With the release of “Free”, German rock giants Bonfire let a strange combination of religion, rock and (brit-) pop loose over rock-minded Europe. In reviewing this album I found myself humping between two thoughts. On the one hand one might really dig the album because of the music, which sounds quite fresh (for rock giants that is). Although references to Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams and Oasis are clear, Bonfire knows how to twist and combine these influences. This in a way that even though a lot of pieces sound familiar, there’s a defined, own sound. On the other it’s hard, no impossible, not to get annoyed by the excruciating lyrics. There’s nothing wrong with lyrics being influenced by the believe in God, but one would expect a little bit more inspiration from Bonfire, thinking of our God almighty.

Choruses like “We will be friends until the end, till death do us part. We’re holding on ‘cause we belong, together side by side”, just make me want to throw up. I would probably have given the instrumental version of “Free” somewhere around 8 out of 10 points. But because of the annoying lyrics and the boring vocal melodies, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” makes an exception, Bonfire should be pleased with 6.5 out of 10. I can recommend this album to all non-English speaking readers of Rockezine.