Those who enjoy alternative rock and metal music will most likely be familiar with Faith No More. This iconic metal band has been around since 1979 and helped us rock with albums like The Real Thing and Angel Dust.
However, in the vast music world, they’re not the only bands with this sound. Many groups were influenced by Faith No More’s style and have become icons in the music scene.
Who are these gems? Read on to discover 13 incredible bands similar to Faith No More. Each band brings a unique twist to the genre while resonating with the pioneering spirit of Faith No More.
1. Jane’s Addiction
We begin with the American rock band Jane’s Addiction. Established by singer Perry Farrell and bassist Eric Avery in 1985, they quickly caught the attention of audiences, leading to a rapid rise in their popularity.
The band started their career with a self-titled live album in 1987. Just a year later, Jane’s Addiction released the masterpiece Nothing’s Shocking. This album revolutionized rock music and solidified their position as one of the most influential and iconic alternative rock bands of the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Even though the genre was still finding its footing during this time, the band became a major player, much like Faith No More, another trailblazer in the alternative rock scene.
2. Rage Against The Machine
Next up is Rage Against the Machine, commonly known as RATM. This renowned rock band emerged in 1991 from Los Angeles, California. They share similarities with Faith No More in terms of their profound influence on the alternative music scene.
RATM found their breakthrough success with the release of their self-titled debut album in 1992. The band went on to release three more studio albums and 17 singles. “Killing in the Name” is their #1 hit in the UK charts. Two of their songs, “Tire Me” and “Guerrilla Radio,” won Grammy Awards (Best Metal Performance and Best Hard Rock Performance, respectively).
Despite disbanding in 2000, RATM has reunited multiple times for tours and performances, demonstrating their enduring relevance and popularity in the music world. They are set to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame later in 2023.
3. Sepultura
Hailing from Brazil, Sepultura became known for its death metal sound. Over the years, this evolved to incorporate thrash, hardcore punk, and alternative metal, similar to Faith No More.
Their breakthrough came with the album Beneath the Remains in 1989. This was critically acclaimed for its complex structures and powerful lyrics. It was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Decibel magazine.
Their 1993 release, Chaos A.D., however, marked a significant shift in their sound, wherein they began incorporating elements of groove metal.
Throughout their career, Sepultura continued to experiment with their sound in subsequent releases. Notably, their 1996 album Roots delved into Brazilian tribal music, further showcasing their versatility and creativity.
4. Alice In Chains
Though best known in the grunge music world, Alice in Chains makes it onto this list for their alternative metal influences that echo Faith No More’s style.
Formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987, Alice in Chains gained significant attention with their 1990 debut album, Facelift. It won Best Debut Album from the Concrete Foundations Awards.
The album’s track “Man in the Box” received a Grammy nod for Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal. Following this, Alice in Chains went on to release several more critically acclaimed albums and singles.
Sadly, the lead singer, Layne Staley, passed away in 2002, leading Alice in Chains to take a break. Despite this tragic loss, the remaining members of the band decided to continue making music, returning in 2006.
5. Anthrax
Since they are a thrash metal band and one of the Big Four in this genre, you might be surprised to see Anthrax here. However, they’ve been known to incorporate alternative metal into their music. Like Faith No More, Anthrax has made significant contributions to the genre.
The band debuted in 1984 with Fistful of Metal. But it wasn’t until their third album, Among the Living, that they gained significant recognition. This album is often considered a classic in the thrash metal genre and includes fan favorites like “Caught in a Mosh” and “Indians.”
For fans of Faith No More, you might be more interested in Anthrax’s 1993 album, Sound of White Noise. Not only is this Anthrax’s highest-charting release to date, but it is also the album where their music showed a more alternative metal sound.
6. White Zombie
Our next band, White Zombie, was formed in the heart of New York City in 1985. Initiated by Rob Zombie, the band’s name was inspired by the 1932 Bela Lugosi film of the same title. This hints at their fondness for horror movie culture — an element that would become intrinsic to their identity.
Over their active years, the band released four studio albums. Their 1992 release, La Sexorcisto: Devil Music Volume One, was particularly significant. It featured the hit single “Thunder Kiss ’65,” which became a staple on MTV and propelled the band to mainstream success.
Like Faith No More, White Zombie stood out in the heavy metal scene for their willingness to experiment with their sound and image. In fact, the band’s live shows were renowned as they often included elaborate stage designs rich in horror aesthetics.
7. Soundgarden
Born out of the vibrant music scene of Seattle in 1984, Soundgarden quickly distinguished themselves as a force to be reckoned with. As pioneers of the grunge movement, the band played a crucial role in shaping the alternative rock landscape of the late ’80s and ’90s.
Their music is characterized by a distinctive blend of punk ethos and brutal metal soundscape, akin to Faith No More.
