Chile confirmed?
It seems that Faith No More’s headlining slot at a new Chile festival in September is on the cusp of confirmation.
La Tercera reports today that FNM will headline the Santiago Gets Louder festival on Sunday 27 and Monday 28 September. Also on the bill will be System of a Down, Deftones, Mastodon and Lamb of God.
The Music review
Australian site The Music.com.au has give Sol Invictus a rave review. Reviewer Christopher H James gives 4/5 and states:
“Expectations have generally been high though, with two muscular comeback singles; the accountability tantrum Motherfucker; a timely reminder that no one snarls – or whispers for that matter – like Mike Patton, and Superhero, which confirms Faith No More’s guillotine-sharp pop instincts remain intact. Current trends in metal are mostly ignored, but the band’s collective thirst for new territory, such as the Spaghetti-Western atmospherics of Rise Of The Fall, is consistently present.”
6/10 review from DemonZone
No – me neither but the reviewer does make a few irrefutable points:
“How hard is it to create a catchy riff, memorable vocal lines and add a twist or two in there. Quite hard it seems as this album is nothing more than mid tempo B-Sides from the band’s heyday.”
“My biggest gripe is with lead singer Mike Patton. An excellent vocalist who has one of the most underrated voices in music. Unfortunately he continues to plague us with never ending amounts of growling nonsense. There is barely a moment where he uses his truly incredible clean vocals and it is without a doubt one of the biggest wastes of talent in rock music.”
“Sol Invictus is incredibly uneventful but I am sure the fan boys will lap it up whilst letting us know it is the greatest album in the world. Blabbermouth has already started that horrible trend but believe me, it is not that good.”
Belgian site gives 9/10 review
I feel the need for a palate-cleanser after posting so here’s a 9/10 reviewer from Belgian site Peek-a-Boo:
“The music of FAITH NO MORE is not as frantic as it once was, but ‘Sol Invictus’ is their most mature and constant album so far. That is a huge achievement if you know their earlier material.”
@BenM: I am glad that you liked it. I hope you enjoy it to be honest. I have nothing against anyone doing so, but some of the reviews I have read have been quite silly. Praising it because it’s the band and not because of the music. I hate reviews like that. I am not exactly a good writer but I do like to be as honest as possible. 🙂
@JK Don’t get me wrong, I am quite a fan of Immortal and other band’s of the black metal genre. Growling is pretty common in my playlist. However, I don’t quite understand why anyone would focus so heavily on such a cliché vocal technique when you can blow people away with your natural vocal power and range. I like his eccentric style in moderation, something that was lacking here. I would of easily of scored the album higher had Patton put as much effort into his vocals as he did Mondo Cane as an example.
I still think this album is rated bordering on ‘elite’. Most other 90’s rock bands get absolutely smashed with reviews of new albums. FNM at worst have had 5 and 6 out of 10’s! That’s still average or just above. But then, there’s 15 other reviews that average around 9 out of 10! So it’s safe to say that the sol Invictus is a well recieved record by the music media. Now, the real indicator begins, the release and sales numbers over the next 4 or so months. I believe that if most of the people who are seeing them live and spruiking on about the imminent real ease of the album buy the record, then it will surpass the expectations IMO. Not angel dust/ the real thing numbers but if it were to match KFAD and AOTY then I believe the band will continue knowing that they are still relevant. Well, sunny side up and black Friday type singles should help.
I, for one, enjoy the “growling nonsense”. I’m currently sitting on a surplus of “incredibly clean vocals” and Mike’s my only supplier of the “growling nonsense”. If only more singers gifted with incredibly clean vocals would incorporate growling. Yes, I’m looking at you Kelly Clarkson.
Hi Steven. I’m also quite appreciative of your candor in the review as the unrelenting posivity thus far has been a little unnerving. Not to say the other reviews have necessarily been disingenuous but FNM were always at their best when they were dividing critical opinion. Obviously I hope to join the camp that adores the LP when it comes out but it’s refreshing to see impartial criticism that doesn’t resort to the same lazy “where’s Jim Martin?” angle. The Decibel review, for example, was just embarrassingly poor journalism.
Hi Steven. Kudos were having the balls to pop in here and thanks. Everyone is entitled to their opinion – even if its wrong (-:
Hey, this is Steven Lornie from DemonsZone. I hope no one is offended by the review, but I would think this band of all would appreciate down right honesty. 🙂
I’m not bothered by it all. One of many things that I appreciate about this band is that each member does what is necessary for the good of the song. Although each one is extremely capable, no one in this band goes flashy just for the sake of being flashy. That may be why FNM doesn’t have crazy guitar solos. With as much time as Bill has labored over these songs, I am sure they tried several different ways before chosing which take and which effects work best. Now I have yet to hear the entire studio album (extreme will power), but I personally enjoy the studio recodings of Superhero and Motherfucker. Vocals sound great and very FNM to me. Angel Dust had lots of effects on Mike’s vocals.
I agree with the 6/10 review about MP’s vocals :/ absolute incredible voice, but his over the top ‘effects’ really takes away from some songs. Superhero in particular. Kinda frustrates me to be honest!!