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Artist: Bonfire

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Bonfire Homepage

CD Title: Fire Works

 

Category: Hard Rock

Year: 1987

Label: MSA

Catalog Number: WD 75117

Personnel

Claus Lessmann lead and backing vocals
Hans Ziller lead and acoustic guitars, backing vocals
Horst Maier-Thorn lead guitar, backing vocals
Joerg Deisinger bass, backing vocals
Ken Mary drums, backing vocals

Tracks

1.	Ready 4 Reaction	3:40
2.	Never Mind	3:38
3.	Sleeping All Alone	3:31
4.	Champion	3:30
5.	Don't Get Me Wrong	3:19
6.	Sweet Obsession	3:04
7.	Rock Me Now	4:17
8.	American Nights	3:42
9.	Give It a Try	4:23
10.	Cold Days	4:26
Total Running Time:		37:30

If you see any errors or omissions in the CD information shown above, either in the musician credits or song listings (cover song credits, live tracks, etc.), please post them in the corrections section of the Heavy Harmonies forum/message board.

The music discographies on this site are works in progress. If you notice that a particular Bonfire CD release or compilation is missing from the list above, please submit that CD using the CD submission page. The ultimate goal is to make the discographies here at Heavy Harmonies as complete as possible. Even if it is an obscure greatest-hits or live compilation CD, we want to add it to the site. Please only submit official CD releases; no bootlegs or cassette-only or LP-only releases.

EPs and CD-singles from Bonfire are also welcome to be added, as long as they are at least 4 songs in length.

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Existing comments about this CD

From: Giulia	Date: January 29, 2001 at 14:08
Hi there! I came from Italy and I think Bonfire is a Great r'n'r band. I hope to see Bonfire soon, maybe in Germany. Giulia

From: Rene	Date: April 6, 2001 at 19:16
Im great fan from Bonfire, in my opinion this are the best album from Bonfire, If don't Know this band, hear first this album, is one classic of Hard rock.

From: ricardo	Date: April 22, 2001 at 6:44
this album is really great, my favorite song is Cold Days but all songs rock!, good sound, great choruses, great production from master Michael Wagener

From: ConnectionLess	Date: June 13, 2001 at 16:38
The Best Bonfire album and the best Hard Rock ever. Listen to Champion and Ready 4 Reaction: they kick !!!

From: Hard Guy	Date: July 13, 2001 at 20:51
American Nights is just like Miles Away from Winger! Wow!

From: Oliver	Date: October 7, 2001 at 1:49
This album is a masterpiece -- no more, no less.

From: koogles	Date: January 1, 2002 at 11:11
A real stunning slab of '80s hard rock... 'American Nights', 'Sleeping All Alone' and 'Sweet Obsession' are all bonafide classics. Huge production, monster choruses... what are you waiting for? Get this CD!!!

From: marley's my son	Date: February 8, 2002 at 2:04
I bought a copy of this album and I don't understand why are people so excited with this. Though it doesn't contain a single bad song, no excellent song either. Champion is okey but its still no match to songs like Def Leppard's 'STAGEFRIGHT'.

From:	Date: March 3, 2002 at 21:07
Well marley... The fact is that Bonfire are perhaps the most underrated hard rock band of all times although their great songs while Def are well known but I personally think that this german band is still better

From: dokken6008

Date: March 21, 2002 at 12:13

One comparsion that I am sick & tired of hearing/reading about is the one between the Scorpions & Bonfire. Really besides the fact that that both bands are German and play neo-classical inspired rock & roll, does not mean that Bonfire is some kind of Scorps-knockoff. 'Fireworks' happens 2 be the only Bonfire record that I own as of now, so I do not enough knowledge of the members to truly analyse the group-all I can say that minus a bit too many keyboard synths 'Fireworks' is quite a good cd.

From: Metalhead	Date: March 30, 2002 at 10:21
Maybe the reason why this band is underrated is because they are not that good. If you mean they are not as big as they should have been, then why don't you listen to Racer X, a band that was only big in L.A. yet can blasts this band away. And this is the only German band that has songs that are not strong on melody. Though their album is good, its not as good as the other german bands.

