When alt-metal pranksters Faith No More called it quits in the late Nineties, they were too weird for the headbangers and too heavy for Alternative Nation. Now, with indie rock and harder music crossing paths more frequently, the times have finally caught up with them. Sol Invictus, the band’s first record since 1997’s underrated Album of the Year, offers newer, better versions of Faith No More’s formula: spaghetti-Western guitars, proggy keyboard drama and tons of vocal contortions from lead singer Mike Patton. With the exception of one tune seemingly about Patton’s breakfast, it’s as much a triumphant victory lap as it’s a comeback record.
