Produced by Flood & Moulder (PJ Harvey, Nine Inch Nails, Smashing Pumpkins) at Assault & Battery studios in London, Holy Fire has received effusive early praise. "Foals have established themselves as one of the most exciting bands in the UK" said Q, who gave the album four stars. NME gave Holy Fire a rare 9/10 review, declaring "2013 is in safe hands," and VICE agreed, saying "they're back and their f**king good."

The Oxford five-piece released their debut album Antidotes in 2008, followed by 2010's breakthrough Total Life Forever. Both are certified gold. Total Life Forever was nominated for the 2010 Mercury Prize and an Ivor Novello award, and they received five nods at the 2011 NME awards, winning Best Single for "Spanish Sahara."