From: dokken6008	Date: April 4, 2002 at 15:47
Well.......there are so many German bands I can't keep track of them. Do you mean Death Metal? Heavy Metal? What? Still, without comparing Bonfire to anyone I have ever heard before and judging the performance I have heard from them by just one album, I would have to say that they are pretty damn good.

From: The Frost	Date: May 19, 2002 at 19:49
I have this album with a different cover the font of mine has 'Horst Maier-Thorn' 'Hans Ziller' 'Claus Lessman' and 'Joerg Deisinger' on the cover with their hair all posed out. Very good album ! Do's anyone else have this cover?

From: dokken6008	Date: May 20, 2002 at 7:54
The Frost-- In fact, I have the cover with four split panels of each of the members. The cd inset is color on the inside and outside front and back covers, but the two pages (print on the front and back) inside the booklet are newspaper print--b/w. I think that we must own the 'harder-to-find' covers.... I guess.

From: Billy Boy	Date: June 4, 2002 at 21:26
I HAVE A WORD: PERFECT !!!

From: motley	Date: June 10, 2002 at 15:32
i can only say it clearly: bonfire is without a doubt the best european hardrock band Ive ever heard. Got 5 cd's with them and they are all awesome!!! Super geil!!! scorps? hahahahahahahaaaaa they havent done anything good since the mid 80's.....

From: tman

Date: June 19, 2002 at 15:24

I consider this one of the best albums I have ever owned. I bought it when it came out. For anyone who likes commercial metal/hardrock this is a great buy. As far as the question about the 2 different cd covers, Bonfire was originally on BMG records and the cover with the band members on it is the original pressing. The one pictured above is the second version when MSA took over their discography. All the songs are the same on both versions, no extras.

From: dokken6008	Date: June 27, 2002 at 4:41
Thanks, tman.

From: 9 CHAMPIONS A 1	Date: July 15, 2002 at 10:46
Su disco mas ca'ero,sin olvidar la melodia,aunque prefiero el primero.

From: B. CASARIN (MEX	Date: July 27, 2002 at 23:09
THE BEST ALBUM OF THE GROUP DONT MISS IT! RATING 8.5/10 EL MEJOR ALBUM DEL GRUPO NO LO DEJES IR! RATING 8.5/10

From: JOURNEY	Date: August 26, 2002 at 5:54
MASTERPIECE!!!! By the way, there are other great band like 'TRACE'!!!! It is marvelous!!!!!

From: JOURNEY	Date: August 26, 2002 at 5:56
MASTERPIECE!!!! By the way, there are other great band like 'TRACE'!!!! They are marvelous!!!!!

From: iaffprofireman

Date: February 7, 2003 at 17:27

This group is fabulous. Listen to this one, then put on Strike 10 (the newest one) and you'll realize, they stick to their roots & signature sound! One of the best bands out there, both then and now. The rock is hard, yet melodic, great to listen to! This is pure tallent. Thank God groups like these guys, Jaded Heart, Axel Rudi Pell, etc.. didn't forget how to play solid rock music! These new American alterna-crap groups should take notice to what real music sounds like! Check out Bonfire, A+++!

From: Bilboker	Date: March 11, 2003 at 15:25
En mi opinion su mejor disco. 9/10 (Que se vienen en Noviembre BONFIRE de gira a Espa'a!!)

From: TED	Date: March 26, 2003 at 16:58
Genial disco ,el mejor de bonfire ,irrepetible el estribillo de 'Never Mind' ...Never mind ,see the rainbow in the sky ...never mind don't you ever wonder why

From: Hantse	Date: April 16, 2003 at 12:29
Great album. I loved it! Can someone just suggest which one to get next in order not to possibly disappoint myself? I am an 80s pop-metal , melodic-rock fan. I'm actually between their 1986 and 1989 albums. Any suggestions? Cheers

