BONFIRE - Cry 4 Help (2012)

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Pioneers of the Melodic Hard Rock scene BONFIRE are releasing a new EP; "Cry 4 Help".

At the beginning of 2012 the band went to Ukraine to play a headlining show and a festival. They also got to see for themselves the recent unbelievable mistreatment of street dogs in the country and to talk to the authorities and the people.
Preceding the Football European Championship in Ukraine and Poland later in the year, the Ukrainian government has allowed a 'cleanup' of the streets by killing hundreds of thousands of these innocent animals.

Singer Claus Lessmann says; "We are releasing this EP in cooperation with the animal protection organization PETA, this insane butchering must stop now".
The song "Cry For Help" was originally part of the band's 2006 album 'Double X', but now has been completely re-recorded in a more catchy 'Radio Version', plus an 'Acoustic Version' which really brings them to the forefront of the song.
Re-entitled "Cry 4 Help" the song lyrical content is still as relevant now as it was back then;
“Who sheds a tear for the crocodile
That you carry as a bag?
Does your mink coat still keep you warm
When you think about its fate?
It ain’t just another protest song
About laboratory crimes
It’s also a cry for help
For the cowards of our time.”

The EP itself contains three different versions of the track with its timeless lyrics, and also two cracking live recordings of the classic Bonfire hit songs "You Make Me Feel" and "Just Follow The Rainbow" which serve to remind you that after all the years that they have been together, Bonfire are still a powerful live unit.
German release only.

You've seen it first here, at zerodayrockz


01 - Cry 4 Help (Radio Version)
02 - Cry 4 Help (Long Version)
03 - Cry 4 Help (Acoustic Version)
04 - You Make Me Feel (Live at The Masters Of RockCZ)
05 - I Need You (Private Version)
06 - Just Follow The Rainbow (Live at The Masters Of RockCZ)


Claus Lessmann - Lead & backing vocals, guitar
Hans Ziller - Guitars and backing vocals
'Yps' Chris Limburg - Guitars
Uwe Köhler - Bass, backing vocals
Harry Reischmann - Drums and Percussion




BUY IT !
www.jpc.de/jpcng/poprock/detail/-/art/Bonfire-Cry4Help/hnum/2293099

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BONFIRE - FireWorks... Still Alive! (2011)

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After the release of their anniversary album 'Branded' early in 2011, Bavaria’s finest rockers BONFIRE are surprising their fans with a second birthday party and a special present; "FireWorks...Still Alive! "

A quarter-century after its release, Bonfire’s sophomore album 'Fireworks', is still hailed as a bona fide classic in the Melodic Hard Rock genre and the only ones who would argue otherwise are those born without ears.
That album had it all: loud guitars, powerful vocals, big hooks, anthemic choruses…in other words, 'Fireworks' had the works, the kind of melodious hard rock magic that seemed so prevalent during the ‘80s.
The glorious decade may be long behind us, but Bonfire has decided to define the present by returning to their past on this special live album. Recorded at a string of concerts in Sweden, Romania, Switzerland and Germany, the album features nearly every song off Fireworks, including "Rock Me Now" which the band had not played live in over 20 years.

The sonic quality of this album is astonishing.
This is a live album for those who loathe live albums. If you’re looking for a raw, unpolished concert experience, then you probably want to exit this review and return to trolling the bootleg sites, because "Fireworks…Still Alive!" almost sounds like a studio album.
Like a criminal that doesn’t care if they get caught, this album makes no attempt to conceal the evidence of its post-recording enhancements.
The audience noise has been removed save for the very beginning and end of the tracks, allowing the songs to be appreciated in all their beefed-up power and glory without suffering the distraction of yelling and hollering and clapping and whistling from the crowd.

What this album really sounds like is a re-recording of 'Fireworks' with the songs being treated to a muscular upgrade, particularly in the guitars and drums department. In fact, while some might consider the following statement blasphemous, the songs sound better here than they do on the original album—they really are that much improved.
Even the gang backing vocals are still present, arguably too stacked to have been accomplished live, so perhaps sign of further post-recording tweaking, but one that works to retain the original structure, composition, and vibe of the songs.

A track by track rehashing of the songs seems pointless, as most Melodic Hard Rock fans have been cranking them up on a regular basis for over two decades now and are well aware of how great they are.
In addition to the Fireworks tracks, the band also included a live recording of "You Make Me Feel" from their debut, which is a decent tune but proves Bonfire didn’t really hit their stride until Fireworks.
Also included is "Just Follow The Rainbow", which appeared on the band’s last album and "I’m On My Way" is a emotional tribute to tragically-deceased Gotthard singer Steve Lee.
One of my favorite Bonfire tunes, "Sword And Stone" off the Shocker soundtrack, is served up with an extra dose of attitude from Lessman while the band just slams it out. Forget the original recording, this is the version you’ll be reaching for from now on.


