Mono Inc. – The Book Of Fire (Album – NoCut / SPV)
Genre/Influences: Gothic, Dark-Rock, Metal-Pop.
Format: Digital, 3CD,
Background/Info: Originally released in 2020, the latest album of the German Mono Inc. phenomena has been re-released as a box featuring the original disc plus a live disc and an extra disc with piano versions.
Content: “The Book Of Fire” totally stands for the sound and global approach of the German formation driven by their charismatic frontman Martin Engler. The songs are mixing Goth-Metal with extra carrying choruses on top. The electronic arrangements inject a melodic and somewhat Pop driven touch on top of the menacing guitar riffs. Tilo Wolff (Lacrimosa) has been featured on one of the songs.
The live album reveals the maturity of the band and the symbiotic relationship between the band and their fans. The recording features eleven live cuts getting us back to some or the band’s most famous songs.
The last disc brings us piano versions of all original songs from “The Book Of Fire”; simply piano creating a Cinematic effect.
+ + + : Mono Inc. became one of the most popular underground acts of the German Goth-Metal scene and the live disc only illustrates their leading status. “The Book Of Fire” is a great album featuring multiple outstanding songs. The success formula of this band is the perfect balance between powerful guitar play and melodic electronics. Martin Engler also is a talented singer with a charismatic voice. The songs have been accomplished with judicious sound arrangements. It’s also great to see Tilo wolf and Tanzwut being each featured in one song. “Louder Than Hell” remains my favorite song, but there are numerous cool tracks. Among the live songs I especially recommend the final cut “Children Of The Dark”. Some of the piano versions are also worth listening to listen for their evasive, Cinematic style.
– – – : I can’t imagine real minus points about this brilliant album. I just can’t understand Mono Inc. isn’t more recognized outside Germany.
Conclusion: “The Book Of Fire” is an absolute must have for the fans, but it first of all is a great and poignant production. Respect!
Best songs: “Louder Than Hell”, “Death Or Live”, “Shining Light”, “The Gods Of Love”, “Right For The Devil” + “Children Of The Dark”, “Funeral Song”, “The Banks Of Eden” + “Death Or Live”.
Rate: 9.
Artist: www.facebook.com/monoinc
Label: http://nocut.de / www.facebook.com/spvhannover
About Mono Inc.
Mono Inc. is a dark rock band from Hamburg, Germany. Miky Mono (vocals, bass), Carl Fornia (guitar) and Martin Engler (drums) formed the group in 2000. Manuel Antoni joined on bass in 2003, the year the band self-released the debut album “Head Under Water”. A deal with NoCut Entertainment followed in 2004 and the album was reissued with new artwork.
During the sessions for “Temple Of The Torn” in 2006 Martin Engler moved from the drum kit to lead vocals and Katha Mia took over on drums. That record appeared in 2007, followed by “Pain, Love & Poetry” in 2008, “Voices Of Doom” in 2009 and “Viva Hades” in 2011. Founding singer Miky Mono died in a paragliding accident in October 2010. The band moved to SPV / Rookies & Kings in August 2012 and issued “After The War” that year, “Nimmermehr” in 2013, the double compilation “The Clock Ticks On 2004-2014” in 2014, “Terlingua” in 2015, “Together Till The End” and the compilation “Symphonies Of Pain” in 2017, and “Welcome To Hell” in 2018.
“The Book Of Fire” was released in January 2020 and reached number one on the German album chart. The expanded edition reviewed here followed in 2021. Side-Line reported the twelfth studio album “Ravenblack” in August 2022, and the thirteenth album “Darkness” arrived on August 15, 2025.
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