From: alejandro

Date: April 16, 2003 at 14:26

Quizas sea lo mejor de Bonfire.Una mezcla del primer Bon Jovi con Scorpions,priorizando la melod'a. En su momento este disco me pareci' grandioso,pero con el tiempo le di su real valor,o seaun disco interesante,bien hecho,pero sin grandes sorpresas,como pudo haber sido el PRIDE de WHITE LION,por ejemplo.Adem's el acento tan marcado del cantante,le quita cierto encanto. De todas maneras m's que recomendable.Los temas,parejos se dejan o'r con agrado. 7/10. carro_martin2000@yahoo.com.ar

From: koogles

Date: April 17, 2003 at 12:03

HANTSE- you wondered which one to go with after 'Fireworks'. I'd say 'Don't Touch the Light' but it's close. 'Point Blank' is good too. I'd get both if I were you. Then get Roko's self-titled (if you don't already have it). In my opinion, that CD is every bit as good as 'Fireworks'. Then if you have any money left over, check out Hotwire, Casanova's debut, Vice 'Second Excess' and Craaft's 'Second Honeymoon' for more top-notch German hard rock with that vintage late 80s sound.

From: steveg	Date: May 24, 2003 at 16:31
one hell of a kick ass album and band

From: RR-Finland	Date: August 29, 2003 at 4:54
Ready 4 reaction!! That was first Bonfire track I heard, and it's possibly the best. This album is solid, everyone who hasn't heard the band should start with this.

From: kim	Date: August 30, 2003 at 17:14
Well, I think there's some catchy songs on here...but some tracks I find rather boring. The songwriting is also pretty clich' in places, but that's just my opinion. The first and last track are probably the best, among with 'American Nights' and 'Never Mind'. For a band coming from Germany, I guess this is pretty good, but nothing too spectacular. Worth a listen for pop metal/melodic rock fans.

From: Elton	Date: October 16, 2003 at 13:01
Tenho que admitir que 'Fireworks' n'o foi o melhor 'lbum de Hard Rock que eu j' ouvi na vida,mas ' muito bom,principalmente as m'sicas 'Nevermind' and 'Sweet Obsession'.Mas n'o vi nenhum diferencial nessa banda entre a maioria das bandas de Hard dos anos 80.

From: GONCHALOPERU	Date: October 30, 2003 at 21:24
'DIISSSSSCCCAAAAAAAAAAAZOOOOOOOOOOOO!

From: Ray

Date: November 26, 2003 at 1:33

Great CD!! If you're a fan of 80's Hard Rock then buy this CD immediately!! Big hair, big choruses, big guitar, big production, big songs, big..........ok, you get it. Some damn catchy power rock songs on here. Big chorus vocals just echoes through the sky. And the first time I heard it, it blew me away!! Especially the opener, Ready For Reaction. Also, Sleeping All Alone, Champion, Don't Get Me Wrong, etc. They all kick ass!!!!

From: ROB GARCIA	Date: January 14, 2004 at 17:37
yeah man! one of the best written pages in german hard rock.

From: yayoruben	Date: January 24, 2004 at 10:03
bueno, sinceramente este 'lbum es uno de los mejores que yo he escuchado dentro de ese hard rock / AOR mas puro de los 80. Discrepo en la opini'n vertida por mis compa'eros respecto a la calidad guitarrera. Ciertamente la secci'n r'tmica es muy buena aunke muy t'pica pero los solos dejan q desear.... LO mejor: Claus Lessmann y esa peazo voz! Me encanta

From:	Date: February 5, 2004 at 3:39
Madre m'a el Ziller se ha lucido con los riffs en este discazo.Se sale.Es la ostia.Saludos desde ASTURIAS.Si alguien quiere cambiar discos de Hard Rock pardao27@hotmail.com

From: Proman1	Date: February 22, 2004 at 22:09
I only have the 1st 3 and out of those 'Fireworks' is the real winner, although the others rock just as good, everytime I listen To 'Fireworks' I miss those days of cruisin' in an IROC-Z with a carload of chicks and a trunkload of beer, this is great party music, it was back then and still is now..

From: dave	Date: May 5, 2004 at 19:17
This is one hell of a record! Melodic rocking songs with big guitars and chourses. Ready 4 reaction is a rock tour de force! Nevermind rock me now and american nights are as good as they come! Could not recomend this album more. pick it up yesterday!

From: michael,belfast	Date: May 17, 2004 at 17:44
this one is regarded as their best, and it may well be, but their other -albums are awesome too, knockout was my least favourite, but fans of = keel, dokken nightranger and white lion should adore this album.

From: Blaine	Date: June 1, 2004 at 0:37
Got this CD in the mail this morning. There's not a bad song on this one. I recommend it for all fans of hard rock. I like the songs 'Sleeping All Alone' and 'Don't Get Me Wrong'. However, my CD has a different cover than the one above with two bonus tracks - 'You Make Me Feel' and 'Fantasy'. 10/10

From: run2u

Date: June 30, 2004 at 18:23

Vaya cl'sico!Y sorprendentemente no es NI DE LEJOS uno de los discos m's comentados/deseados en estos mundos de Dios.'Hace falta que los descataloguen prematuramente para que los encumbremos?En este caso,FIREWORKS es una mezcla de BonJovi&Scorpions,como bien dijo Alejandro,con la producci'n m's t'pica del'crack'M.Wagener.Temas comerciales,grandes estribillos y melod'a a raudales.Adem's un cl'sico de mi infancia 8'5/10 run2u69@hotmail.com

From: Rocker76

Date: July 2, 2004 at 11:36

Many consider Fire Works to be Bonfire's definitive album.My personal preference is the debut but Fireworks is right up there also. This album confirmed to me that Bonfire were one of the all time greats. Every song rocks perfectly in standard Bonfire fashion. A timeless blend of melody, big choruses, keyboards, smokin' licks, etc etc. The 500 char. allowed doesn't do these guys justice. Any fan of 80s metal needs to own Bonfire's first 3 albums, especially this one & the debut. Perfect 10/10!

From: TIM (2)	Date: July 2, 2004 at 11:46
Classic album. My version has 'Fantasy' as a bonus track too, but it's not one of the real killer tracks on this. As you may have gathered, I marginally prefer Fair Warning's first, but I don't remember any of F.W's ballads being as good as 'Give It a Try'. I fractionally prefer this over the debut, but would have to give both 10/10 ratings.

From: Rocker76	Date: July 2, 2004 at 11:53
Hey Tim, my version of Fire Works had 'You Make Me Feel' on it (from the debut). In my opinion, Fair Warning could only wish they had written a power ballad of that magnitude. That guitar intro is about as soulful and powerful as a ballad can get...Nothing FW did comes close to that.

From: Joan	Date: September 4, 2004 at 8:42
American Nights, Sleeping all alone, Give it a try, Champion, Fantasy...vaya discazo. Uno de los motivos por los que me enganch' al hardrock/Aor: OBRA MAESTRA.

From: Geoff	Date: September 5, 2004 at 2:49
One of my favourite bands, and this CD clearly shows why. The opening track is perfect, riff hungry and a perfect mood setter. 'Sleeping all alone', 'Don't get me wrong' are both stunners, 'American nights' is killer... but truly there is not hint of a filler here and the album is a classic of the genre. 'Never mind' deserves mention as a hard rock gem too...

From: Maiden1979	Date: September 9, 2004 at 19:50
One of the best german hard rock albums ever!

From: Lynchomaniac	Date: October 14, 2004 at 11:27
Excellent album, a true classic Masterpiece. A perfect 10 for me

From: Rafo Phoenix	Date: October 17, 2004 at 11:47
UN DISCAZO DE HARD ROCK CON TOQUES AOR TIPO DOKKEN, EL MEJOR ALBUM DEL GRUPO PARA MI GUSTO, DE LOS MEJORES GRUPOS ALEMANES. Don't Get Me Wrong, Cold Days, American Nights, Sweet Obsession, Ready 4 Reaction TEMAS DEMOLEDORES QUE HACEN DE ESTE ALBUM UNA VERDADERA JOYA DEL HARD ROCK/AOR LO DIGO CATEGORICAMENTE. SALUDOS DESDE ICA PERU.

From: Eric	Date: November 4, 2004 at 14:14
Ready 4 Reaction and American Nights are the best songs on this CD. They also have some great ballads in Give It A Try and Don't Get Me Wrong. This band came a little to late in the US and that is really to bad as they are probably one of the best sounding bands I have ever heard.

