Faith No More - Sol Invictus

ONCE a successful band has been around for a certain amount of time they usually reach their creative peak and hit a crossroads.

Do they carry on and risk the quality of their songs and albums plummeting or do they leave it all behind and split to be remembered for their glory days?

It was certainly the latter for California's Faith No More who left the music scene on a high in 1998 after six acclaimed records.

But, with all the reunions in the last few years, nothing is permanent in the world of music and the result is Sol Invictus – the band's first album in 18 years which comes 30 years after their debut.

Faith No More are the kind of band who have always defied musical categorisation and once again prove that the usual safe assumptions do not apply to them.

Because this album makes it feel like no time has passed at all since 1998.

Faith No More have previously took influence from funk and hip hop but Sol Invictus – Latin for 'unconquered sun' – is most comparable to 1995's more rock orientated King For A Day, Fool For A Lifetime.

Highlights include the frenetic single and call-to-arms Superhero which has a infectious riffs and a piano backing that evokes the feel of the band's earlier work.

But one of the best is Cone of Shame, a slow burner that builds to a searing crescendo of rock.

At 47, frontman Mike Patton has also lost none of his signature style with his vocals ranging from mock-opera to horror film style whispers.

Sol Invictus is a reminder how timeless the band's work sounds.

And with lots of lyrics about rising and coming back from the dead, don't expect this to be the last you hear from Faith No More.

DAVID MORGAN