. Here, Bonfire create an Americanised, late-night radio rocker of the highest order, with Gothic synths and Stahl’s unusual vocal dynamics as he navigates his way through the rhythms before the orgasmic 80s styled chorus comes rolling in. There are hints of classic Bon Jovi, but there’s also so much more.

With Temple Of Lies, the band have come complete with a sweltering hot production full of cleverly-constructed yet seemingly effortless furnaces to blast us into oblivion. Bonfire remains one of the most prolific and consistent band’s within the metal genre, and that’s no lie.

Neil Arnold

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