Bonfire have been one of the mainstays on the German heavy rock scene going all the way back to 1972 as Cacumen and since 1986 with their current moniker, and Temple of Lies is their latest AFM Records effort, also their second with new lead singer Alexx Stahl. Littered with their expected plethora of hooks and crunchy guitar riffs, Temple of Lies doesn't disappoint and shows Bonfire still 'firing' on all cylinders. After a bombastic instrumental opener "In the Beginning", the band launch into the raucous title track, coming damn near close to melodic power metal, which is then followed up by the hook laden "On the Wings of an Angel", complete with a soaring Shahl vocal and plenty of tasty guitar solos. "Feed the Fire" approaches Dokken territory, a darker, heavy rocker, and both "Stand Or Fall" and "I'll Never Be Loved By You" pack a punch with some heavy arrangements but also melodies that seem shot right out of 1987. Guitarists Hans Ziller & Frank Pané deliver some of their best riffs and wildest solos on the crankin' "Love the Way You Hate Me", easily one of the heaviest tracks on the album, and also deliver some thunder on the memorable closer "Crazy Over You."
With plenty of catchy hooks and metallic guitar playing, the wealth of anthems on Temple of Lies are just impossible to ignore. Fans of Bonfire will be pleased that the band have not for one bit forgotten what got them here in the first place, so be prepared to party like it's 1988 all over again. A fun and enjoyable melodic rock & metal album.
Track Listing
01. In The Beginning
02. Temple Of Lies
03. On The Wings Of An Angel
04. Feed The Fire (Like The Bonfire)
05. Stand Or Fall
06. Comin' Home
07. I'll Never Be Loved By You
08. Fly Away
09. Love the Way You Hate Me
10. Crazy Over You
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