The Mars Volta
De-Loused In The Comatorium

THE REVIEW

“De-Loused In The Comatorium” is the first work (after "Tremulant" EP) of The Mars Volta, a group born from the ashes of At The Drive-In.

It is an album that tries to blend Hardcore ferocity with Progressive majesty; punk violence systematically melds with impactful melodies. Prog influences are very frequent, but they don't yet seem to be the group's point of reference. Certainly, the length of the tracks, the varying musical themes within a single song, and the instrumental parts suggest its inspiration. Exemplary is the opening “Son Et Lumiere” -“Inertiatic ESP”, where a beginning with subtle and highly evocative shades gives way to the actual song, perhaps even too pompous, yet impeccable and tremendously catchy. It must be said that the prog-hardcore ambitions blend perfectly with the accessibility of the melodies, aided by Cedric Bixler's splendid voice.

Thus, extremely complete songs are born like “Roulette Dares”, very dynamic and unrestrained, but also rich with delicate interludes; “Eriatarka”, beautifully soft in its introduction and capable of exploding suddenly, while always maintaining extraordinary catchiness. The track is shaken by accentuated percussions, sonic disturbances, and electric echoes. But there are also bittersweet ballads like “Tira Me a Las Ananas”, a splendid introduction to the stunning Latin ride “Drunkship Of Lanterns”, disturbed by a storm of sounds and particularly harsh and booming guitar. Often, the atmosphere becomes tense, at times apocalyptic in intensity and pathos; the group never relents and continues at excellent levels. The long “Cicatriz ESP” is perhaps the most progressive episode; its constant drive merges with a powerful refrain; the instrumental evolutions of the central part are also interesting, with thin and sharp sounds intersecting with the incandescent sound of the guitar supported by an emotional beat. In the second half, it brushes against the psychedelic and then starts again with the wildest rhythm that ends in a sea of distortions and resumes the central melodic theme.

While “This Apparatus Must Be Unearthed” doesn't stand out for any particular innovation, the musicality and organicity distinguishing this song remain exceptional. “Televators” is nothing more than a simple electric ballad, enhanced by the vibrant guitar and the desolate atmosphere. “Take the Veil Cerpin Taxt” closes the album with its multifaceted rhythms, its booming incursions, and electronic phrasing. In the finale, the guitar leads us towards the exit of this intricate sound labyrinth. There are many sensations; certainly, The Mars Volta's project is ambitious and also quite unique.

While remaining a beautiful and very fascinating album, “De-Loused” perhaps also shows some shortcomings in terms of compactness; the various influences of the group, excellently expressed nonetheless, may still be too separate and not fully converging into a new musical direction. Rather, there tends to be segmental and very fluctuating songs; the result remains excellent, but the melodic glue may not always work in the future.