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. Kerrang!
    May 6, 2015
    100
    This is not a time-weathered, diluted imitation of Faith No More. This, ladies and gents, is still "The Real Thing." [9 May 2015, p.52]
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  2. Alternative Press
    May 6, 2015
    90
    This is the most imaginative and urgent FNM have sounded in years--not to mention the most relevant. [Jun 2015, p.96]
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  3. The A.V. Club
    May 19, 2015
    83
    It’s the rare, rare reunion album that’s shoulder to shoulder with what came before it, standing on the band’s solid catalog instead of trying and failing to start the climb anew.
  5. Paste Magazine
    May 19, 2015
    83
    Faith No More appears to have not only written a collection of songs that stand up to the lofty heights they set for themselves from past releases, in some ways they have exceeded them.
  6. The Wire
    Jun 5, 2015
    80
    Sol Invictus is a looser, more relaxed record than its predecessors, occasionally dropping into a lounge ballad mode that suits Patton's vocals. [Jun 2015, p.52]
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  7. Magnet
    Jun 4, 2015
    80
    This album finds Patton in his glory. [No. 120, p.55]
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  8. Record Collector
    May 26, 2015
    80
    Add curveballs such as From The Dead, a plangent alt. country anthem, and it all adds up to the logical follow-up to 1997’s Album Of The Year. It’s like they’ve never been away.
  9. Mojo
    May 20, 2015
    80
    Sol Invictus scratches a creative itch created by the band's Second Coming Tour, and reasserts that they will not be second-guessed or pigeonholed. [Jun 2015, p.94]
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  10. AllMusic
    May 18, 2015
    80
    Sol Invictus is their best and most compelling work since Angel Dust, and the rare reunion album that truly adds to the strength of the group's legacy rather than diluting it.
  11. Exclaim
    May 12, 2015
    80
    Sol Invictus isn't perfect, and it's not their best work, but Faith No More creaking with a little rust and blinking cobwebs is still a glorious thing.
  12. New Musical Express (NME)
    May 11, 2015
    80
    The absence of original guitarist Jim Martin is soon overshadowed by just how focused the record is.
  13. Classic Rock Magazine
    May 7, 2015
    80
    A group at ease with both their instruments and each other, showing no signs of rust or sclerosis despite their long lay-off. [Jun 2015, p.88]
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  14. Q Magazine
    May 6, 2015
    80
    This isn't just a new Faith No More record. It's one of their very best. [Jun 2015, p.113]
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  15. Uncut
    May 6, 2015
    80
    It's a dynamically compelling set that taps Black Sabbath, Chic, Killing Joke, Elmer Bernstein and Paolo Conte, Mike Patton's extraordinary (six octaves) voice its focus. [Jun 2015, p.76]
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  16. Consequence
    May 11, 2015
    75
    Faith No More had nothing to lose by staying on history’s sidelines, for once, but Sol Invictus proves that they belong back in the game.
  17. PopMatters
    May 19, 2015
    70
    This is a solid comeback album that succeeds on its own terms.
  18. Rolling Stone
    May 19, 2015
    70
    With the exception of one tune seemingly about Patton's breakfast ("Sunny Side Up"), it's as much a triumphant victory lap as it's a comeback record.
  19. musicOMH.com
    May 18, 2015
    70
    Sol Invictus is not a bad return, but it’s not the greatest thing Faith No More has ever done.
  20. Drowned In Sound
    May 12, 2015
    70
    Like their last record, Album of the Year, Sol Invictus is more concerned with playfully nudging at the boundaries of hard rock conventions rather than attempting a dizzy genre-spanning explosion to rival 1995’s King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime.
  21. The Line of Best Fit
    May 11, 2015
    65
    Ultimately though, there's more here that will shock than will appease.

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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