The Real Thing

Exactly what I needed when I needed it

faith no more had already had a couple albums under their belt before they released “the real thing” in 1989. however, the addition of then new vocalist mike patton was the secret sauce that placed the band at the forefront of alternative rock. often credited with being a pioneer in the “rap metal” genre, faith no more became so much more than that. this album, while not my favourite from FNM, it is certainly a great listen. highlights: “epic” “falling to pieces” “surprise! you’re dead!”

Epic is a banger Bass lines really good in this Great album

Really solid if sonically underwhelming.

I first heard Faith No More when We Care A Lot came out. It was an exciting mix that you didn’t really have much of in metal at the time. An album later, and a change in singer, we had The Real Thing which propelled them in the limelight. Epic was a metal and alternate club classic - and I loved the entire album… plus live they were phenomenal. Whilst I really enjoyed The Real Thing my favourite album of theirs was the follow up to this, Angel Dust. Faith No More were pretty groundbreaking in the metal scene at the time - as the vast bulk of the scene was still rooted in the classic metal sound and FNM disrupted that and opened the path to a lot of new bands experimenting with their sound and style.

Didn’t know they covered Black Sabbath.

97/1001 Faith No More - The Real Thing Heard before? ❎️ Revisit? ✅ Had a great time with this on first listen. The heavier side of funk just works. It's quite clear how this influenced a lot of the rock to come in the 90s.

Well, it started out with a couple of absolute belting classics, and of course couldn't carry on in that style. Not to say that what followed was rubbish, it absolutely wasn't. But you can't produce a whole album of Epics (Pun intended). My problem now is how to score it. It's better than most of the 3's that I have awarded, but not up to the standard of most of the 4's. I really don't want to give it either of those scores. It's a solid 3.8 to 3.9. Oh, I can't round it down. I'll have to give it a 4

One of the few bands associated with 'Metal' I can actually listen to and enjoy. When this came out it was like a breath of fresh air blowing away all that denim and hair. Only a couple of songs are misses but on the whole a solid debut.

Globally enjoyed it. For not knowing Faith no more material, this was pretty interesting. Surprise! You're dead!

Despite being the band's third album, this may as well be their debut. Anyone hardly remembers Faith No More's pre-Mike Patton days. Patton really turned Faith No More into an incredibly influential act, fusing the emergent Alternative sound with Metal and even rapping. This, of course, lead to many terrible bands that followed, trying to emulate this genre fusion, but without FNM's sophistication. And while those bands are pretty indistinguishable from what happens in this record, the band showed exactly how far ahead their peer they were with their next album, the excellent Angel Dust, from 1992. Patton also hit it big with his former high-school(!) band Mr. Bungle, who release the most daring and out there music ever out out by a major label. Key tracks: From Out of Nowhere Epic

I was blown away by this album when I first heard it in 7th grade, about a year after it dropped. Epic was the first song I remember hearing that blended hip-hop and rock elements from a band that wasn’t actually a hip-hop group. Ever since, this record gets a few spins from me each year. Every time I revisit it, the opening track makes me question whether the album still holds up. There’s something distinctly “80s” about From Out of Nowhere that I don’t really hear elsewhere on the record. But once that song ends and Epic kicks in, I’m fully engaged and enjoying the ride. The range of sounds on Zombie Eaters in particular is fantastic. If I have any criticism, it’s that the production sometimes leans a little too hard into that classic 80s drum sound, and at times the songs feel like they don’t belong on the same album. Then again, that variety is also part of what makes this record so interesting—the shifts in tone and style turn it into a journey rather than just a collection of similar sounding tracks.

Eclectic mix of metal and various more pop genres. I think they did it better on their next album, but this was their breakthrough. Favorite song: woodpeckers from mars

I enjoyed this, surprisingly!

det här var gött. fick till en hörlurslyssning på kvällen och då var det riktigt bra. men lite för långt bara. den sista låten skull man skippat och även fast jag gillade war pigs-covern så tycker jag inte riktigt den passar in. en något svag fyra blir det nu

I love this album, but Angel Dust is better. I saw them live, and that was a totally different experience.

Pretty solid album

Like a flaming cum shot this album hit just right! Epic steals the show of course but the rest sounds like a lost Metallica album without any killer guitar solos. Pretty good time!

Mike Patton is a really talented guy. Several classic bangers on this album. It sags a bit in the middle but finishes very strong, and the whole thing still sounds pretty fresh and interesting to me

Jeg har valklet meget mellem Micro 5er,og 4er, men den ender på 4 da albummets første halvdel er rigtig godt! Anden halvdel mister tråden lidt, og der mangler noget til at binde det sammen.

I know, I know, it’s only rock n roll - but I like it! Vocals generally weak, tunes very solid.

Porządny rock, z pomysłem, dobrym wokalem i chwytliwymi melodiami. Nie zmieni mojego życia, nie przewrócił mojego świata i nie będę tego słuchać na zapętleniu, ale spędziłam z nim miłą godzinę i nie będę się zapierać, gdy ktoś to znowu puści. 7/10

Very cool. I love that thick punchy bass driven sound. I love that it's has a somewhat funk feel while staying hard rock.

Better than I remembered it. A pleasant surprise to listen to it again.

A heavier Red Hot Chili Peppers. I can see how this inspired many of the nu metal acts of the late 90s. The vocals are really great and the bass is chunky. Also always love a good War Pigs cover. Favorite songs were From out Of Nowhere, Epic, Falling To Pieces, Surprised! You’re Dead!, and The Real Thing.

Really good rock album

I'm kind of biased - I think I owned this album. I was definitely into Faith No More at that time. I still think the first 3 tracks are awesome, and the title track is also solid. The rest is decent too.

I remember "Epic" confusing me when it came out in Junior High. My brain couldn't quite figure out what it was... Metal? Rap? Funk? Listening to it 35 years later, that genre blending seems to their credit and progressive in a way most self-professed prog rock bands can't manage to be. Rounding up a little, but wanted to give credit to the fact that even if theyight not be my thing, I can understand how they could be someone elses.

1. From Out of Nowhere - I enjoyed this song, I don't know why but the vocals really reminded me of Patrick Stump and that made it really fun for me. It's also just a very pretty sounding song! 2. Epic - THIS SONG IS SO FUN!!! I LOVE IT! 3. Falling to Pieces - also just a really fun song. I'm addicted to the vocals. 4. Surprise! You're Dead! - ANOTHER BANGER. it really reminds me of emo music, I am severely enjoying this. 5. Zombie Eaters - I liked the quiet beginning and loud ending. I appreciate songs like that. 6. The Real Thing - just another good song to be honest with you. Just really liked it. 7. Underwater Love - just another fun song. Love the bass line in it!!! 8. The Morning After - another banger, absolutely loved the guitar part near the middle. 9. Woodpecker From Mars - obsessed with the introduction of this song, and when the guitar came in *chef's kiss*. 10. War Pigs - a classic!!!!! banger banger banger. 11. Edge of the World - another great song. 4/5 - Overall just loved this album. It's so good!!! Will definitely be adding a few songs from it to my playlists!

Really good! It was unique and I thought it was kinda funny. Not a super serious from what I gathered. It seemed just like they were having fun the whole time

Some bands have early albums that almost don't count. I still can't really imagine Faith No More without Mike Patton. He took over lead vocals for this album and started the band's most successful period. Their style of metal seemed to feature hints of influence from bands like Queen. Whether I'm just imagining that or not, Faith No More were definitely huge in defining the sound of the late 80s, as hair metal and synth pop gave way to grunge and indie rock. "The Real Thing" features three incredible singles which kick the album off. Epic indeed. The remainder of the album is sadly not as good but still keeps to the style. As hard as I try, Faith No More always seemed better suited to greatest hits compilations than actual albums. This is probably not the best work but there's enough on there that's worth hearing. And as the first album with Patton, I can't argue the decision to include it here.

Great album with its own unique sound.

Solid 7.5/10 not my genre

This was way better than I expected. I knew epic and always thought it was a great song, but hearing other FNM tracks out of context, I never got it. This album as a cohesive punch was amazing. Awesome sounding production, great songs, just great.

8/28/25. Epic is a song I’ve heard a bunch, but the rest of the album was very good! Explored more of the funk metal sound I love outside of my favorite band RHCP.