One of their greatest albums is Superunknown. This 1994 release took the top spot on not just the Billboard 200 chart but also the UK Albums and New Zealand Albums chart. Its track “Black Hole Sun” garnered a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance.
Despite the tragic death of frontman Chris Cornell in 2017 and the group’s break soon thereafter, Soundgarden’s music continues to resonate with fans around the world.
8. Tool
Next up is Tool, a band that emerged in 1990. Like Faith No More, Tool’s sound is a mix of progressive rock, alternative metal, and sometimes even jazz and other genres.
Their rise to fame was marked by a series of critically acclaimed albums, starting with their debut EP, Opiate, in 1992.
Their most popular album is 2000’s Lateralus. This album cemented Tool’s status as a premier band in the world of progressive alternative metal. It also earned them a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2002.
Tool followed this up with two more chart-topping releases, 10,000 Days and Fear Inoculum. These won the band two more Grammys: Best Recording Package for the former and Best Metal Performance for “7empest” from the latter album.
9. Tomahawk
Now, we have the supergroup Tomahawk. This band has a more direct connection to Faith No More in that it was formed by FNM’s singer and keyboardist Mike Patton after he left the band in 1998. He was joined by guitar player Duane Denison of The Jesus Lizard.
In their on-and-off career that has lasted two decades, Tomahawk has released five studio albums. In particular, Mit Gas and Anonymous reached the top five of the Heatseekers chart.
Their most recent release, Tonic Immobility, marks the band’s 20-year anniversary and reaffirms their status as one of the most innovative bands in the scene.
10. Twelve Foot Ninja
Another band with a sound compared to Faith No More is Twelve Foot Ninja. Coming from Melbourne, Australia, this heavy metal band is known for their unique fusion of genres. They came together in 2007 and quickly began to make a name for themselves with their innovative sound.
They introduced the world to their distinctive melding of heavy metal, alternative, and progressive music with their debut album, Silent Machine, in 2012. Though this release did not chart, it was well received, leading to their second— and best-selling— album, Outlier.
Twelve Foot Ninja went on to release a third and more successful album in 2021. However, despite this success, the band announced an indefinite hiatus in 2022, leading to the cancellation of their European tour.
11. Glassjaw
Similar to Faith No More, the rock band Glassjaw has been making waves in the alternative metal scene since their formation in 1990. However, their sound is hardcore punk and post-hardcore, making it distinct.
Their debut album, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence, was released in 2000. It helped establish Glassjaw as a key player in the post-hardcore genre.
They followed up with Worship and Tribute two years later. Its tracks “Cosmopolitan Bloodloss” and “Ape Dos Mil” have become fan favorites.
Throughout their career, Glassjaw has seen several lineup changes. But the core duo of Daryl Palumbo (vocals) and Justin Beck (guitar) has remained constant. Their creative partnership has been instrumental in shaping the band’s sound and direction.
12. System Of A Down
The Armenian-American heavy metal band System of a Down (SOAD or System), was formed in Glendale, California, in 1994. The band’s sound, much like Faith No More’s, strikes a balance between ’80s underground thrash metal and metallic early ’90s alternative rock.
Throughout their career, System has released several chart-topping songs. Their single “Chop Suey,” from the album Toxicity, became a huge hit and is often considered one of the band’s signature songs.
This isn’t their only great hit, however. “B.Y.O.B.,” from their chart-topping album Mezmerize, won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance.
Since their last release in 2005, System has not dropped any new albums. However, they are still active, giving fans two new songs in 2020: “Protect the Land” and “Genocidal Humanoidz.” These singles took the #1 and #2 spots on Billboard‘s Hot Hard Rock Songs chart, respectively.
13. Mushroomhead
Ending this list is Mushroomhead, which came together in Cleveland, Ohio. This group is an alternative metal band similar to Faith No More — just so, considering Mushroomhead was influenced by them.
Formed in 1993, the band has made a name for itself with its blend of industrial metal and experimental metal sound.
Unique from others, Mushroomhead’s members are known for wearing jumpsuits and customized masks during performances. This characteristic has become a signature part of their identity.
Despite various lineup changes and challenges, Mushroomhead has remained a constant force in the alternative metal scene. Interested in giving them a listen? Start with their self-titled debut album or their first charting release, XIII.
Summing Up Our List Of Bands Like Faith No More
In wrapping up, we’ve journeyed through the eclectic world of music, exploring bands that share a similar vibe to the iconic Faith No More.
From Jane’s Addiction to Mushroomhead, it’s evident that the innovative spirit of Faith No More lives on in many artists today.
We hope you found this article engaging and useful, possibly helping you discover some new favorites along the way.
However, our list is far from complete. Let us know which bands we might have missed so we can add them here for you!
