History Music / TheMarsVolta

* EpicRocking: They have some pretty lengthy songs, but topping them all is the 32-minute "Cassandra Gemini" from ''Frances the Mute''. Also notable because many of its musical themes were taken from live jams done in the middle of their previous longest song from ''De-Loused in the Comatorium'', "Cicatriz ESP", which would extend its length from 12 minutes (buffered by an ambient section in the middle) to 40+ minutes (all music). A live version of one of these performances is available on ''Scabdates'', although it also has eight minutes of MindScrew-inducing ambience inserted into the middle for some reason. This isn't all, by the way - perhaps most notably, "Drunkship of Lanterns" was known to reach as long as 34 minutes in live performances (e.g., the May 1, 2005, performance in Philadelphia).

* EpicRocking: They have some pretty lengthy songs, but topping them all is the 32-minute "Cassandra Gemini" from ''Frances the Mute''. Also notable because many of its musical themes were taken from live jams done in the middle of their previous longest song from ''De-Loused in the Comatorium'', "Cicatriz ESP", which would extend its length from 12 minutes (buffered by an ambient section in the middle) to 40+ minutes (all music). A live version of one of these performances is available on ''Scabdates'', although it also has eight minutes of MindScrew-inducing ambience inserted into the middle for some reason.

The Mars Volta was/is a GenreBusting ProgressiveRock band from El Paso, Texas (at some points also based in Mexico) formed in 2001. As of Feburary 2018, they have released six studio albums, an EP, a live album, and a handful of other releases including an unofficial B-sides and outtakes collection leaked to the Internet from an unknown source in August 2013.

None of this has resulted in a reunion of the Mars Volta yet, but the band members have confirmed that it's just a matter of time before one happens; Rodríguez-López has [[http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/omar-rodriguez-lopez-on-epic-solo-album-series-new-at-the-drive-in-lp-20160711?page=5 indicated]] that he intends for one to happen, and it seems to be mainly a matter of scheduling as to when (he wishes for founding members Eva Gardner and Jon Theodore to be involved). Bixler-Zavala also indicated on Website/{{Twitter}} in February 2018 that a reunion [[https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/962120912844681216 will occur]], though he later [[https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/962820868744216576 clarified]] that it wouldn't be immediate. Later, in May 2019, he [[https://consequenceofsound.net/2019/05/the-mars-volta-reunion/ confirmed]] that the band were in the studio.

*** At another live show someone threw beer at Cedric and between songs he said he would fight outside after the show and that he would "kick their fucking ass"
::: (Doubles as a TakeThat)

** The [[https://ih0.redbubble.net/image.175905721.4226/flat,550x550,075,f.u1.jpg album cover]] of ''Frances the Mute'' as well, along with the single covers for [[https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41tJe7ZNGEL.jpg the title track]] and "[[https://images.genius.com/8bbd0189bbb80f576a72d7c64cc6bfa4.850x850x1.jpg The]] [[https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51qCq1Cwm%2BL.jpg Widow]]".

None of this has resulted in a reunion of the Mars Volta yet, but the band members have confirmed that it's just a matter of time before one happens; Rodríguez-López has [[http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/omar-rodriguez-lopez-on-epic-solo-album-series-new-at-the-drive-in-lp-20160711?page=5 indicated]] that he intends for one to happen, and it seems to be mainly a matter of scheduling as to when (he wishes for founding members Eva Gardner and Jon Theodore to be involved). Bixler-Zavala also indicated on Website/{{Twitter}} in February 2018 that a reunion [[https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/962120912844681216 will occur]], though he later [[https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/962820868744216576 clarified]] that it wouldn't be immediate.

* EnnioMorriconePastiche: Most of "Miranda That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore" is one by Omar's own admission. The second movement of "Frances the Mute" ("Nineteen Sank, While Six Could Swim", which features the NightmareFuel lyrical passage that arguably frames the entire album) also arguably qualifies.

* AltumVidetur: The song movement "Facilis descenus averni" translates as "Easy Is the Descent into Hell"; "Vade mecum" means "Go with Me"; "In absentia" is a legal term taken from Latin meaning "in absence" or "while absent".

The Mars Volta was/is a GenreBusting ProgressiveRock band from El Paso, Texas (at some points also based in Mexico) formed in 2001. ''Rolling Stone'' magazine named them the best prog-rock band of 2008. As of Feburary 2018, they have released six studio albums, an EP, a live album, and a handful of other releases including an unofficial B-sides and outtakes collection leaked to the Internet from an unknown source in August 2013. While critically divisive in some quarters (Pitchfork infamously gave a scathing 2.0/10 review to their second album ''Frances the Mute'', by far the lowest rating it received from any major music publication), their work, particularly their first three albums, has attracted particular acclaim from the progressive rock community.

* LargeHam: Cedric Bixler Zavala is one of the hammiest vocalists in progressive rock, a genre ''full'' of large hams - [[TropesAreTools not that]] [[AwesomeMusic anyone's complaining]]. If a song has an epic chorus, it's probably because Cedric is chewing the scenery throughout it.

* MohsScaleOfRockAndMetalHardness: They can vary from anywhere from a 1 (most of "Televators" apart from the ending and the chorus, parts of "Miranda, That Ghost Just Isn't Holy Anymore") to about an 8 (the heaviest parts of songs like "Aberinkula" and "Day of the Baphomets"). Asking "Are the Mars Volta a metal band?" at the right forum might be a good way to start a twenty-page argument; a number of reviewers have categorised them as such, but most metal sites don't actually have them listed in their archives (though a few, such as [[http://www.metalstorm.net/bands/band.php?band_id=3803 Metal Storm]], have pages for them). Overall, they're probably comparable to Music/{{Rush}} in that, at their heaviest, they might as well be metal, but they have enough softer moments that most people probably wouldn't categorise them as metal ''overall''. Prog Archives, for whatever that's worth, has them categorised as "Heavy Prog", which is pretty much the step between normal ProgressiveRock and ProgressiveMetal.