Funky, thrashy, arty, irreverent, all things I like. Slap Mike Patton’s voice on top and you’ve got something good.

So nice I listened twice

Love it.

Damn, this was really good. I've never cared too much for Faith No More, but maybe I was listening to the wrong albums before. I liked a lot of the interesting time-change things, the thrashy things, kinda all of it. It's the full package. 4.25/5

Genre: Alternative Metal Oh yeah, this thing fucks. I wish the production had a little more low end and wasn’t so tinny, because oh man this thing fucks. Really great alt-metal/funk-metal grooves all over this thing, really interesting vocals from Mike Patton that make each song pop even more, and some solid songwriting make this a very enjoyable listen. Epic is awesome, From Out of Nowhere is awesome, and some of the deep cuts hit nice and hard. Solid record. 4/5

Album #17 of my 1,001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list Faith No More - The Real Thing Not only have I heard this album before, I bought the CD after seeing the vidoe for Epic on MTV about 1,000 times. That song was a phenomenon. FNM sold 4 million albums worldwide & without that song, I’m not sure it would have gotten to 1 million. Singer Mike Patton just joined the band & he was the catalyst it seemed. FNM is weird, just looking at the band members, they didn’t look like they matched and the songs were eclectic, though mostly metal/hard rock based. Patton liked to rap a bit, but it only occurs in 2 of the 13 songs on the album. There seems to be a running theme throughout the album & that is vampirism/death, which can be the same thing, I guess. Supposedly, 3 of the songs were overtly about murder & Patton was asked to be a bit more subtle with the lyrics. At the time I bought this CD I was 15 or 16, and I didn’t get it immediately. It was too eclectic for my developing brain, I guess. But as I revisit it, this really is a fun and unique album. The highlights for me are Epic, Surprise! You’re Dead, Zombie Eaters (babies are the zombies in this case), Underwater Love (about drowning a lover), and Woodpecker From Mars. If you’ve never heard this album and love metal or weird music, this is a must listen.

thoughts: i’ve been familiar with “epic” since i was a kid (and it is still, uh…epic) but yeah, this is a very solid record. the first few songs are the highlights but there are some treats at the back half, particularly the instrumental “woodpecker from mars” songs: “from out of nowhere”, “epic”, “woodpecker from mars” rating: 7.2/10

\m/

interesting album. not really a great album, but entertaining at least. really enjoyed the instrumental and the war pigs cover

Liked songs: Epic, Falling to Pieces, The Real Thing, Woodpecker From Mars, War Pigs Excellent 4.25

A cross between rage against the machine, RHCP and Metallica. Would defo listen again

I've never liked the main single from this album (Epic). I find the vocal can be hard to listen to at times and sometimes the music is ... silly? However, there were some songs that I really liked, especially towards the end of the album. Woodpecker from Mars I really enjoyed as an instrumental, middle Eastern influenced metal piece. The War Pigs cover is very competent and Edge of the World had a chill vibe.

When I was a little kid, MTV was still relatively new and music videos were must see TV. The video for epic will forever live in my mind with the piano blowing up and the goldfish flopping around. The album is a genre bending and blending masterpiece. I love Patton's vocals which i realize can be an acquired taste.

My only prior exposure to FNM was the song Epic which I have known since I was around 10 and I have never known quite where the song sits with me. On one hand I find it a bit of a mishmash of multiple cringey parts. On the other, the performances and writing are so good that it works surprisingly well. I was also until today under the impression it was two different people singing, and upon watching the video before I started the album gained an immense amount of respect for Mike Patton as a vocalist and performer. The verses sound like a muscley hype man, the choruses sound like Jaret from Bowling For Soup, its wild to me that he can pull of that call and response so flawlessly. I actually really enjoyed this. The genre blending is excellent, the performances are great. I particularly loved a lot of the guitar work on this, some fucking ace riffs. Mike Patton is an incredible vocalist and yeah this whole thing just came together really well. I was prepared to find it cringey and irritating but I am pleasantly surprised. Favourites - From Out of Nowhere, Epic, Surprise! You’re Dead!, Underwater Love

Thought this was going to be ass, always found Epic to be one of the corniest songs ever written despite secretly enjoying it. But the absolute riff-fest that comes in the middle of the album made it a pretty fun listen overall. Quite mad that I got baited into listening to the bonus tracks though (the War Pigs cover is an almost note for note rendition so pretty pointless but fuck it it’s a great song). From Out of Nowhere (8/10) Epic (8/10) Falling to Pieces (6/10) Surprise! You’re Dead! (9/10) Zombie Eaters (9/10) The Real Thing (7/10) Underwater Love (7/10) The Morning After (7/10) Woodpecker from Mars (7/10) 7.6/10

Not too shabby, really

Class!

not a huge fan of vocal, but overraly enjoyed it

For my money, Mike Patton is probably the greatest vocalist of all time, and easily top 10 singer of all time. The things he does with his voice are insane, and he's no slouch on this record. From his very Prince-like nasal delivery, to all his inflections and sound effects, dude is the GOAT. This album is fantastic as well. From the Prince-influenced funk metal tracks (From Out of Nowhere and Falling to Pieces), to the Coroner-esque thrash metal (Surprise! You're Dead!, Zombie Eaters), it's all great. I mention the apparent influences though not to say its derivative because they definitely add their own take on it all, and no other band has ever sounded like this before or after. The title track being a great example of Patton going all out with his voice. I will say, I'm not the hugest on the Prince-like funk metal stuff, but it's still great. Some could argue this album helped, unfortunately popularize rap metal/nu metal, and sure, but creatively this album stands heads an tails above pretty much anyone. Even still, we wouldn't have bands like Dillinger Escape Plan (top 5 bands all time for me) in their current form were it not for albums like this.

8/10

Really fun, takes me right back to MTv days. It was cool to hear some newer songs, didn’t really appreciate their skills back then. War Pigs was a pleasant surprise, didn’t add much to the original, but I played it more than once anyway. 7.5

This is fun and it feels original. Not at all predictable, but almost always for the better. The “War Pigs” cover felt unnecessary as they didn’t really do anything interesting with it and it made the album just a tad longer than it should have been. Otherwise, great stuff, I enjoy it a lot. 4/5

Fantastic album! Bonus points for the title track

Good mixing, like a lot of the songs, good musicality and variety

It's definitely surprising that an album in which the vocalist sings with a Sponge Bob voice can be this well done. The album is full of good tracks, going from a more pop sound to a full metal with "Surprise! You're Dead!". Very interesting work from the late 1980's, one that truly captures the essence of its time.

Really enjoyed this album. Did not realise that War Pigs was the opening sample on All Day.

This one goes back and forth for me between hard rock and metal. For those I consider more hard rock songs (Epic, War Pigs, From Out of Nowhere) I am a big fan. I don't love it everyday but I do like to rock out from time to time. For those that are more Metal (Surprise! Your Dead!) I am not as much of a fan, more because its not my music, not necessarily because they did it poorly). I would really like a 3.5 but since that isn't a choice...

Listened to before: No I did not expect to like this album as much as I did. I'm not a big fan of metal, and rap-rock has a thing to age poorly. But this album has energy and good melodies. Sadly, I am not a fan of Pattons voice, which blocks this from getting a higher rating. My highlights are the first three tracks and Woodpecker from Mars.

4/5

- sehr moody und einige echt geile Songs dabei - zwischendurch hat es einen kleinen Hänger, aber das ist meckern auf hohem Niveau - War Pigs einfach absoulter Banger

In surprised this came out in 1990, because it's rare to get something that sounds this much like a specific decade before the decade even really started. Good funky almost- metal rock, a thumbs up from me

Man, this brought me back. I listened to this a lot when it was released. It's great, though it gets a little tedious toward the end. It's just a lot to take in in one listen and the material gets a bit weaker on side two. So many ideas, Mike Patton is a force as a front man, it's just a little thin in production. This is another band (Sheryl Crowe comes to mind) where the second album is the real genius release but we're being served the debut instead. It's a worthy choice, this band came out of the gate with something eternally different than anything around it, but they were still figuring out where they were going. Angel Dust, the second album, is something special. Not any easier to get through, it's another dense affair, but I think it stands as the band's high water mark (they released a bunch of great material in addition to the two mentioned). For my money, Zombie Eaters is the track that stands out as my fave on this one — though the entire first side of the record is stellar.

