ALBUM REVIEW: The Mars Volta – The Mars Volta


 

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


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


Max Cavalera Hopes For New Killer Be Killed Album For 2016


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In an interview with Metal Hammer, Max Cavalera has reported that he expects another Killer Be Killed album to be released in 2016.

There’s another Killer Be Killed record coming next year, and more Cavalera Conspiracy stuff in the future. At this point I’m just letting it roll. Whatever happens will happen – that’s my attitude. I’m not forcing anything. If it happens, great; if not then it’s still okay.”

A bonafide supergroup, Killer Be Killed performed their first live dates as a band in Australia earlier this year, is comprised of Cavalera, Greg Puciato of The Dillinger Escape Plan, Troy Sanders of Mastodon, and drummer Dave Elitch (Antemasque/ex-The Mars Volta).

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Antemasque Book California Off Dates


Photo Credit: Anneke Peeters

Photo Credit: Anneke Peeters

Antemasque has booked a few off dates in between their Coachella shows with Le Butcherettes and Sister Crayon as support.

Apr 12: Belly Up Tavern – Solana Beach, CA
Apr 14: Ace Of Spades – Sacramento, CA
Apr 15: The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA
Apr 16: The Catalyst Club – Santa Cruz, CA

C A L I F O R N I A T O U R with Le Butcherettes Official and Sister CrayonIn between CoachellaTickets on sale…

Posted by ANTEMASQUE on Monday, April 6, 2015


AC/DC, Jack White and Drake Headlining Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival


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The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival will be happening once again over two weekends: April 10-12 and April 17-19, 2015 in Indio, California. AC/DC, Jack White and Drake will headline the three days respectively.

Amongst the acts listed on the poster on the rock side include Bad Religion, Reverend Horton Heat, Brant Bjork and Low Desert Punk Band, Drive Like Jehu, Antemasque, Bad Suns, Circa Survive, OFF!, and Touche Amore.


Antemasque – Antemasque


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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

Antemasque on Facebook

CHRIS TIPPELL