In a press release issued early Tuesday, the band responsible for unleashing Mike Patton upon the mainstream music world announced its return. Faith No More is back!
Back in the early 90s when MTV actually played music videos on a regular basis, eyes shooting lightning bolts in the palms of hands and fish flopping around in synch with a somber piano melody were common sights. These were memorable images from the classic Faith No More video "Epic." The band peaked with The Real Thing in 1990, Patton's first album with the band, and slowly began their decline.
Angel Dust bares the distinction as the first CD I ever bought. Its lead single "Midlife Crisis," with the earlier "Epic," have since been credited (or blamed, depending on your outlook) for the eventual rise of suburban white guys rapping over chugga-chugga riffs somehow coined as 'nu-metal.' The album performed almost as well as The Real Thing commercially, but showcased a new diversity to the band's sound to the detriment of virtuoso guitarist, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey co-star, and amateur pumpkin farmer Jim Martin. Martin left soon after, and so did many of FNM's fans. The band released two more mediocre albums before splitting; and Patton resumed creating one weirdo-rock record after another with bands like Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Tomahawk, Peeping Tom, ad infinitum.
As Pitchfork reports, details are scarce. We don't know the band's lineup. Is Jim Martin involved? Will there be anything beyond this European Tour? New music? Time will tell. "Epic" after the jump.
This article appears in Feb 18-24, 2009.