Thoughts before listening: Faith No More is one of those bands that I should know really well, but I just never really tried. I know "Epic" which is a great song (that spawned a mostly cringey set of rap rock imitators) but I have never done a deep dive. Looking forward to hearing this album. Review: This album is a pretty varied mix of styles and sounds. FNM are definitely a hard rock/metal band, but they mix in funk, rap, ballads, Middle Eastern music, and other styles you don't typically expect from the genre. I especially like that Mike Patton has a solid voice that you can understand. Its been an enjoyable day listening to this album and I'll give it 4-stars.

My word, this slaps.

The first three songs are some of my fave songs of all time, especially Epic and Falling to Pieces, but it just gets boring after the third song 💔 Could have been one of the best albums of all time imo :(

This is just so musically interesting! The styles on the tracks have great diversity.

I wasn’t sure what I was in for having only heard the band’s “Epic” (and realizing later that "We Care a Lot" was also theirs from a different album). But I thought this was really good. Their cover of “War Pigs” is spot on. Great guitar work and the bassist just kills it.

Decent album, probably won't go into my rotation, but it was enjoyable.

I enjoyed it a lot more than I was expecting.

An energetic blast with that loving mix of metal and funk though it's more metal as the later tracks make clear. Stuff like 'From Out of Nowhere' and 'Epic' will always be classic, highly danceable too. After you listened to this album you don't need to follow up immediately with the next Faith No More album because it's relatively similar stuff.

Pretty good

A bit goofy and dated at times, but still an amazingly varied piece of funk/metal/alt/rap and a huge step forward from their first few albums. Great vocals and bass especially.

Solid four-and-a-half album. The way Faith No More managed to flow between different music subgenres is underrated.

Really influential & amazing blend of different alternative metal styles, great release, also "Epic" is just... iconic & perfect.

7.5/10

I don't know where people are getting that this is the record that spawned rap-rock. It certainly does have some of that in there, but this is practically a regular metal album. Sure, Patton does plenty of non-singing on this, but it's not really rapping is it. In any case, it is definitely a 90's hard rock/metal album complete with weird themes, a Sabbath cover and at least one crossover hit. There are a good amount of songs on here that I enjoyed beyond just "Epic". I liked "Surprise! You're Dead!", "The Real Thing", the instrumental "Woodpecker from Mars", and the cover of "War Pigs". I should mention that the bass work in this is really great. Patton is the star with this voice and all that, but the slap/funk bass gives the whole sound a unique feel. Makes the couple of stinkers that are "Underwater Love" and "The Morning After" more listenable and it enhances the good songs quite a bit.

Great 90’s record

It has been a while since I’ve listened to this, but it mostly holds up

9/10

4/5

Cool. Great band. Think the mix let's it down a little bit but there's a lot going on here. Patton is an incredible vocalist and Jim Martin is a mean guitarist.

Music algorithms think "epic" is right up my alley. It doesn't sound like it's from 1989, feels ahead of its time. A fun album. Highlights: surprise! you're dead! (great opener riff)

Good album! Lots of energy. Manages to have melody along with rock power. Enjoyed this more than I expected.

Needs a deluxe edition that includes Neil Cicierega’s “What Is It” as a bonus track

Sharp, heavy, consistent, and fun. A treat to listen to, even if it is a little dated. Best song: Epic

This is sweet!

Yeah I really liked this - some hard rock with a real groove. Mike Patton is an awesome vocalist. He sounds so much like Anthony Keidis at this point in time.

Oh hell yeah great "From out of nowhere" hits hard that's a great opening I didn't expect it I might even say It came out of nowhere :) "Epic" - Rap metal ?? Fucking sick War pigs reprise is really good 4

Very fun listen. When you do a blend of so many genres it can be hard to put it together and make it sound cohesive but they manage to do that in an interesting and enjoyable way. The "War Pigs" cover is also very good. I will say I don't understand why "Epic" is the most popular when it is arguably the most boring song in this album. Overall though enjoyed it a lot!

I think I’m at a 4.5 that I’ll bump down to a 4. It’s not because it doesn’t do enough to get up to a 5 – I liked the album a lot. I just because I don’t think it did anything outstanding enough to feel like a 5. Every single track here is technically sound, pretty catchy, and great to listen to. It’s an album I’d definitely recommend. It just doesn’t feel like it has the big knockout shot that stands on its own merits as opposed to feeling like another band, or sort of leaving me truly wowed like some other metal or rock albums I’ve given 5’s to. In case it wasn’t obvious, I can’t fully shake the whole “this sounds a lot like the Red Hot Chili Peppers” thing. Yes, I know, 1989, and therefore, this is before Blood Sugar Sex Magik, so it’s more of a chicken/egg deal. It’s not even like it’s a negative – I love the instrumental style on this album, and it leans a bit more into the metal side of things, so I can’t definitely say “hey, this is just RHCP”. However, given that Blood Sugar Sex Magik (and Californication, by the way) sort of refine this style and really knock it out of the park with multiple tracks that really feel like timeless hits, as opposed to this one, where “Epic” sort of qualifies, as does “The Real Thing”, but not in the same impactful way. It just feels like this album falls a little short of the potential it tries to reach. It’s still a good album, though – like an 8.75/10, give or take a quarter of a point. I really did enjoy a lot of this – I listened to the main 9 tracks and the great cover of “War Pigs”, and that’s a pretty satisfying 51 minutes. I do wish the album started off on a better note than “From Out of Nowhere”, which feels like a Phil Spector masterclass in how to ruin a song, but everything past that is pretty damn good. It’s *right there* as far as being a 5, and hell, maybe it’ll bump up someday if another one of these tracks clicks way better for me. For now, it’s a 4.5 that I’ll bump down to a 4, but it’s a highly recommended 4 regardless – super unique for 1989, and probably a strong harbinger of the metal rock-rap fusion to come throughout the late 90s and early 2000s.

Very diverse, I can appreciate how they developed a fan base. The vocalist doesn’t match the tone at times, but still leads to lots of variety.

A really fun listen. Kind of a prototype, for the rap/rock sound that would become very popular for a while.

A record I enjoyed more than expected for something described as neo-metal. I love a lot of metal, but something that makes me think it influenced Limp Bizcuit and the like gives me pause. Even if it did (I’m sure it did), this record slaps. Epic is familiar to me from Rock Band back in college, and is a real highlight along with the instrumental closer Woodpecker From Mars.

Что получится, если смешать рэп, рок и металл? Правильно, что-то дикое. Например, такое, как этот альбом. Предполагаю, что в 1989 году это просто взрывало людям мозг. Сейчас тоже звучит вполне бодро, не стыдно. Майк Паттон то орёт, то шепчет, то читает рэп. То он маньяк, то он проповедник, то ещё чёрт знает кто. Остальные тоже не дураки. Гитары рычат, барабаны бьют прямо в лицо, бас прыгает, как бешеная белка. И знаете, что самое смешное? Если завтра мир рухнет — а он рухнет, не обольщайтесь — последним саундтреком станет «Surprise! You’re Dead!». Потому что ирония — наше всё.

Jeg husker den som det mindst interessante FNM album med Mike Patton, men den lyder stadig virkelig godt og nyskabende. Definitivt 90’er album der kom ud i 80’erne. Sindssyge basgange på hvert nummer. Krydser fingre for at Angel Dust også dukker op

En af de første plader jeg købte, har hørt den urimeligt meget! Det kan godt blive liiiidt for Red Hot Chili Peppers-coded, men til Faith No More's forsvar gjorde de det først og bedst

I must admit I don't know well FNM discography despite their fame (and influence) in the metal community. This, released in the late 80s, is clearly a huge influence for the nu-metal scene of the mid-90s. It has a interesting blend of hard rock/metal from the 80s, some proto-grunge, funk and hip hop (not always the best part to be honest). Patton has a interesting vocal range, even though his way of singing is sometimes irritating, sounding almost like Billy Corgan. It didn't strike me as annoying in his other projects (Fantomas or Tomahawk). Some part (especially the rap ones) have not aged too well unfortunately.