From: Rich	Date: November 30, 2004 at 13:22
This is without a doubt one of the best Melodic Rock albums ever!!! Huge choruses, great 80's style production and songs that you will listen to over & over again (unless you dont like melodic rock that is, if thats the case go listen to Racer X, losers!!) Put this on whilst getting ready for a night on the town, put you in the mood to live a little.

From: Shoemaker	Date: December 12, 2004 at 11:15
I agree with maiden 1979. Where are those days of hardrock/metal. Most bands from this era suck today!!! (For example Bonfire, Queensryche, Def Leppard, Vicious Rumors, Fates Warning, Dream Theater..)

From: Matt	Date: April 7, 2005 at 22:42
Very good German Rock cd. 'Never Mind', 'Sleeping All Alone', 'Give It A Try' are my favorites. But the whole cd is good.

From: Sven Pelz	Date: May 29, 2005 at 5:43
One of the greatest moments in German Rock.

From: metalmaniac777

Date: September 14, 2005 at 17:14

This album has enough melodic hard rock heat to make a polar bear jump up on an igloo and bang his head to the rhythm of the loud guitars, monster hooks, huge choruses, & big backing vocals. This one'll set your speakers on fire! But you'll be feeling no pain as you dance in the flames, because this album is pure ecstasy for fans of that 'bigger-than-big' late 80s hard rock sound. As you can see from the previous comments, people are pretty worked up about how great this CD is, and justly so.

From: Mediaab

Date: December 18, 2005 at 17:05

What to say about this one? It's simply perfect! Vocals, guitars, bass, drums, production, monster choruses song after song, very melodic yet powerful and good energy - one of the very best releases of the 1980s, and possibly ever in melodic rock. The follow up, Point Blank, could be even one inch better (it has got 15 killer songs, not many albums have that!!), but both are monsters in melodic rock. Can't see many not enjoying these!

From: 8stanley8	Date: April 18, 2006 at 5:29
This one is my second the best album...Every track is amazing...my favourite is DON'T GET ME WRONG,I love this track

From: Melodiker	Date: July 31, 2006 at 12:10
The Best of all ! 9,5/10 Masterpiece ! sleeping all alone........*sing all together* *g*

From: Metalmusicman

Date: December 9, 2006 at 20:15

This is it!!! Pure perfection on disc!!! Not a bad song in sight here. This is Bonfire at the very top of their game. Almost every song on here could have been a top ten hit. Better than 900f the hairbands that were dominating at the time. This album should have been a monster. One of my all time favourite aor albums. If you know the band you already know you need this one. If you don't, this is the best place to start!!! A must have for ant AOR fan!!!

From: SangreAzulForever	Date: January 23, 2007 at 18:26
Great this one!! I really like the melodies on it. The following album is in the same vein as this one. 9/10

From: rockhardrock

Date: August 15, 2007 at 16:29

scorpions are the most famous german rock band,but this band is another one that should be remembered.this record is their best-after that one they couldnt follow that classic-i dont know why.but thank god that they didnt forget to record that one-haha.'Sweet Obsession'has all what you can ask for-great riffs,rhythm and vocals.their best song for shore.Other songs that i recommend to you:'Sleeping All Alone','American Nights','Ready 4 Reaction' and'Champion'.

From: zzardozz666	Date: December 11, 2007 at 14:21
EVERY BAND HAS A MASTERPIECE IN THEIR TIME, THIS IS BONFIRE,S,THEY HAVE NOT ACHIEVED THE SAME ON THEIR OTHER ALBUMS AFTER THIS.A GREAT SLAB OF KRAUT ROCK ,[DONT GET ME WRONG] ABOUT THIS , SHEER CLASS

From: shark attack

Date: February 17, 2008 at 10:49

Classic German Hard Rock, without doubt the Mercedes Benz of the German 80`s Metal scene, up there with the SCORPIONS although without the same sales as the Teutonic masters. Stellar song selection coupled with sophisticated playing skills only slightly dulled by a slightly less than perfect production (a rare slip by Mr Wagner) and choruses to die for, make this an essential 80`s snapshot of a great musical decade. Quite possibly BONFIRE`s greatest moment (to these ears at least) before becomin

