Great edited video I found on YouTube from reportagem giving a flavour of what it was like in Brixton last night

  • Stubbadub have posted an excellent and exhaustive fan review from Gemma. Sample quote: “As a whole, the band was fantastic – so tight and together for guys warming up after an eleven year break. The atmosphere and camaraderie was palpable, and it was great to see them obviously enjoying themselves as they played.”
  • Gigwise add another glowing review to the list. Sample quote: “Playing against a backdrop of red curtains there are no visual enhancements, the show is solely about the music, but visual entertainment is ever present from Mike Patton, as he bounds about the stage, jumping or dropping to his knees in ultimate vocal-wrenching pantomime, only stopping to adjust his vocal equipment or for rests between songs.”
  • Great review from clickmusic. Sample quote: “It’s an onslaught of energy, unpredictability, aggression, love and humour and played to absolute perfection. Astonishingly for a literal comeback gig, Faith No More are as tight and faultless as a well-oiled tour machine, but with none of the weariness and complacency.”
  • The Daily Mail also give a very positive review. Sample quote: “Bass player Bill Gould (the man who puts the Faith in FNM, being he’s the only one who has always remained open to a reunion) is grinning like the cat that got the cream and the early bird that caught the worm combined.”
  • Rolling Stone has added another to the list of glowing reviews. Sample quote: “Faith No More were always left-field, yet inadvertently created some awesome songs with mass appeal. Last night was about a band rediscovering their special chemistry, and proving good music only improves with age.”
  • Rock Sound, who have Faith No More as band of the week this week, also give a very positive review. Sample quote: “This is not a nostalgia trip; this is a truly inspiring piece of musical history showing no signs of losing its relevance. Now this was a reformation truly worth waiting for. Download is going be amazing!”
  • BBC 6 music give a glowing review. Sample quote: “If The Pixies reunion showed that classic bands can reform with dignity and deliver their songs with at least some of their original intent, then last night Faith No More proved it’s possible to retain the capacity to shock and surprise your fans. A truly staggering return.”
  • Not sure if this is the official review from Metal Hammer or just a personal blog from Beez – either way its bang on the money. Sample quote: “Reunions can be soul-destroying occasions where your memories are smashed to smithereens and your dreams of finally seen your heroes are dashed by greedy sons of bitches just playing the hits badly and taking your cash. What you’ll get with FNM is an authentic FNM experience. If they want to do soul covers, they’ll do them. If they want to do little known album tracks, they’ll do them. If they want to bring a tear to your eye via the solo in ‘Epic’, the intro of ‘Easy’ and cutting the music to let the crowd sing the chorus of ‘Midlife Crisis’ (a moment that will live with me for the rest of my days), they’ll do it.”
  • First major publication review is out and its a mixed one from London’s Evening Standard newspaper. Sample quote: “The San Franciscans’ swaggering pop-funk-rap-metal-grunge was always too perversely peculiar for a Nirvana-esque crossover and since nobody would argue they were greats first time around, the dice of moderate expectation are loaded in their favour.”
    I think that’s called daming with faint praise.
  • Here’s one from Random Reviews, a personal site. Sample quote: “Mike Patton’s voice is amazing and he can sing such a fantastic range of styles. Who else could go from Surprise! You’re Dead (complete with manic laughter) to Easy?”
    Very true of course and the way the band segued from style to style throughout the set was fascinating to behold; it was certainly not a case of slow songs here, heavy ones, etc.
  • Another personal posting here. Sample quote: “I must be honest, the band weren’t tight – Roddy in particular fluffed a good few notes, and the bass intro to Evidence was non-existent, although that may have been down to the soundguy taking a while to sort his levels. That said, when they got in the groove, no amount of bad sound could effect it. “Cuckoo for Caca”, “Surprise you’re dead” and in particular “Midlife Crisis” were HUGE, and really made me regret not getting.”
  • One more from Aussie music site Fasterlouder. Sample quote: “Mike was a true entertainer. Some of his antics included body-rolling whilst doing a handstand – sort of like a gymnast, only less graceful. However, it was his facial expressions and body language that set the tone. He spent a lot of time screaming and rolling around the floor during Jizzlobber and Gentle Art.”

More to follow.