Good rock album

I first heard Faith No More when I started hearing "Epic" on the radio when I was about to graduate high school, in 2003. I listened to our local alternative rock station quite a bit growing up, and I swear I'd never heard it before then. Did it get added to their rotation for the first time around then, or had it just managed to pass me by for several years? I'll never know, I guess. Anyway, I remember becoming really obsessed with "Epic" for a several months, but the only other Faith No More song I know is "We Care A Lot," which was on one of the Rock Band video games. I've been holding off on listening to this album, since I knew it would come up for me eventually, and I'm glad that day is finally here! I wasn’t blown away by The Real Thing, but I thought it was unique, and overall, really good. The thing that really grabbed about this album was the keyboard playing. The keyboards added a lot of depth to the sound, and added to the dark atmosphere of the album. A lot the lyrical themes were pretty dark and depressing, and the musical arrangements enhanced those themes quite a bit. I know Mike Patton’s voice is pretty divisive, but I enjoyed his nasally singing and the power behind his spoken/rapped lyrics. The bass playing on this album was really good too, but I wish it would have been at forefront more often that it was. “Epic” was my favorite song on the album, but I really enjoyed “From Out of Nowhere” as well. The guitar playing and Mike Patton’s vocals make “Epic” so much fun, even though I’ve heard it countless times. The keyboard playing on “From Out of Nowhere” was my favorite on the album, and it was a perfect opening track that established the overall sound of the album. My biggest complaint with The Real Thing is that it felt a bit bloated when it came to its length; even with only listening to the LP version, I thought that it could have stood to drop about ten minutes or so. Still, this was an enjoyable album, and it would serve as a really good soundtrack for a workout session.

The bass slaps. Overall enjoyable. Funny reading hating reviews for this kick-starting nu-metal, when the previous album was slipknot which I enjoyed more

Fantastic album great sound

Cool album! 3.5/5

classic, timeless

It’s pretty good and maybe it’s just cause they’re iconic but I feel like I’ve heard this album a million times before. It’s like if the Red Hoy Chili Peppers did metal instead of funk

A great record

а мне понравилось, учитывая что это 89 год - думаю из этой группы вылезла альт-рок/ню- метал сцена

Better than I remember, may need to revisit

Fair

I didn’t know what to expect, but I really enjoyed this album. Some good rock music with some great riffs

Not my usual likes but for some reason I always liked FNM. Still do.

These first 3 songs make me feel like I can lift a car off a baby. Yaaaas I hadn't listened to this in decades. Interesting to look back - for years I thought I'd hated the mix of rap+rock but I did love this album (and Rage...) which mostly preceded it all. Instead I realize it was definitely the closely-aligned gross nu-metal that was and still is goddamn reprehensible. It's a fine line and maybe they should be docked a point for perhaps being the genesis of the worst "musical" genre to ever exist on mother earth... I digress ... and truly this is not quite that - a definite head banger this one. The negative - and it's huge and in no way could I properly express or identify it back in the day - is the massively loud and overly compressed mix. It sounds awful, just everything is at 11 at all times. Gets real weary on the ears. I hate thrash but for some reason the few examples approaching it here (e.g. "Surprise! You're Dead!") don't bother me as much - maybe it's the tongue-in-cheek aspect of it, or that it's just a little flight of fancy. Great to hear this one again, the CD is somewhere deep in the basement so I gotta keep this in the streaming library - I'd forgotten about the "War Pigs" cover and that was a fun re-discovery. 8/10 4 stars.

I really liked this one. It felt like an early pop/punk album mixed with some 80s hair metal. The cover of War Pigs and the last blues tune really sealed the deal for me.

Love this. Makes me bounce about and feel young

Solid album, great tunes, Love Mike's voice!

Woah. I like this. Faith No More is a band that I'd only somewhat heard of before getting this album. All I really knew was that they were a metal-adjacent band with a guy named Mike Patton on vocals. I really didn't know what to expect going into their third album (and first with Patton), The Real Thing. Fortunately, what I ended up getting was a pretty cool album! The Real Thing is very different from the majority of the albums on this list, but I think that's a good thing. The album stands out in a good way. Patton's vocals are very love-it-or-hate-it. I wasn't huge on them at first, but they've definitely grown on me a bit. They're certainly characteristic. The writing is varied and pretty interesting as well. Like, what do you think a song called "Zombie Eaters" is about? Did you say babies? Probably not, but that's what the song is about! The instrumentation has got to be my favorite thing here. The bass lines, guitar riffs, and drumming are all incredibly strong. I love them. These songs are pretty cool overall. "Falling to Pieces" has an amazing bass part. "From Out of Nowhere" is a cool opener. The album's most popular song, "Epic" is, as the title suggests, pretty epic. There's even a pretty good cover of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" as a bonus track. Overall, The Real Thing is a pretty good first impression to a band that I probably should've checked out earlier. And apparently, this isn't even their best album, so I may have to check out some of their other albums later. Strong 4/5.

Great sound, fun album.

3.7 3x despite being familiar with war pigs and epic, didn't realize it was this band

I really liked the album instrumentals. Enjoyable and such a vibe. Definitely good perspective on what 80s/90s rock sounded like.

4/5. Nu-metal is major hit or miss and it really just depends on the vibe. There are some cringe moments here, a staple of nu-metal, but there are some pretty sweet heavier moments that let it stand out. Like the vocalist can really sing when he wants to and the drummer goes hard along with the guitarist. This was a much more satisfying album than I was expecting but it's on thin ice to go down to a 3. Best Song: Epic, The Real Thing, Woodpecker From Mars (Bonus, I dig the War Pigs cover, that was pretty sick)

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with the video for Epic. I didn't have MTV at home, so it was sort of rare to see it. Song is top notch.

Nice rock.

Great Faith No More

Und immer wieder ein Push nach vorne. Großartig!

3.64

This is a strange mix of metal paired with keyboards, long-hair, harmonization and spoken word. The Real Thing fused together a lot of disparate trends emerging in pop music. I'm dating myself here, but this is one of the first albums I ever purchased. To me, War Pigs was the best song on the album and likely my first exposure to Sabbath. Great album and some of the best money I ever spent at Peaches.

a lot better than expected a wide variety

This is really cool. From Out of Nowhere and Woodpecker From Mars are my favorite songs here. The bass slaps and the other instruments are well played too. The best hard rock that the 80's had to offer. A lot better than the hair metal drivel that came before and a lot better than the countless rap rock nu metal albums that were inspired by it.

I need to listen to more stuff with Mike Patton, everything he does seems to be so much fun.

This album rocked. Got better and better too. Mike Patton is an all timer as a front man.

Nice

Great album from a bygone era.

A unique blend of styles that you would not expect if all you knew were the pop metal singles. But, lucky for me, a good friend had this back in the day so I was prepared. Overall, a 3.5*.. But I will round up because it made me feel good to listen to today.

Better the first listen, but it gets the benefit of a dry week.

Been a bit since I've listed to this one. Enjoyed it more than I remember. I honestly think Angel Dust should be here instead of this album, but it stand up pretty damn well, all the same.

Enjoyed this rocky metaly melodic RCHP alike vibe

I first came into contact with Faith no More with the album "Angel Dust". And I thought that album was great. It took me a while to get to The Real Thing. I only got and listened to this album as part of a 4 CD collection. I also think this album is great. However, as I have just checked, I still think "Angel Dust" is better. 4/5

Faith no more is an acquired taste but damn mike Patton is one of the greatest vocalists out there

good bit not blown away

Loved this album from beginning to end when it first came out. Still sounds pretty damn good.

There are some really cool and funky baselines here

I never this record in it's entirety before. It was pretty good.

"The Real Thing" is the third studio album by Anerican rock band Faith No More and the first album with lead vocalist Mike Patton following the dismal of Chuck Mosley. Alternative metal, funk metal and rap metal are the Wiki-listed genres. I'll agree with that. The other bandmembers included Mike Bordin (drums), Roddy Bottum (keyboards), Bill Gould (bass) and James Martin (guitars). Commercially, the album hit #11 in the US and #30 in the UK. A driving guitar and bass and pounding drums kick-off "From Out of Nowhere." Melodic keys. Patton's nasily vocals as he sees a girl and she's gone. A big grand orchestral-sounding intro begins "Epic" then changes to rap with a hip hop beat and then back to the synth chorus with Patton singing. They add in a heavy metal guitar interlude. This is a smorgasbord board of styles. And, of course, the piano outro. Fish, anyone? Bill Gould brings the funky bass in "Falling to Pieces." A Living Colour-esque guitar. 80's style synths. Catchy, almost poppy. Nice touch with the female backing vocals at the end. "Surprise! You're Dead" brings it. Speed metal guitar and pace. Patton raps and has a great evil laugh. The album closes with an instrumental in "Woodpecker from Mars." The band is just showing off their technical ability. Symphony-sounding synths mixed with a heavy metal band. Dramatic. And, a bass jam. The first time I heard "Epic" I was a little confused. I liked the song somewhat but found it a bit much musically combining the styles. I still hear the same thing but I know now after listening to this album that this is one of the strengths of this band and album. The band has a funky bass, heavy metal guitar, 80's-style synth, versatile drumming and a bratty-sounding guy rapping and singing. And this works. Everyone musically holds their own and contributes. This is really good album. It's another album that I've had this week that I'm not sure I get in 1989. Highly recommended.

Really enjoyed

Honestly a very fun listen. It's like a more palatable version of RHCP (fuck Anthony Kiedis.) Quite good indeed.

As I've been getting into metal, I guess it's no surprise that this record grew on me. Although I gravitate towards albums from this century, I know the classics a bit, and normals don't vibe as well with them. But this record just keeps on hitting

I think this is good as far as hard rock goes probably especially back in 1989. But the one guy‘s voice is so high and scratchy. I just can’t stand that voice. I got good beat. It’s got good hooks.

Очень разнообразно

This was a good album. As a rock fan I rather enjoyed the riffs and it had a very T.Rex or Iggy Pop feel to it. This was an enjoyable listen to be honest and I am debating if it’s worthy of the four stars I could very possibly rate it.

This was a really interesting album! I'm honestly surprised it came out in the 80s it sounds really fresh still. If you told me a 2010s rock band released this I'd believe you.

Great

Album 500 of 1001 Faith No More - The Real Thing Rating : 4 / 5 Favorite Tracks : Epic / War Pigs i love when I get an album that sneaks up on me. Really enjoyed this. At first I was feeling a mix of Oasis & Red Hot Chili Peppers but I was soon feeling them. A couple of tracks I recognized but couldn't have told you who the artist was. Good stuff here. Will certainly be putting this one on again.

Arguably every nu metal act can trace their genre back to this band—in particular this album, Faith No More’s first with Mike Patton on lead vocals. But the thing is, this is leagues ahead of every imitator; it’s fresh, funny, and brutal.

Really interesting compositions. The longer songs were a bit more difficult to get into but the album is overall good. Never even heard of this band before so that makes it a nice surprise. Really like the genre combinations, it works well. Highlights: From Out of Nowhere Surprise! You're Dead! Underwater Love Edge of the World

A little dated sounding now, but still kills. Their next two records are better.

This was VERY COOL. Enjoyed it a lot. The first half was a bit hit and miss but the instrumental slapped and I really enjoyed underwater love and war pigs.

Solid influence on the 90s

It's really good man. I have no idea why I hadn't properly dug into Faith No More before beyond a very surface level. I like Mike Patton's voice, I like the heavy driving riffs, and I like their style. It sounds super fresh given it came out at the tail end of the 80's. Rock \m/

This was a totally new band to me, and I was pleasantly surprised by how varied this album was. I felt like there were 5 or 6 different genres all happening at once. Definitely a breath of fresh air!

More fun than I thought this would be. Especially with the track Epic on here it’s getting rounded up for sure.

4/5

I have heard the song Epic probably hundreds of times, and I never once asked who sang this. And i definitely didnt know it was an 80s song, though mid 90s grunge era. This album by Faith No More is kind of ridiculous, but its fun in that way. It doesnt take itself too seriously, as evident by the lyrics in Zombie Eaters, and its cover of War Pigs is seriously great. I think my favorite is probably Woodpecker from Mars, but Falling to Pieces is good too.

Had only heard Epic but this album was way better than i imagined. You get a bit tired of his vocie after a couple of track though... but it has some interesting variety between tracks.

I forgot how much I liked this opening track. Ok, so apparently I know the first 4 tracks pretty well. Ok loved that album. Especially “woodpecker from mars”.

Ganske nice egt,

Pretty awesome. Never listened to them other than the one single.

Carried a bit by Epic. But was still a decent album other than that standout track

Wasn't familiar with this one before, but it was pretty good! Favorite tracks: "Epic," "Woodpecker From Mars," and the "War Pigs" cover.

I've always loved the original and unique sound of faith no more.

This is not my favorite Faith No More album, or even possibly my third, but it has grown on me since the release. I heard it as a precursor to rap-rock and nu-metal when it came out and was not a fan. However, Mike Patton is now one of my favorite vocalists, and I often go back to Faith No More as "feel-good" music for me, now understanding what they were doing and how it led into the other amazing albums they did, such as my favorite "Angel Dust."

A good middle ground between grunge and metal. I enjoyed the album as a whole, even if the War Pigs cover was a little ill-advised.

Enjoyed the opening songs- amazing this record came out in the 80’s…. More alternative then metal…

Oh my, did a bunch of people gush over this album when I was in high school! Gotta admit, it is worth a spot in the top portion of this list. Never a real fan, but FNM totally have my respect. Mike Patton is a true innovator and one hell of a vocalist.

7 / 10 Precedente del Nu Metal que se puso de moda en los 2000. Mezcla de Hard Rock, Rap y Metal.

After kicking around the margins for quite some time, even having Courtney Love on the payroll, Faith No More finally hit their stride with Mike Patton and The Real Thing. Whether or not they were seen as imitators or Johnny come latelys, what is for sure is that there is plenty of inventive musicality going on in this album, when Patton's extracurricular exploits are taken into consideration. What no one else knew is that Faith No More were just reaching the tip of the iceburg and that the best, and strange, is yet to come. Favorites: From Out of Nowhere, Epic, Falling Into Pieces, Zombie Eaters, The Real Thing, Underwater Love, Woodpecker From Mars, Edge of the World.

Love this album! Still one of my favorites!

Really liked the combination of so many different genre.

I enjoyed it.

One of the best Red Hot Chilli Peppers albums

Epic and an unexpected cover of War Pigs

Mike Patton sing good. Even make rap metal sound good.

It really did wonders for Faith No More to get Mike Patton to join the band. He’s a creative force of nature who seem to master every genre and sound thrown at him. Some aspects sound a bit dated, but considering this was released in 1989 it might actually just be more revolutionizing than dated.

Bought this early in my music journey and never quite got into it until my adult life. RATM-light in some ways but I enjoy it.

Ehdottomasti keskimääräistä levyä parempi. Itse löysin tämän orkesterin vasta n. 20 vuotta tämän levyn ilmestymisen jälkeen ja vähiin on jäänyt kuuntelukerrat joissa olisi mennyt levyllinen kerrallaan.

I like a bunch of songs on this album. It's not all great, but it is unique.

A whole lot of variety, especially in the vocals (that are sometimes more of an acquired taste) Favourite Songs: From Out Of Nowhere, Underwater Love, Woodpecker From Mars Notes: - "From Out Of Knowwhere" Cool Riff and Bassline - "Epic" Did Not expect Rap after first song. Sounds like 2000s (New Metal + Pop Rock), interresting Solo + Piano Outro - "Falling To Pieces" Vibratoey Bass go brr - "Surprise You're Dead" some thrash - "Zombie Eaters" starts more solemn with Epitaph-Like acoustic riff, changes to heavy bass riff - "The Real Thing" Unsettling Rhythm, starts a little constricted and opens up, lyrics repeat hauntingly - "Underwater Love" Slap, Guitar Trills, Banger - "Woodpecker From Mars" Phrygian dominant? Instrumental with really interesting arrangement - "War Pigs" starts more doomey than original - "Edge of the World" smooth swing? ...and it actually stayed this way and sounded good

Quite a few good tracks on this album.. From Out of Nowhere Epic The Real Thing War Pigs (Good cover) Never really listened to the before. Found I actually liked them. It's a good 4

so good!! I knew a few songs but I really enjoyed it!!

