Album number four for the ever solid German rockers, Bonfire. Whereas most bands of this ilk disappeared with the great grunge unpleasantness, Bonfire have carried on consistently releasing quality albums right up until 2020’s Fistful Of Fire.
The album is all original compositions, apart from a cover of Billy Squier’s massive hit The Stroke, which I’m guessing was chosen because Mack produced both records. Now, with a song that huge you either have to do something out of the box and original or just don’t bother, and basically this is a note for note copy, but not as good. The middle section is okay with the heavy chords and maybe that’s what they should have done with the rest of the song, to beef it up a bit.
Frankly, their own songs are more than adequate and the having a good time vibe is what they are good at. Dirty Love is a fun rocker tune with a great groove and huge vocal harmonies. Shake Down is another tune with the same vibe and groove. and it is just a great rock song. Side 2 opener Hold You is a fun track. That Def Leppard vibe works really well and you could argue that Mack is using that Stroke beat and groove again here. When they rock out they are a really great band and Down And Out does just that, it’s my favourite track on the album.
A very underrated band that deserve more credit than they get.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
