It’s 2022, September already, a busy time for album releases, a welter of “product” and, more importantly, a feast of music. And I can safely say that – until now – I haven’t heard an album quite like The Mars Volta. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Cedric Bixler-Zavala
The Mars Volta Are in The Studio Making New Music Right Now!
Apparently, The Mars Volta have reunited and are currently working on new music. In a series of tweets that nearly broke music Twitter on Saturday, frontman Cedric Bixler-Zavala hinted at the band’s impending return, posting a response a fan who said “I dream with you guys giving TMV a new chapter,” Bixler-Zavala replied, “It’s happening.” He followed it up with more comments about making new music. The Mars Volta broke up in 2013 after Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodríguez-López had a falling out. One year later, however, the longtime collaborators made amends, attributing their feud to a small disagreement between brothers that played out in the public eye. They subsequently formed a new band, Antemasque, and reunited their pre-Mars Volta outfit, At-the Drive-In. We’ll keep you posted as this story develops. Continue reading
The Mars Volta Are Planning A Comeback
Post-hardcore fans rejoice! According to a reply in a tweet by Cedric Bixler-Zavala, The Mars Volta may be reuniting and doing it soon. A fan tweeted some love for the seminal band that broke up officially in 2012, and Cedric responded with a not so subtle answer about a pending reunion. Former members of The Mars Volta play in offshoot bands At The Drive-In and Antemasque among others. No word yet if a return from TMV includes new music or just touring.Continue reading
Antemasque – Antemasque
Following the ending of The Mars Volta, it seemed the long time working relationship and friendship between Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez had sadly soured and it did seem that tensions were high and this dynamic duo was gone for good. Then, out of the blue arrived Antemasque, with both of them at the helm once again.
After the visceral post-hardcore of At The Drive-In and the explorative and unpredictable prog journeys of the The Mars Volta, Antemasque (Nadie Sound) sees them in new territory. This is a much more straightforward album than they have been accustomed to producing, part blues rock, part indie rock (think NME fodder) with shades of punk. Aside from Bixler-Zavala’s instantly recognisable voice this has little in common with their previous works, and even then this suitably lacks the vocal spite in At The Drive-In.
This is the most simplistic album of the duo’s career; song structures are a stock verse-chorus formula, only 3-4 minute average durations and focused on catchiness and tune rather than tangents and thought provoking routes. The indie vibes may put off many people especially those who discovered them from a progressive background, but otherwise this should make a great summer soundtrack, especially in a festival setting.
7.0/10
CHRIS TIPPELL