From: shark attack	Date: February 17, 2008 at 10:51
becoming the musical equivalent of a Volkswagon.94/100

From: shark attack

Date: February 17, 2008 at 11:03

Classic German Hard Rock, without doubt the Mercedes Benz of the German 80`s Metal scene, up there with the Teutonic masters the SCORPIONS. Featuring stellar song selections coupled with sophisticated playing skills and killer choruses, making this an essential 80`s snapshot of a great musical decade. Quite possibly BONFIRE`s greatest moment before becoming the musical equivalent of a Volkswagon. 94/100

From: metalmastermusic	Date: June 27, 2008 at 23:55
THis is teh kingpin of Bonfire's collection. This album is chock full of some of the best music you will find. Fave track 1,3,5 and 8. This a disc everyone needs to have in their collection. Buy or die on this one. I wish more bands would follow the lead on this album but even Bonfire has not been able to live up to this album again although Strike Ten was close. 92/100

From: Rick Thunder	Date: August 24, 2008 at 21:39
When you play this album, you have to be :"READY 4 ACTION", you're going to find perfect Hard Rock tunes. Listen to it !!!!

From: rockhardrock	Date: May 26, 2009 at 18:16
one of those albums that should have been huge. it's melodic, powerfull and strong. i think they would have sold more copies of this album if they were americans. if scorpions is number one band in germany, they must be number 2. my favs: Ready 4 Reaction ,Sleeping All Alone, Champion, Sweet Obsession (their best song) and American Nights

From: hair metal again	Date: May 11, 2010 at 4:12
amazing release by BONFIRE ,back in 88 .the germans went to the US and with the guidance of michael wagener achieved perfection.i bought that back then and it still sounds so fresh,melodic and hard rockin.there is no such music anymore

From: metalmajo	Date: September 29, 2010 at 11:48
Great album,i love their older stuff

From: DanDare	Date: October 19, 2010 at 18:57
Another album that I love. It's difficult not be hooked by this album if, that is, you like music with power and melody. 'Ready 4 Reaction', 'Sleeping All Alone', 'Sweet Obsession' and 'American Nights' are all killers, but then every track's a winner in my book.

From: pie75	Date: April 15, 2012 at 2:34
i picked this album up out of a $2 bin and thought what the heel i remember them if it's shit it's only $2 but i gotta say i realy like it ready for action won me straight away also love sleeping all alone and don't get me wrong very 80's with the keyboards but great vocals and guitar good production too

From: 123charpenay

Date: May 20, 2014 at 13:24

the title is absoluty perfect.this record is a fireworks of melodic hard rock.after their very great debut ,they offer us a fantastic follow up.claus lessman is a real great singer.only killer songs, no fillers at the horizon.this album is a dream to all hard rock fans of this planet.i ve this masterpiece in dual disc with their first effort.so there is two fabulous bonus tracks "you make me feel"(a superb ballad) and "fantasy" (an exceptional hard rock song).for me bonfire is the best german band ever;after scorpions,of course.

From: 123charpenay	Date: June 13, 2014 at 9:46
the reissue on yesterrock is maybe not a priority.no bonus tracks and the live bootlegg songs have ,yes ,a better sound than "don t touch the light" but they are very average.except track 14" s d i" wich is very interesting,the others songs have...no interest.

From: titothetitan	Date: November 9, 2017 at 11:32
The main problem I have with this album is, there isn't a single slow-tempo/ballad until track 9, 'Fantasy'. And track 10 'Give It a Try' is also a ballad!!! Still, very solid release, well produced and better than the debut.

From: dany69	Date: March 17, 2022 at 21:06
Masterpiece Album ( Their Best ) If you got the first Pressing with Give It A Try & You Make Me Feel A Very Rare One,,,,,, with The 4 Guys Faces,,,,,, Anyway The Real BONFIRE

From: Lincolnwasatyrant	Date: June 8, 2022 at 3:29
Great album on vinyl. Unable to comment on the cd version as I’ve never heard it.

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