German hard rockers, Bonfire, are thrilled to announce the release of their new studio album, Higher Ground, out on January 24 via Frontiers Music Srl. To celebrate the album announcement, Bonfire have also released a single titled “I Will Rise”.
Guitarist Hans Ziller describes the new single, by saying: “'I Will Rise' is the story of Hans Ziller, who founded the band in 1972 and was fired by his friends in 1989. He was threatened, humiliated and cheated out of millions. In his book Rock'n'Roll Survivor he writes that he died inside at that time. But he doesn't give up and gets his band back - I will rise!”
Ziller also expresses his enthusiasm for the new album: “The new Bonfire album is a masterpiece. Bonfire have reinvented themselves with Higher Ground, never neglecting their virtues - fat hard guitars, incredible solos, great choir passages and stirring vocals. The band plays as one and is at its best.”
Pre-order Higher Ground here.
Higher Ground tracklisting:
"Nostradamus"
"I Will Rise"
"Higher Ground"
"I Died Tonight"
"Lost All Control"
"When Love Comes Down"
"Fallin'"
"Come Hell Or High Water"
"Jealousy"
"Spinnin’ In The Black"
"Rock’n’Roll Survivor" (2024 Version)
"I Died Tonight" video:
Bonfire is one of the most seminal German hard rock bands of the past fifty years. Originally founded as Cacumen in 1972 by guitarist Hans Ziller in Ingolstadt, Germany, the group initially played local venues, steadily building a fan base before releasing their first album under the name Cacumen.
In 1986, the band rebranded as Bonfire, and their debut album as Bonfire, Don't Touch the Light, marked their international breakthrough. They followed it up with Fireworks in 1987, which further cemented their status in the rock and metal scene. Despite their success, Bonfire experienced several lineup changes, including the departure of key members. However, Ziller, the band’s driving force, kept Bonfire alive, continuously adapting to the challenges faced by the group.
In the 1990s, Bonfire briefly disbanded but returned in 1996, with Ziller reclaiming the rights to the band’s name. Since then, Bonfire has released numerous albums and maintained a strong presence on the international rock scene. Bonfire has remained a resilient force in hard rock, continuing to tour and release new material well into the 21st century.
During their most successful phase with album classics such as Don’t Touch The Light (1986), Fireworks (1987) and Point Blank (1989), the group – alongside Scorpions and Accept – counted among the three most popular German acts on a global basis, including triumphal accomplishments throughout Europe and overseas, celebrated tours alongside Judas Priest and ZZ Top, gold records, high chart positions, TV appearances and more than 35 million YouTube views of their hit “You Make Me Feel” alone.
The band’s trademarks continue to be and always have been deeply melodic hard rock songs, driven by captivating guitar parts, grooving rhythms, and haunting vocal melodies. To this day, band founder/guitarist Hans Ziller and his exceptional group regularly awe their fans with new releases and impressive shows.
Higher Ground is a new life chapter for Bonfire and the very first release under the wings of Frontiers Records.
Bonfire are:
Hans Ziller - Guitar
Dyan Mair - Vocals
Frank Pané - Guitar
Ronnie Parkes - Bass
Fabio Alessandrini - Drums
(Photo - Frank Kollbi)