** "Zed and Two Naughts" is named after a film from 1985 directed by Peter Greenaway, whom Cedirc has also mentioned in interviews as being a fan of.

* AwesomeMcCoolname: Try telling anyone the names Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Alfredo Rodríguez-López are dull-sounding.

* ReligionRantSong: Several songs on ''Amputechture'' are apparently examples, although it's sometimes difficult to tell with the WordSaladLyrics. There is a pretty anti-religious theme to the concept of ''Frances the Mute'' as well.

** A shout-out not involved in the ''De-Loused'' story is “Ilyena”, which is named for Dame Creator/HelenMirren’s birth name (she’s Cedric’s favourite actress).

** “Do what thou wilt” is a reference to Creator/AleisterCrowley and the central law of Thelema (“Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law. Love is the law, love under will.”)

* LargeHam: Cedric Bixler Zavala is one of the hammiest vocalists in progressive rock, a genre ''full'' of large hams. If a song has an epic chorus, it's probably because Cedric is chewing the scenery throughout it.

[[caption-width-right:350:Yeah, kinda like that. [[note]]Pictured: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and [[Characters/DoctorWhoDalek a Dalek]].[[/note]]]]

The Mars Volta was a ProgressiveRock band from El Paso, Texas (currently based in Mexico) formed in 2001. ''Rolling Stone'' magazine named them the best prog-rock band of 2008.

Rodríguez-López and Parks went on to form a new project, Bosnian Rainbows. In addition, Rodríguez-López, Bixler-Zavala, and Hinojos' previous band, [[Music/AtTheDriveIn At the Drive-In]], has reunited; they released a new single in 2016 and have a new album projected for 2017. As of January 25, 2013, the Mars Volta has officially split up. As of April 2014, Rodriguez-López and Bixler-Zavala have [[http://www.nme.com/news/the-mars-volta/76609 formed a new project entitled Antemasque]] (also featuring former Mars Volta drummer Dave Elitch and Music/RedHotChiliPeppers bassist Flea - who, for that matter, performed on several of the Mars Volta's albums). This hasn't resulted in a reunion of the Mars Volta yet, but Rodriguez-Lopez has [[http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/omar-rodriguez-lopez-on-epic-solo-album-series-new-at-the-drive-in-lp-20160711?page=5 indicated]] that he intends for one to happen; it seems to be mainly a matter of scheduling as to when (he wishes for founding members Eva Gardner and Jon Theodore to be involved). Bixler-Zavala also indicated on Website/{{Twitter}} in February 2018 that a reunion [[https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/962120912844681216 will occur]], though he later [[https://twitter.com/cedricbixler_/status/962820868744216576 clarified]] that it wouldn't be immediate.

[[caption-width-right:350:Yeah, kinda like that. [[note]]Pictured: Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Cedric Bixler-Zavala, and [[Series/DoctorWho a Dalek]].[[/note]]]]

* NothingIsScarier: Their ambient interludes like the ones on "Cicatriz ESP" and various segments of ''Frances the Mute'' (particularly the title track) can definitely have this effect.

Rodríguez-López and Parks went on to form a new project, Bosnian Rainbows. In addition, Rodríguez-López, Bixler-Zavala, and Hinojos' previous band, [[Music/AtTheDriveIn At the Drive-In]], has reunited; they released a new single in 2016 and have a new album projected for 2017. As of January 25, 2013, the Mars Volta has officially split up. As of April 2014, Rodriguez-López and Bixler-Zavala have [[http://www.nme.com/news/the-mars-volta/76609 formed a new project entitled Antemasque]] (also featuring former Mars Volta drummer Dave Elitch and Music/RedHotChiliPeppers bassist Flea - who, for that matter, performed on several of the Mars Volta's albums). This hasn't resulted in a reunion of the Mars Volta yet, but Rodriguez-Lopez has [[http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/omar-rodriguez-lopez-on-epic-solo-album-series-new-at-the-drive-in-lp-20160711?page=5 indicated]] that he intends for one to happen; it seems to be mainly a matter of scheduling as to when (he wishes for founding members Eva Gardner and Jon Theodore to be involved).

Rodríguez-López and Parks went on to form a new project, Bosnian Rainbows. In addition, Rodríguez-López, Bixler-Zavala, and Hinojos' previous band, [[Music/AtTheDriveIn At the Drive-In]], has reunited; they released a new single in 2016 and have a new album projected for 2017. As of January 25, 2013, the Mars Volta has officially split up. As of April 2014, Rodriguez-López and Bixler-Zavala have [[http://www.nme.com/news/the-mars-volta/76609 formed a new project entitled Antemasque]] (also featuring former Mars Volta drummer Dave Elitch and Music/RedHotChiliPeppers bassist Flea). This hasn't resulted in a reunion of the Mars Volta yet, but Rodriguez-Lopez has [[http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/omar-rodriguez-lopez-on-epic-solo-album-series-new-at-the-drive-in-lp-20160711?page=5 indicated]] that he intends for one to happen; it seems to be mainly a matter of scheduling as to when (he wishes for founding members Eva Gardner and Jon Theodore to be involved).

The Mars Volta was a ProgressiveRock band from El Paso, Texas (curently based in Mexico) formed in 2001. ''Rolling Stone'' magazine named them the best prog-rock band of 2008.

* ShoutOut: There are several in the accompanying booklet to ''De-Loused'', such as: