Alternative metal can tend to be a dubious genre for many people. While generally too heavy for your typical alternative-rock fan to fully appreciate, on the other side, most metal purists would complain the genre isn’t heavy enough, or too “weird” broadly speaking. But for us unicorns who enjoy the heavier side of alternative music (or a more dynamic/nuanced brand of heavy music), we can all thank our lucky stars for bands like Faith No More, who struck that balance perhaps better than anyone back in their 90s heyday.
Initially starting as a quirky funk-metal band in the 80s, they expanded their range considerably once Mike Patton joined the group. Granted it wasn’t immediately apparent on his first album with the band (1989’s breakout The Real Thing). Still, throughout their subsequent few releases, their music became increasingly unconventional and experimental, thanks mainly to Patton’s inherent eccentricities. They also got manically heavier at times, as this punishing performance of “Jizzlobber” from 1992 aptly demonstrates. It’s quite possibly the heaviest song in Faith No More’s entire catalog, sporting a decidedly malevolent flavor to boot. It might explain Patton’s sadistic backflipping towards the end of the performance (that’s gotta hurt)! Manic Mike indeed. Turn it up and feel the pain:
