REVIEW: BONFIRE – Branded

 

BONFIRE – Branded (2011)

LZ Records / Sony Music

BONFIRE have always been one of the more consistent names in the German hard rock scene, although their contribution to the genre has arguably received less recognition than it deserves. The band established a strong reputation during the 1980s, combining melodic hard rock, powerful guitar work and memorable songwriting, and several of their albums from that period remain highly regarded by followers of the genre. Their subsequent career has been equally notable for its persistence, with the band continuing to release new material and demonstrate that their characteristic sound remains effective.

Branded finds BONFIRE in particularly good form. From the opening tracks, the album immediately establishes a familiar but energetic identity, built around strong hooks, melodic guitar work and a straightforward hard rock approach. The first three songs, “Deadly Contradiction,” “Just Follow The Rainbow” and “Save Me,” are especially convincing examples of the band's strengths. They combine memorable choruses with solid riffs and a sense of melody that places them comfortably alongside the stronger material in BONFIRE's catalogue.

The album also benefits from its variety without losing its musical direction. “Do or Die” brings a faster, more distinctly Teutonic hard rock character, while “Hold Me Now” provides the obligatory but well-executed ballad element. “Close to the Edge” is another strong composition, balancing melody and heavier guitar work in a way that feels natural rather than forced. Throughout the record, the arrangements remain focused on songs rather than unnecessary technical displays, allowing the hooks and vocal melodies to remain at the centre.

Claus Lessmann is particularly effective here. His vocal performance gives the material the familiar BONFIRE character, while the guitars provide the weight and melodic definition expected from the band. The production maintains a polished modern hard rock sound without completely distancing the album from the band's established identity.

Compared with the preceding The Räuber, Branded comes across as a slightly stronger and more consistent release. It does not attempt to reinvent BONFIRE, nor does it need to. Instead, the band concentrates on what they have traditionally done best: delivering melodic, guitar-driven German hard rock with strong choruses and accessible songwriting.

Branded is therefore a very solid addition to the BONFIRE catalogue. It may not radically expand the band's musical boundaries, but it demonstrates that their songwriting formula remains effective and that their legacy is still being maintained with conviction. For followers of German hard rock and for established BONFIRE fans in particular, this is an album well worth hearing.

Chris  Kappas