Sol Invictus
by Faith No More
  • Record Label: Ipecac
  • Release Date: May 19, 2015
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
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  1. Tiny Mix Tapes
    May 22, 2015
    60
    It doesn’t offer any major stylistic advance over Album of the Year, admittedly, but its 10 songs are constructed with an incomparable craft and creativity that few bands in rock and metal can reproduce.
  2. Pitchfork
    May 19, 2015
    60
    Set aside the negligible opening and closing tracks, and Sol Invictus has just eight tracks spanning 34 minutes, an underwhelming running time considering how long Faith No More have been away. Such brevity could be overlooked if Sol Invictus was accompanied by a significant shift in the band’s sound, but many of these songs feel like retreads.
  3. The Guardian
    May 14, 2015
    60
    Sol Invictus is not quite Faith No More at their eccentric peak, but Matador, Sunny Side Up and From the Dead see them get close. A welcome return from the band that refuse to be bland.
  5. Slant Magazine
    May 18, 2015
    50
    Absent the lightning-in-a-bottle voltage of their heyday, Faith No More's Sol Invictus is shockingly no more than adequate.
  6. Spin
    May 21, 2015
    40
    We’re supposed to admire the fact that 30 years after their debut album, they haven’t moved an inch closer to definability.

Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Most Discussed Album of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 64 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 64
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 64
  3. Negative: 2 out of 64
  1. codyeff
    May 20, 2015
    9
    There seems to be a refined precision and maturity with this album. Sol Invictus is a brilliant album from a very influential band. I was aThere seems to be a refined precision and maturity with this album. Sol Invictus is a brilliant album from a very influential band. I was a little on the young side when their older albums were released so it's kind of cool to be able to have a new one now that I can force on my friends. Definitely high up on my list of favorites from 2015.… Full Review »
  2. verdeverde
    May 19, 2015
    9
    It's got that signature Patton sound with elements of Angel Dust & King For A Day. Tracks like "Rise Of The Fall" & "Black Friday" sound likeIt's got that signature Patton sound with elements of Angel Dust & King For A Day. Tracks like "Rise Of The Fall" & "Black Friday" sound like a blend of Patton's numerous side projects.… Full Review »
  3. BradTheGeek
    May 19, 2015
    8
    Overall good but much sounds rehashed with hints of Tomahawk and other projects, but still listenable. A few listens may change my ratingOverall good but much sounds rehashed with hints of Tomahawk and other projects, but still listenable. A few listens may change my rating either way. I have been a fan of FnM since The Real Thing. My favorite albums are Angel Dust and Album of the Year. This sits firmly between King for a Day (te least listenable IMHO) and Album of the Year, so overall a good outing.

    The songs alternate from mellow and seething, to raucous and raging, sometimes in the same song, so normal for this band. Patton's vocals still show a great depth, but he does not branch out as far as on other songs such as RV and Evidence. Bottum's playing has improved much, and shows far more nuance than the early days, but still helps carry the signature FnM sound. Bordin's drumming is spot on, but nothing spectacular, and everyone else just seems along for the ride with few if any standout moments.

    Given the rumors that another album is already in the works, and the brevity of this one, it may be that this is just the warm up to a bigger bang. Time will tell.    … Full Review »
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