I remember the first time I was introduced to Faith No More. I first heard their hit song Epic while playing Rock Band. I liked the song, but never really explored any of their other stuff, so this will be an interesting listen today. Epic features some funk rap stylings similar to what you would see Red Hot Chili Peppers and Beastie Boys do. There is some really funky bass grooves throughout this record. I find it interesting that Epic is their break out hit off of this record, as I would rate it as one of the weaker songs on the album. There is a wide range of styles here. Everything from hard rock to funk to rap. Overall a pretty solid album all around. Glad I listened, and wouldn't be opposed to listening again. There is a really solid version of Black Sabbath's song: War Pigs on this album, which took me by surprise. Favourite songs: Surprise! You're Dead!, War Pigs, Epic, From Out of Nowhere, Falling to Pieces, The Real Thing, Underwater Love Least favourite songs: Edge of the World 4/5

Solid Album!

Was late to the party on these guys but was way into all the subsequent influences. Really fun here

Epic

Almost didn’t get into this one, but it turned out to be pretty good.

Good memories back in the 80s. So many different styles on that album. Epic and Zombie Eaters are my favorites. On the Deluxe Version especially the Cowboy Song

Classic. Takes me back. Not quite worthy of a five though

I am really starting to like this type of music more and more

Not very familiar with this band. Didn't realize I knew a couple of these songs -- wouldn't have been able to say who sang them. Reminds me of a mix of RHCP and Alice in Chains. I did think most of it was pretty good. Somewhere between a 3-4, but I'll round up.

This was awesome.

Rock

Absolute classic

Hmmm Buttrock

I kind of hate "Epic" due to excessive radio play and obnoxious vocals, but this album has surprising range. Overall the "hit" single brings this album down in my opinion. Even the cover of War Pigs was surprisingly good.

Hard hitting rock.

This was a lot of fun, can definitely see how influential it has been to a lot of music I grew up with.

So Gen-X!

At times funky, at times speedy. Bass runs were great with some interesting drumming.

Fun! Of course I'd heard Epic, but never knew who it was by. Lots of great tracks on here, but never takes itself too seriously. Great War Pigs cover. Favorite track: The Real Thing

Aggressive, menacing, a fair bit theatrical. Everything a rock album should be.

I bought this on tape when it came out, and I loved it. Still sounds great and hasn't dated as much as other stuff from that period.

It's crazy to think how far Mike Patton would go in terms of creativity using only his voice. But for now, he was just this killer vocalist that helped Faith No More to reach unexpected highs with their blend of funk metal.

I was an 8 year old kid when I was first given this album, on cassette. It will always hold a special place in my heart, is it Faith No Mores best album? No that would be Angel Dust. Still this is a classic album that helped pave way for future bands and helped shaped the minds of plenty of kids. This album lead me to funk, jazz, punk, and metal.

Really good and had me deep diving Mike Patton

Solid 3 star album with 5 star song.

A groundbreaking album that helped push Alt Rock into the mainstream. Hard not to give it 5 stars, but "Angel Dust" was even better. Punchy as hell, this album is often blamed for the rise of Rap-Metal, but they were much more than that. Thrash, Pop, Rap, Noise...It's all there. Can't hear "Epic" without seeing that poor fish flopping around at the end of the video. I was lucky enough to work with Roddy Bottum recently. If you like this, check out his latest band, Man On Man. I thought they were excellent.

The world’s introduction to the marvel that is Mike Patton.

As a middle-aged metalhead with a beard, I am required to give this album a high rating, as decreed by the Council of Beard Metal Bros

Pros: The album showcases the versatility of lead singer Mike Patton, who effortlessly transitions between different styles and genres, including scorching falsettos and rapping 2 . The inclusion of rock-rap, death metal screams, and bluesy organ creates a unique and captivating sound 2 . The track "War Pigs" is a standout cover, adding an interesting contrast to the album 2 . Cons: Some listeners may find the album's audacious and incoherent nature overwhelming, as it incorporates a wide range of sounds and styles 2 . The album's connection to a long-past funk-metal zeitgeist may make it feel dated for some listeners 1 . Notable Tracks: "Epic" "Falling to Pieces" "From Out of Nowhere" "Zombie Eaters" "The Real Thing" "Underwater Love" "The Morning After" Overall, "The Real Thing" is a unique and influential album that showcases Faith No More's ability to blend different genres and styles. While some listeners may find its incoherence and connection to a specific time period off-putting, others will appreciate its audacity and the versatility of its lead singer.

Au début je n'étais vraiment pas sûr d'aimer, surtout quand Epic a embarqué (moins bonne que dans mees souvenirs). Mais plus l'album avançait et plus j'embarquais vraiment dedans. Leur style de alt metal est vraiment unique tout en sonnant familier. Définitivement dans les meilleurs albums qui mélangent rap et rock/metal. À réécouter pour sûr. 8/10

Faith no More is not one-hit wonder at all, Angel Dust would prove it 3 years later. But this albums, although considered very influential by many musicians, loses some of it consistency in the second half after being very hard-hitting in the first half. I prefer this album's version of War Pigs than the original one by Black Sabbth a little bit. No blasphemy at all, only personal bias for Patton's voice Fav Track: It's pretty hard, but final choice falls into From out of Nowhere

Enjoyed this album, has some great songs and there is a real mix of styles which keeps it interesting. The first half of the album is stronger than the later but I did enjoy the faster paced version of War Pigs. When Serj Tankian and Corey Taylor cite your band as a big influence then you really are in good company. Will definetly give this another listen. Highlights From out of Nowhere Epic Surprise! You're Dead!

I only know epic by faith no more because it was played loads when I did nothing but watch mtv2 and kerrang. Never listened to them otherwise. This was really good. Such a mix of styles. I hadn't previously realised how similar epic and a couple of others are to early RHCP with the bass and vocal style like Anthony Kiedis. I probably would've loved this when I was in my RHCP phase! Then there are some pretty heavy metal sounding tracks too. Didn't like the slower more progressive tracks so much. Highlights: From out of nowhere Epic Falling to pieces Surprise, you're dead Felt the first half of the album was considerably better than the second but still enjoyed it overall. That cover of war pigs is arguably better then the original. I'll be back

As someone who is not the biggest fan of rap rock, this album is meh. I don't particularly like rap rock because I think it often has some of the weakest, most unbearable rapping I have ever heard. I always feel like when rock rap bands rap, it always sounds like it would just be better if they sang. This album does feature some of that but it does have a lot of really good aspects. The first is the rapping is not as basic as others and they don't rap nearly as much as other groups. I really liked most of the guitar playing on this album and appreciated some of the minor details like ending "Epic" with a soft piano interlude. The first three tracks were actually pretty good, in spite of the poor rapping on "Epic". I liked "Surprise! You're Dead!" but I am not the biggest fan of screaming in my music and while it was just a minor part it did make the song worse for me. Still the solid instrumentation throughout that track made it a worthwhile song to listen to. "Zombie Eaters" stars out with some really nice instrumentation and vocals that I think are a highlight on the album. They guitar and keyboard work seamlessly together and create one of the best soundscapes on the album. The second half of the track is still good and I like the progression on the track which keeps it one of the most interesting songs on the album from start to end. The only downside is some of the vocals are kinda meh specifically the line "I'm just a little baby", every time the lead vocalist said it it kind of made me think "Why did you sing it that way?". I just felt like there was probably a better way you could have done that line to me. The next track is "The Real Thing" and it is pretty good but like a lot of other music my one issue is it did not have no be that long and that is all that I could think once I got around the six minute mark of the track. This track also features some vocals around the three minute mark that I expect some may call rap rock but I personally don't think it really fits the bill. To me it is closer to spoken word then rap and I think it honestly sounds a lot better to me than what I think of when I think of rap rock like Papa Roach, P.O.D. or Limp Bizkit. That is not to say I dislike those bands it is just I don't like their rapping in general. I think the album starts to fall off after that besides "Woodpecker From Mars" and "Edge of the World". Overall this is one of the best albums I have heard from the genre it is just not a genre I am super fond of. I think the fact that rap was included less then in other albums from the genre made it a little bit better for me. 8-8.5/10

A fun album. Good rock and funk vibes. Surprised I’ve never heard anything other than “Epic” from this. Definitely adding this to my usual running playlist.

The behemoth that allowed Mr Bungle to thrive.

Overall it's a pretty fun listen, the grooves are good and the bass goes really hard. But man, these tracks live and die with how much nasality Mike Patton puts into it

Muito bom, uma mistura de gêneros.

