After nearly two decades’ worth of “will they/ won’t they make another record,” alt-rock pioneers Faith No More finally end the agonising wait for their fans with the release of Sol Invictus. Economical in length (it only runs 39 minutes) but certainly not in ideas, their seventh opus sees the eternal contrarians in rude health and in typically rebellious mood. Inspired by the Banshees, Link Wray and the Cramps, it’s FNM’s quietest album yet (by their standards) and will surprise those expecting a more metallic offering.
Star of the show is still Mike Patton’s amazing voice and his performances throughout are playful, peculiar and powerful, often over the course of one song (‘Matador’). ‘Cone Of Shame’ will delight old school fans — especially the second half ’s dizzying melodies and juggernaut- like riffs — as will the thunderous ‘Superhero’. Elsewhere, ‘Rise Of The Fall’ could soundtrack an Argentine tango in some Lynchian nightmare, ‘Motherfucker’ is a frankly bonkers Tom Waits-meets-Queen mash-up and ‘From The Dead’ is epic, if you pardon the pun. The bland funk-punk stylings of ‘Sunny Side Up’ and the meandering title track do let proceedings down a little, but on the whole, Sol Invictus is worth the wait.
KEY TRACK: 'Come Of Shame'