The Fire is the fourth studio album by American rock band Senses Fail and was released on October 26, 2010 through Vagrant Records.

[1] Senses Fail's third studio album Life Is Not a Waiting Room (2008) was released the week following the 2008 financial market crashing.

'"[2] In August 2009, guitarist Heath Saraceno left the band, citing a need to leave the music industry and seek a different career.

[6] Recording for their next album took place at Salad Days Studios, close to Baltimore, Maryland with producer Brian McTernan in June 2010.

[7] Paul Leavitt acted as the Pro Tools engineer; McTernan mixed the recordings, before they were mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound in New York City.

[8] Musically, The Fire has been described as post-hardcore,[9][10] showcasing an increased capacity of aggressive and heavy tracks, namely "New Year's Eve", "Coward", "Lifeboats" and "Irish Eyes".

[10] Discussing the album's title, Nielsen explained that the group when through various rough patches over the previous two years and was representative of how the members were feeling.

[11] Nielsen stated that the album "is a reaction and a release of a whirlwind of emotions that came from fighting for what we love and dealing with change and growth both personally and creatively".

[10] The alternative rock track "Landslide"[9] musically recalled "Can't Be Saved", from the group's Still Searching (2006) album,[14] and incorporated the use of hardcore punk-esque gang vocals.

The band asked fans to volunteer to be in a music video for the song "The Fire", which was filmed in New York City on October 9 and 10.

Staff reviewer Davey Boy of Sputnikmusic praised the lyrics as well as the track arrangement, concluding that "in refining the band’s sound and style so effectively, ‘The Fire’ is ultimately a resounding success which meets its objectives.

"[33] Drew Beringer of AbsolutePunk was positive, commenting "Yes, there are imperfections (a recycled riff here, some flat vocals there), but overall The Fire is the essential Senses Fail record to own" and that it is "Full of aggression and just enough catchiness to please both types of fans".