Bonfire - big time band not known in the states

I never heard of these guys until I went through Michael Wagener's discography and found out he produced one of their albums along with the best albums by Dokken, White Lion, etc.  I thought, "who the heck is Bonfire?"  So I figured it's gotta have a good sound cuz I dig me some Wagener 80's production sound and love nearly everything he ever worked on as a producer sound-wise.

I was right.  Wagener's Bonfire album is tremendous, but unlike other 80's bands they kept it going and didn't change style putting forth great hard rock.  King's X is the most underrated band of all time, but these guys got serious chops and songs, possibly contending with KX for most underrated title.  They are not known in the states at all, but have had a tremendous career making arena rock/metal in Europe.  Unlike King's X their latter day stuff is really strong.

I know Ult actually likes these guys. I've listened and would compare them to someone like Gotthard.

I have listened to a few of their tracks and keep meaning to get one of their albums.  I dig their sound.

I was first introduced to Bonfire when Sword And Stone appeared in the  soundtrack for the horror flick Shocker. I liked them enough that I bought Fireworks. It was a pretty good album, but I didn't give it too much play because I had gone metal thrashing mad and the melodic stuff wasn't grabbing my attention. I should give them another chance since I listen to more melodic stuff now than I did then.

I went and listened to Sword And Stone for the first time in a very long time and it's still pretty darn good.

Black Rider wrote:I've listened and would compare them to someone like Gotthard.

Dude, that's what you said about Saffire, too. 

Gotthard has a very definitive sound. But listen to this and hear the similarity. 

Strangely enough, I had never heard of them until a month ago, and then by accident. I was browsing Howling Mad Murdock videos on youtube, and one of them had Bonfire-Crazy as the music.

I may have to check out both Bonfire and Gotthard.

Be warned, both bands morphed over time.

All bands do for the most part.

I love 80s/early 90s Bonfire. Fireworks is a killer album! I've had it since it was released.


Arttie

Bonfire just came out with a new album entitled Byte the Bullet

oldschooldoom wrote:Bonfire just came out with a new album entitled Byte the Bullet

Yeah...it's decent but doesn't hold a candle to the classic era of the band.


Arttie

I have been cranking their cover of Jethro Tulls Locomotive breath. They had some success back in the 80's. From their new album. It's a cool video to boot. https://youtu.be/JSEGnNocOIs

I think the singer is also in a band called Phantom5