You might have read my report about Fire Rose‘s Finale Furioso in December 2024. During the long after-show party, they told us that they would soon be on tour in southern Germany and Austria as support act for a metal legend. So the last band I saw in 2024 is the first band I will see in 2025. Funnily enough, Fire Rose were also the first band I saw in 2024, supporting Ronnie Romero. This time the headliner is even bigger, none other than German metal pioneers Bonfire. at 7er Club.
.
Heroes of my Youth
I can easily count them as one of my heroes from my youth. Apart from a short hiatus in the late 90s, the band has been around since 1972, first under the name Cacumen and since 1986 as Bonfire. The new album “Higher Ground” release is set on 24th January, three singles have already been released and the tour of the same name has just started. Tonight they play the legendary 7er Club in Mannheim. Its capacity is about 350-400 people and it is more than “well filled”, more like “almost sold out”. So here we are, ready to rock through the night with Fire Rose and Bonfire.
Igniting Fire Rose
Fire Rose enter the stage and deliver a firework of double lead guitars and thrilling vocals. Thunderous drums and pounding bass lines form the backbone of their sound.
.
With Raw Energy
Many people in the audience hadn’t heard of Fire Rose before and some fans were telling them what to expect. What can I say, the pure and raw energy of Simi on guitar, Simon on drums, Flo on guitar, Janick on bass and Philipp on vocals is simply convincing.
.
Making New Fans
The crowd goes crazy and especially during the last song “Heroes”, Fire Rose grab the audience and wrap it around their fingers.
.
With Convincing Skills
Compliments about the technical skills go round, it seems, everyone who didn’t know them before is now blown away. At least I see a lot of people asking for the recent album at the merch, which is a good sign for gaining new fans.
.
Very well done!
Congratulations, well done Fire Rose! That’s how support acts should be, wowing the crowd and raising the bar for what’s to come later in the night without stealing the show.
.
Bonfire take over
After a short break and some minor changes to the stage setup, it was time for the headliners. Bonfire’s musicians around the only remaining founding member Hans Ziller on rhythm guitar don’t waste any time and open their show.
.
A wild ride through centuries
The selection of songs is a wild ride through the band’s history combined with songs from the new album “Higher Ground”. And after 40 active years there is a lot of music to choose from and to play – a lot.
.
No Compromises
If I was a bit afraid that Bonfire might sound a bit “too” soft, considering that their albums are more on the melodic metal side, I am proven wrong. It is rough, much rougher than the studio versions. There is no compromise, Bonfire hits you right between the eyes. Straight metal hymns of the finest rule the night.
.
Rock’n’Roll Survivor
And Hans Ziller has been reigning for 50 years. He even wrote a book about it, “Hans Ziller – Rock’n’Roll Survivor”. You can buy it during the tour at the merch or in the usual bookstores. Believe me, it is worth reading.
.
Catch it!
And sometimes you are lucky enough to catch a copy that he gives to the crowd during the show. Or you dance the night away in front of him or impress him with your air guitar skills.
.
Sit-Com and Jokes
Bonfire‘s show is not only some heavy rock ‘n’ roll music, but also a large portion of entertainment, sit-com or jokes at the expense of the other band members. It is not the “fault” of drummer Fabio to be Italian and vocalist Dyan to be Greek, but the jokes are there… “The Greek has done it again”. But that’s just a joke among friends and the audience can join in.
.
Three Generations
What is perhaps most amazing is that Bonfire is a band of three generations, Hans on guitar and Ronnie on bass, Frank on guitar, Dyan on vocals and Fabio on drums could easily go as father, brother, son, grandsons. Well, fresh blood and the experience of the elders keeps a band together and alive.
.
Higher Ground
When I mentioned the new album “Higher Ground” somewhere above, it was available a day earlier in the merch section, along with tour shirts and other memorabilia from Bonfire‘s long history. Chances are there to reach a top position in the charts.
.
Grab your ticket
It was an excellent first concert of 2025 for me. Both bands exceeded my high expectations with ease and enthusiasm. The audience saw two generations of heavy metal at the same level. I can only recommend to get up from your sofa and computer games and buy a ticket for one of the remaining gigs. It will be an amazing experience, I promise!
7er Club Mannheim – an Institution of Rock
And I don’t want to forget to mention the 7er Club. It is a fantastic location in a rather industrial area. There are no neighbours to be disturbed by the “noise”. There is already a long list of bands scheduled for this year. Some of them could easily fill bigger venues, but still prefer the special, friendly, family atmosphere. This makes the 7er Club a legendary institution and a real gem for live music lovers. Go and see for yourself!
Online:
Please buy merch and physical music or downloads from the bands official sources and don’t stream music for free because it steals your artists’ income
Photos taken at 7er Club Mannheim, 23.1.2025 by Friend.X aka Mr. Deep