I really wanted to love this album as a teenager. Tried so hard to get into it but after the first 3 tracks I would skip to the real thing and then end it there. Disappointing. Angel Dust was always my jam. Listening back with a much wider appreciation of music it's actually top notch. Makes much more sense after knowing Mike Pattons range a lot better, there's even hints of Mr Bungle in this despite the music being written before he apparently joined. What turned me off as a teenager was the jump from the thrash Surprise youre dead to soft rock of Zombie Eaters. But this time i was into the floating genres, very Mike Patton and very cool.

Great fun even if it's a bit dated. I thikk their 3 albums after this were better as Patton came into his own but this is still a classic

7/10 I actually dug this more than I thought I would a little too hard-rock/grunge at times, but I really liked their usage of synthesizers, and the general composition style was nice

solid

Funky alt rock

- Never listened to Faith No More before, this is sick - I can feel the influence that this had on bands that came after it - Love the nu metal vibes, gonna check out the rest of this band

I had a friend who would refuse to say Mike Patton's name without the prefix 'sexy'. He's not wrong. It's not Mr Bungle or anything yet, but it's still great, varied and fun.

A very distinctive band in that period imho. It still sounds good today. The two albums after this one, might get full scores :) Minus for this album is the production and voice of Patton.

This is how you do arena rock. They have their own unique sound, so grand and full with accessible riffs and catchy melodies. One of the earliest successful fusions of rock / metal with hip hop and funk. It's insane a rap metal song like "Epic" came out in the 80s, years before it was popular, and it's done so well. I hear Sly and Prince influences with songs like "From out of Nowhere." Usually I see bands from the era labelled as alt metal, and they tend to be more rock than metal, but there are some very thrashy songs like "Surprise!" that scream bands like Anthrax. I do prefer their proggier next album, Angel Dust, more. And this record does go on way too long, with a few forgettable tracks in the second half. Favorites: Falling to pieces, Epic, The Real Thing, Edge of the World

Interesting choice. An experimental lineup that release an album on the vanguard of a genre. Not bad. Couple of bangers.

HL: "From Out of Nowhere", "Epic", "Zombie Eaters", "Woodpecker From Mars" Exceeded expectations. I've come around on "Epic", it used to be one of my least favourite songs on Rock Band for the PS2 Technically it's a bonus track, but "War Pigs" is the one thing I'd cut. Decent rendition of a great song, but isn't that different from the original when done by Faith No More July 6, 2023

While I think I may enjoy Mike Patton's other project(s), such as Mr. Bungle for their more showbiz-esque nature, this is still very enjoyable, albeit kind of long winded. I have to give credit to Patton, though, not only for his voice and range, but also for being one of the musicians out there that respects and has even worked with Sparks, always bonus points for that, as I am a Mael brothers shill, just the way I like it. Anyway, good album.

Still rocks. A mixture of heavy metal, funk and rap. Lyrics are a little weak. Nice cover of War Pigs.

I’ve been aware of this album and more specifically Epic since the early 2000s. I may have first heard of them during the VH1 top music videos of the 90s week long special they did. I remember the one critic describing the video and asking ‘why is there a fish flopping around at the end? It doesn’t matter!’. But I’ve mostly just filed it away as a curio from the 90s. I have come to realize in the last couple of years this is actually one of the most influential albums of the 90s and is responsible for plunging us in to 1000 years of darkness as Limp Bizkit and Korn took their musical style largely from this record specifically. This is still better than those guys though. Really evokes the stocky men in zip up-sleeveless hoodies and long basketball shorts vibe.

Quite a nice surprise. Though i was familiar with Epic, wasn't sure what to expect from the rest of the album. Though not all the rap works for me, it is blended with with aggressive/energetic music, melodies, and some decent singing. I think even instrumental pieces work here and the war pigs cover is really good. Strong album.

Brilliant, 4 stars

Bon vieux Rock Métal

Love everything by Patton.

Not sure if I was t a faith no more fan that I wouldn’t be saying it’s of it’s time.

Neat, kinda metal coolness

Like a heavier RHCP; though I don't think this quite hits the highs of some of their best, it's better than a lot of their stuff, and I'm always happy with a little more Mike Patton.

Took me back for sure, used to listen to them in early teen years. Started strong but tailed of 4 songs in. Loved the bass sound ans the vocals.

Was going to be a three but the sabbath cover moved them up.

Brill. Can’t beat a bit of FNM.

This is where they hit the map. Bringing on Patton and setting MTV on fire with Epic. I think Angel Dust is a better album, but this was an intro for a lot of folks and brought their weird but infectious vision of progressive funk metal to the masses.

I liked this, although I like their next album “Angel Dust” more. Still a good listen.

Loved it.

Perfect example of 80’s metal crossing into 90’s grunge time. I love it, but apparently Angel Dust is the one I listened to more.

First time listening (aside from Epic)! This album surprised me. I liked the cool bass riffs sprinkled throughout. And how theatrical (?) it was. There were times I thought “wtf is this?!”, and there were times I had to dance along to the bouncy drums. Falling to Pieces was my fave. And the Sabbath cover was rad. I hope the overlords in my friend group will keep me after this review. 🙏

Epic is….epic!

The vocal style took a bit to get used to, but I like the overall sound.

They're a weird mix of rock, and screaming metal... with ballardy backing guitar. They've got some epic songs... pun intended. Shame the best song on the album is a cover of War Pigs.

This was surprisingly good (other than Epic). Like a Kmart RHCP or Muse vibe going.

Extra Spicy Red Hot Chili Peppers. 4

Vet album, veel originele nummers. Redelijk afwisselend bovendien.

Yes, finally something that I like!

Faith No More grabbed my attention when I first heard their first single (At least, the first one released in Australia); We Care A Lot. In 1987 I traipsed down to the Virgin Megastore and plonked down my hard=earned for a copy of the 12", pressed on criminally flimsy 80s vinyl. it was so thin, I initially thought there wasn't a record inside the cover. That single was later stolen from a share house I lived in, and I wish I knew what bastard took it so I could explain to them in short, percussive terms how displeased I was. I managed to pick up a 7" copy to replace it quiet recently. I should pull that out and give it a spin... This album was released in late 1989. My mate Tim and I loved it, and used to play it a _lot_. It was a point of reference for the band we were trying to form. So, when FNM announced an Australian tour, playing at the (tiny) Marquee Club in Camperdown, we jumped on tickets. That must have been in about March 1990. In July, they released Epic as a single, and it went gangbusters. It entered the chart at #22, about two weeks before the gig on 5 August. But the end of the month it was #1 on the ARIA charts. Needless to say, the shows became a very hot ticket. Everyone suddenly wanted them, and Tim and I had them. I could not wait for this show; much anticipation. And then the day before the gig, I started coughing. By the afternoon of the show, I could barely stand with some horrible pneumonia-like chest infection. Despite being 19 and generally feeling invincible, even I could tell that going to the show would probably kill me. So Tim scalped my ticket and made a tidy profit. He said the show was a fantastic, but I missed it. I still regret that I didn't see them in a small club at the height of their powers., when I was _that close_. But I still love this whole album. It's basically a bludgeoning metal album, although the rhythm section swing a bit more than a typical 80s metal band, and they don't take themselves too seriously (which immediately makes them more listenable than, say, Megadeth). There are tunes you can sing along with, Mike Patton is a charismatic front man, and the keys lift the arrangements (even if the cheesy digital synths are hilariously of their time). The influence of musical genres outside of straight metal help maintain interest without descending into willfully "weirdo" genre-hopping pastiche or collage (cf Mr Bungle, Mike Patton's other band). There were other bands doing similar things (Fishbone, Living Colour, Bad Brains), so it was hardly unique, but it was well done, and certainly more listenable than most of the horrible rap-rock that followed. or "nu-metal", even worse. This was one of the first initial pre-shocks of 80s alternative busting into the mainstream. Nirvana really kicked the doors down, but bands like Faith No More were among the vanguard. And I really dug it when I was 19. I enjoyed revisiting it now, 30 years later. I miss Tim, and this album reminds me of him.

