"The Sopranos" came back with guns blazing at last night's premiere of the show's final season, but cast members admitted the Radio City gala felt a bit like a mob funeral.

"It's sad," said Michael Imperioli, who plays Tony Soprano's nephew in the HBO series. "I didn't know I was gonna feel this way until I got out of the car. The memories just welled up."

"I'm heartbroken," said Tony Sirico, aka tough guy Paulie Walnuts. "It's been a journey of a lifetime. We've all become friends. This feels like the last night."

Star James Gandolfini hailed the "humor, humanity and courage" of "Sopranos" creator David Chase.

"He had the blue-collar work ethic and he brought a lot of blue-collar people together to make something quite exceptional," he said.

Edie Falco, who plays Tony's wife, Carmela, agreed, saying, "I stand by my husband."

The series begins April 8.

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