If you shy away from live albums like a witch shying away from a burning stake, I beg you to give "FireWorks... Still Alive!" a shot.
Aside from some short snippets of audience interaction, what this really sounds like is a re-recorded version of Bonfire’s seminal Fireworks album, and while they say you can’t improve upon a classic, this release proves them wrong.
Bonfire was once considered the Best of the Best in the Melodic Hard Rock business and this updated trip down memory lane will make you remember why.
A Must Have.

You've seen it first here, at zerodayrock


01 - Ready 4 Reaction
02 - Never Mind
03 - Sleeping All Alone
04 - Don't Get Me Wrong
05 - Give It A Try
06 - Fantasy
07 - American Nights
08 - Obsessive Intro (inst.)
09 - Sweet Obsession
10 - Rock Me Now
11 - Champion
12 - You Make Me Feel
13 - Sword And Stone
14 - Just Follow The Rainbow
15 - I'm On My Way (live Gotthard cover)
16 - Let It Grow (edited studio cut)


Claus Lessmann (vocals, guitar)
Hans Ziller (guitar)
Chris Limburg (guitar)
Uwe Kohler (bass)
Dominik Hulshorst (drums)



BUY IT !
www.yesterrock-shop.com/Bonfire-Fireworks-stillalive

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V.A. - Advanced Releases sampler September 4 (2011)

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Jimi Jamison (ex SURVIVOR singer) and Bobby Kimball (ex TOTO lead singer) are joining forces together in a duet album which promises to be one of the highlights of 2011 in the Melodic Rock scene.
The advanced single "Can’t Wait For Love" has a beautiful recurring keyboard refrain, a lovely hummable chorus and short but very sweet solo.


After a 20 year hiatus, international recording artist and actress Fiona is back in action with a new CD, 'Unbroken', produced by James Christian of the famed House Of Lords.
'Unbroken' contains mostly all new songs written by Fiona, James Christian, Tommy Denander, Holly Knight, and Marc Tanner.
Fans will embrace Unbroken’s intense melodic rock sound which is driven by guitarist/songwriter Tommy Denander and topped off with performances from original Fiona band member, Bobby Messano.
The advanced single “Loved Along The Way” hearkens back to her earlier albums with an irresistible melody and chorus.


After the release of their anniversary album "Branded" which early this year has charted in Germany, Bavaria’s finest rockers Bonfire are surprising their fans now with a second birthday party and a special present.
On the anniversary concerts all over Europe, the band played entirely their classic album 'Fireworks'. All these shows have been recorded, and will be released as "Fireworks - Still Alive".
This new CD offers a couple of bonus tracks including the song “I’m On My Way” – a touching tribute on the late Steve Lee, singer of Gotthard, and live recordings of the hits "You Make Me Feel", "Sword And Stone", "Just Follow The Rainbow" plus a different single version of “Let It Grow” from their current CD 'Branded'.


Swedish quartet Hardcore Superstar is celebrating ten years of awesome music by releasing a 'Best Of' compilation.
"The Party Ain’t Over ‘Til We Say So" will feature songs from records released between the years of 2000-2010.
The compilation also includes a brand-new single, “We Don’t Need A Cure.”


Norwegian rockers Lipstick Liontigers are finally releasing their new EP "Aliens from Outer Space (They´re Not of This Earth)".
The promotional single "So Many Miles" is a great classic melodic hard rocker in the vein of mid-eighties Europe and Tobruk.


Mr. Big UK were a British melodic rock&pop band, active in the 1970s and 1990s, best known for their 1977 Top 5 hit, 'Romeo'. They're back in 2011 with a new album, 'Bitter Streets'.
The first single “Georgia” (with a different mix) was released on the 12th Sept. It's a beautifully orchestrated melodic song.


Swedish Westcoast / AOR delicious band State Cows released a wonderful debut album last year in the best Airplay, Pages, Maxus tradition.
Do you miss 1983? In that case, their brand new single "Hard Goodbye" is a wonderful trip to these melodious years. Awesome tune.


Renato Abella is a musician/composer based in New York. He will be releasing an album titled “Beauteous Maximus” in December 2011.
The first single, "I Miss You" features Grammy award winning vocalist Dave Bickler, former lead singer of the band Survivor (Eye of the Tiger era) and lead guitar by Brad Gillis of the band Night Ranger.
Very good song that builds up to a wall of sound.


Mitch Malloy is currently hard at work on his new solo album, which will be on sale in time for Firefest and sees Mitch hoping to outdo his glorious debut in the melodic rock stakes. Having already written songs with Danger Danger’s Bruno Ravel and Harem Scarem’s Pete Lesperence, Mitch is having a blast writing for this new album.
"I think this CD will be more 80s than my first one" says Mitch, "I'm thinking of calling it 'Malloy 2011' or 'Mitch Malloy II' because I feel right now that it truly is the follow up to the first album, although you will hear some new 'from me' things that I haven't done."


Singer/songwriter Jeremey Frederick is a platinum-selling songwriter (under his full name of Jeremey Frederick Hunsicker) thanks to his association with the band Journey – and a writing credit on the million-selling 2008 release 'Revelation' – .
His 1st full length solo CD, “Every Little Thing,” will be released in the autumn of 2011.
The first single "This Is Your Life" is a terrific power ballad showcasing his unique and original voice.
Do you miss Steve Perry? Check Jeremey, it's amazing.


Axel Rudi Pell's is releasing 'The Ballads IV', compiling the softer side of Pell's last releases plus new tracks.
One of the new recordings "Hallelujah", is also published as single featuring a different guitar solo, much calmer and melodic.



01 - Kimball Jamison - Can't Wait For Love (3:55)
02 - Fiona - Loved Along The Way (3:34)
03 - Bonfire - Let It Grow [different single version] (3:26)
04 - Hardcore Superstar - We Don't Need A Cure (4:11)
05 - Lipstick Liontigers - So Many Miles (3:34)
06 - Mr. Big UK - Georgia [Non-Album Mix] (3:41)
07 - State Cows - Hard Goodbye (4:21)
08 - Renato Albella - I Miss You [ft. Dave Bickler & Brad Gillis] (3:25)
09 - Mitch Malloy - I'm The One (5:01)
10 - Jeremey Frederick - This Is Your Life (4:44)
11 - Axel Rudi Pell - Hallelujah [single version with different solo] (4:12)



You've seen them first here, at 0dayrock

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BONFIRE - Branded (2011)

Legendary German hard rockers BONFIRE celebrate this year its 25th anniversary as band.
After their contribution to the World Cup -the single "German National Anthem"- ranking seven weeks in the German charts, the five guys from Ingolstadt are back on everyone's lips with their brand new album "Branded", BONFIRE's first complete studio CD in five years.

After a few seconds you realize that this is classic BONFIRE.
With their usual crisp production, the band is ready to deliver 10 classy hard rockers & ballads, plus 2 old re-worked songs.
Singer Claus Lessmann is still in great form and his distinctive voice is the band's trademark.

Opener "Deadly Contradiction" is classic Bonfire, one of these tunes that you can sing along for days.
"Just Follow The Rainbow" is an awesome big stadium anthem, one of the highlights of the disc.
"Save Me" is another trademark Bonfire-style track, featuring an unforgettable monster hook, a future classic in their catalogue.
"Let It Grow" is the first ballad much in the vein of the Lessman-Ziller album. A real 'grower'.

"Do Or Die" is a fast tempo hard rock remembering the earlier days of the band. Great guitars!
The mid-tempo "Close To The Edge" has a persistent riff and a very good guitar solo.
"Crazy" is simple but catchy and melodic, one of these tunes that makes your feet tap.
Last track, the extremely melodic ballad "Hold Me Now" is one of the best slow songs ever written by the band.
The bonus tracks are re-makes of the band's past works, both receiving an acoustic treatment. Very cool.


"Branded" is a great comeback from this eternal band, very well produced and performed.
They're still capable to deliver a first class '80-'90's hard rock record and not sound dated or tired.
As always and true to their motto ; " Keep the BONFIRE burning! "



01 - Deadly Contradiction
02 - Just Follow The Rainbow
03 - Save Me
04 - Let It Grow
05 - Better Days
06 - Do Or Die
07 - Close To The Edge
08 - Crazy
09 - Loser's Lane
10 - Hold Me Now
11 - I Need You (2011 version - bonus track)
12 - Rivers Of Glory (2011 version - bonus track)


Claus Lessman - vocals, guitar
Hans Ziller - guitar
Chris Limburg - guitar
Uwe Köhler - bass
Jurgen Wiehler - drums


www.bonfire.de
IF YOU LIKE IT, BUY IT!

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