A very good disk

Well I'm biased - loved Faith No More in the past, but now, with the exercise of listening to some of my favourite records in my youth, and sometimes feeling the cringe - this is kind of less so. Yes Mike Patton feels less interesting to me than he did in the past from this record, but there's a hint of what's to come in the dark but silly sense of humour in songs like Surprise! You're Dead! and some of the Pattonisms littered throughout. Also musically the record is solid, albeit a bit too much on the tail end of the 80s metal production - and while there is the undeniable similarity to the Chili Peppers, at least refreshingly they did not inherent the schoolyard sleaze and the misogyny. And the closing instrumental 'Woodpecker from Mars' has aged well.

First time actually listening to this album. Knew a couple of songs going in, but the only full Faith No More album I've ever properly listened to is Angel Dust - while a handful of the songs I know best are actually from King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime. I really dig Mike Patton but have listened to a surprisingly small amount of his vast body of work. It seems kind of a shame, but also means I get to keep enjoying new discoveries for a while longer. I definitely think I dig later FNM more than this one but will be listening to it more for sure. Which isn't to say I dislike it by any means, I just feel like things got better once Patton and the band had a bit more time together. Given that the music for this was already recorded and Patton basically wrote and recorded his parts over it in under two weeks after having just joined the band at barely two decades of age, I'd say that this is actually a damn fine album.

Not my style. But enjoy the hot Epic.

Legends

I was surprised by how many songs I’d heard from this album that I thought was totally obscure. Both epic and war pigs are tracks I’ve heard around but never knew their origins, with war pigs being solid and epic being meh. This was also a very eclectic album as the super heavy war pigs was followed by like a chill nick cave style closer. Falling to pieces was maybe my fav

1989, when this album was released, was quite an interesting place for music in hindsight. the eighties and rock and roll were winding down, and metal and alternative were about to blow up. after listening, it's no surprise when this album was released. it has an eighties touch but it's facing forward, especially with the metal. i heard some similarities with pantera and system of a down, and i have no doubt that faith no more served as some influence. there's a pinch of hip hop in here, too, so again forward facing to the gangster rap of the early nineties. overall, one of the most unusual albums part of this project but an enjoyable one.

This album really surprised me. There is SO much influence here not only for alternative metal bands of the 1990s, but even for nu-metal bands going into the 2000s. I could fill this review with band names, all of whom I guarantee were inspired by this band and album dating back to 1989. The album is full of booming guitar riffs and drums and funky bass lines and vocals. The album had an overall feel and "signature", but the individual tracks were diverse and unique. Being a band with such a diverse cast of characters with different musical histories, this makes total sense; I'm glad they used this to their advantage. Woodpecker from Mars, an instrumental on the album, really hit me and I listened and jammed to it multiple times. This song just SLAYS. I was leery about a cover of War Pigs, as well, but they really did it justice -- no complaints here! Really, I just appreciated the album way more than I was initially expecting. But as someone who enjoys 90s and 2000s alternative and nu-metal, it didn't end up being that surprising. I'm not sure if this is quite a 4, but I'm gonna give it to them anyway, because I really did enjoy this. Just a good listen for anyone who likes this genre.

good themes and background, singing is not my favorite. loved epic, the real thing, and falling to pieces, though they were all good

Introduced to this by my college roommate in 1990-91. He woke up our other roommate one time at 4:30 AM by getting right in his face and yelling, "Can you feel it, see it, hear it today? If you can't, then it doesn't matter anyway!" I think he wanted to wake him up because he had just put thumb tacks in his slippers and figured shaking him awake singing the lyrics to "Epic" by Faith No More was a surefire way to compel him to put on his slippers. I don't think our roommate - some of us called him Hoops, some called him Diamond Dave - ever did wear those sweaters, which is probably for the best. Hoops likely would have accused me. But shoutout to Jason Jorgensen, who I forever owe a debt of gratitude for introducing this album to me. And for making me laugh at the thought of Hoops putting on a pair of slippers filled with thumb tacks. Good times.

It was alright in my opinion but not my favourite rock/metal album on here. It was cool to see that this is an early rap metal album, but it still doesn't change the fact I don't really like much rap metal in the first place. Beyond that, there were some excellent riffs, the songs that weren't rap metal were alright, and their War Pigs cover was superb. Favourite: War Pigs

Really good structured hard rock album

Buen disco de rock con voz peculiar y potente. A ratos salvaje, a ratos más melódico.

Epic is awesome. Strings section is amazing

What a weird album, what a weird band, what a weird period in musical history. This album certainly does not sound like it was from 1989, but I'm also not certain when it does sound like it's from. There's so many musical styles present here, and a lot of it presages what will be happening in music during the 90s as emerging styles start to blend together. Bringing on Mike Patton as the vocalist was unquestionably the correct move. His incredible vocal range, his lyrical talent, and his odd sensibilities fit the band perfectly. 4/5

This band seemed to come From Out of Nowhere for me when this album hit. I wasn't familiar with the Chuck stuff that came before this record until well after it. Probably like a lot of other kids who were in different, or even in my case, adjacent music scenes it was the Epic single and accompanying "goldfish" video that was our introduction. Overall, I like this record well enough — there are a few undeniably great tracks — and I thought Angel Dust was an improvement but I could never get into the band 100%. I always wanted them to be heavier, darker, more aggressive, and less "jokey". Another way to say it in the context of this album is that I enjoy it when it's heavier, darker, more aggressive, and less "jokey" than it sometimes is. It's another record that makes me wish I had half-stars to hand out. In this case, I'm inclined to rate it higher on the whole stars...

LOVED this album. Kid rock owes them a big thank you card for his career. This album seemed so groundbreaking and different to me. Is it rap? Is it metal? It was just good. It was also a bit cheeky - which I liked.

Learned about war pigs liked the rap fusion

oh that was so reallll

It's like if the Chilli Peppers didn't suck. Maybe I don't hate this genre as much as I thought if it was done by actually interesting people. 3.5/5

Pretty cool. Not quite a 4 but better than 3

I had a super cool bestie in college that had this album, and as a result, I got to know it. This style of music really isn't at the top of my list of favorites, so if not for that connection to my bestie, I am sure that I wouldn't like it as much. It was really great to revisit it today!

This was a favorite of mine back when it was new. So most of what I felt listening today was nostalgia. They're bass-y and shout-y and if the songs were new to me, I don't think I'd appreciate them as much today. But this one has the benefit of familiarity.

I had kind of forgotten everything I might have known about Faith No More, and when this album came up I had a negative reaction. But I started playing the album and loved “From Out of Nowhere.” Then I realized that I knew and liked the song “Epic.” By the third song I was starting to think I misjudged. These guys sound like they’re on the brighter side of hard rock/metal - more in my wheelhouse than your Metallicas and Panteras. Then suddenly “Surprise! You’re Dead!” lurched hard right… uh oh. It was followed by “Zombie Eaters”, a ballad that starts off quietly. Now I’m not sure what to make of this… This album is a bit of a journey through a lot of styles, some more appealing to me than others. While I didn’t necessarily need a remake of War Pigs and some of the harder songs didn’t appeal to me, I respect a band who can serve up a smorgasbord of metal like this.

4.0

If this album doesn't wake you up, nothing will!

This is a pretty solid album. I'm pretty much over "Epic" after hearing it a million times over the years (the local butt rock station still plays it regularly) and the War Pigs cover seems pointless, but there's plenty else to like here. I mean, Mike Patton is involved how can it not be good just on that alone? Honestly, I like the FNM albums that followed better. This albums is pretty influential, unfortunately some of the bands it influenced are pretty awful, but I can't blame the band for that. 3.5 being bumped to a 4 because Mike Patton is a God tier vocalist.

It's good Metal. People forget. The hit is great but it was popular for a reason. It was good and all we had was fucking MTV.

Metal, hard rock. Experimental.

It's the Red Hot Chili Peppers for those who would've eventually become Linkin Park fans in the 2000s. Don't really have much to say other than it's a good album with some very cool songs like Edge of the World, The Morning After, Zombie Eaters and Falling to Pieces.

Mér verður hugsað til unglings-mín sem var dissuð og hædd fyrir það að fíla rokk. "Rokk er ekki fyrir stelpur." Fkn sjitt. Þessi plata er góð, Epic er epískt og ábreiðan af War pigs er asskolli fín!

Not ever song was great but solid album.

Really awesome heavy metal pop album