It’s tempting to see 1992’s Angel Dust as a deliberate and contrarian attempt to confuse fans following the unexpected success and “funk metal” pigeonholing of 1989’s The Real Thing. But that album was already weird enough, with its vibrant range of styles and Mike Patton’s darkly humourous lyrics. So, with Patton now fully involved in the band’s musical direction rather than just vocals and lyrics, Faith No More were really just evolving naturally: becoming weirder and more eclectic than ever before. Scathing, metallic rockers like the sarcastic Land Of Sunshine and the jackhammer Caffeine mingle with the sample-heavy melodic genius of Midlife Crisis, Everything’s Ruined and A Small Victory. But the album is at its best when it goes all Alice Cooper. RV‘s quirky portrayal of a trailer park slob has moments of soaring pathos and the album’s choicest deep cut Crack Hitler is a funky soundtrack for the best 70s TV action show you’ve never seen. It’s not all perfect. The cover of Midnight Cowboy is a pointless coda and I find the noisemare tracks Malpractice and Jizzlobber a bit uneventful. But even they still contribute to the dark, weird totality and I doubt Faith No More wanted anyone to like all of this. The contrary buggers. Like the cover’s pairing of a majestic egret with images of a slaughterhouse… Angel Dust is both beautiful and hideous. A challenging masterpiece. So sing and rejoice, sing and rejoice.
HEAVY METAL OVERLOAD 
Absolutely 5/5! Everything you said. I love the heavy weirdness, and how over the top they take it.
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It’s a keeper! Over the top and there’s so much going on… my favourite track keeps changing all the time.
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I didn’t get them back in the day, I do now.
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Took me a while too. I pretty much got into them a song at a time.
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It’s an amazing record – sold a lot of copies for such a weird record too.
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I’ve read some things about it being a commercial disappointment but I remember it being pretty big. Especially in Europe.
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Everyone I knew had it. If that helps at all?
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That makes all the difference.
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It’s definitely different! To me it sounds like Talking Heads meets Primus but done well.
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Adore this bizarre little weirdo of an album. Great write up. Land of Sunshine is anthem.
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Thanks dude! Bizarre little weirdo is a great description haha
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I liked that first album the one with Epic and the live video what was it called something bastards than FNM and Patton were ‘meh’ live opening for Metallica/Gunners as Patton was in the frog position by the monitors on stage. Couldn’t even see him if it wasn’t for the video screens I would have only heard him and never seen him.
Bailed on these guys after that…
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That was like my experience seeing AC/DC live except… I could see them. It was horrible. Bailed on them after that.
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What year was that Scott?
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2000 or thereabouts? Stiff Upper Lip tour.
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They have riffs which I can get into, so yeah, the album review is pretty spot on with my views. I think they lost some of that riffage when Jim Martin left as he took some simple ideas and made em Metal.
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I really love the album after this but they definitely lost an important element of their special chemistry with Jim gone.
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100 percent. The new guy that came after was just a puppet to what the other guys wanted. Jim was Pumpkin Man Jim, just different, and unique. An outlier really.
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I like that it’s got its imperfections, yet still a perfect score – and some of my favourites would fit that description too!
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Yeah I swithered with that a bit but in totality I just think it’s a brilliant piece of work. And I can’t rule out liking those songs in the future. I never thought Crack Hitler would be my favourite all those years ago.
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If I’d had a third child he or she would have been called ‘Crack Hitler’ 1537. True story.
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I heard that your son has changed his name to Buckfast Hitler recently though?
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Always had a hard time with this album as a whole, but love Jizzlobber!!
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Interesting! Are there albums of theirs that you prefer or are not a fan in general?
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I love King For a Day, Fool for a Lifetime…and, I’m a huge Mr Bungle fan
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I really need to hear more Mr Bungle. Only heard the debut… makes sense that you like the Jizzlobber kinda stuff then! And King For A Day is brilliant… that’s another 5/5 for me.
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Haha! Sweet! My fave Bungle tunes are Carousel, Stubb (A Dub), and Air Conditioned Nightmare…Mondo Cane is an interesting solo album from him as well, showcases Patton’s gift for creating characters!
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Cool. There’s so much Patton stuff I don’t really know where to start so I’ll check that out. Only heard the first Mr Bungle and the Peeping Tom album which was… OK.
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Oooh, you gotta check out Tomahawk!!!
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Good call! Forgot all about them.
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Y’know, I’ve had this album for, what, 20+ years and I still don’t love it. One of those I wanted to like more than I ever did. Though I felt that about Faith No More in general. Strange that I was / am so enthusiastic about their reunion a few years back, eh?
I’ll give this one some time this week.
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The reunion album was accessible but I don’t think it’s quite up with their best stuff. Good though.
This is an album that I had to get into a song at a time. You’ve probably just not listened to it enough or you’ve not listened to it properly or you’re just basically inferior in some way. Or your love of the HOMME has clouded your judgement.
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No, it is up there with their best stuff. In fact, IT IS their best stuff. So there.
I do keep promising to revisit Faith No More and never do. I will, though. Starting with this. Today or tomorrow.
Right after I listen to some Queens of the Stone Age, obviously.
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Nah. No way that’s their best. You are officially mental.
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I don’t think so.
I’m gonna listen to some Faith No More tomorrow and then I’m officially be like the Oracle on all things Faith No More.
We’ll see who is mental then, pal.
Not me. No sir.
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If thinking Sol Invictus is the best FNM is sane then I choose mental.
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You choose Sol Invictus.
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No. No harm to it though… think I gave it 4 or 4.5? It’s just not demented enough.
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In all seriousness, I getcha.
I love it. Sounds weighty… very focused… and the album art is sinister.
And I know a few actual Faith No More fans who aren’t much into it. They’re very much of the opinion that it’s a bit flat.
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I did think that at first but it grew on me a lot. It was a good comeback for sure. And for the right reasons! (Unlike a couple of bands we could mention)
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Thanks for the reminder HMO. I like this album for all those reasons you noted.
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