ALBUM REVIEW: Monuments – Fire In The Radio

Goth music has had a vast history since its start in the 1980s, with classic bands like THE CURE and SIOUXIE AND THE BANSHEES. Since its heyday, goth music had grown and developed with different styles and evolution of topics the bands sing about. Here, FIRE IN THE RADIO attempt to bring the sub-genre back to basics with their latest album, Monuments. How does this band do with a legendary sub-genre in this latest effort?

Pretty well, there’s definitely a level of respect from the band for the sub-genre and all the greats that came before them, but also adding to the genre with energetic riffs and powerful but captivating vocals. Songs like I Said, Ex-SF and This is My Document show off the band’s strength in vocals and musicianship. They encompass the music of their contemporaries whilst also making their own stamp on the genre, creating this beautiful musical portal of atmospheric goth music, truly making this a timeless album for anyone to come back and enjoy at any point. Even something like Tulare has that retro sound but is also very unique and a lot of fun to hear. 

Whilst the sound of the songs are fantastic, the actual meat of the songs, being the lyrics and themes, are what makes the album. That being said, they’re tremendous. Gravity has so much beauty and strength in what it talks about whilst I Said just slams so hard with what it sings about. Sunday Cassock is silly but also fun to listen to as a whole, and Sing Sang Sung brings that goth punk feeling to the max.

Overall, Monuments is a strong album, a great addition to the goth sub-genre, and definitely a band to keep an eye on for the future. Containing the same energy as a band like CREEPER, the strength of the themes and lyrics like JOY DIVISION, but that special quality included that makes FIRE IN THE RADIO themselves. 

Rating: 8/10

Monuments is out now via Wednesday Records. 

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