De-loused In The Comatorium
And so to the second astounding tale of the day...
This is another band that I had been aware of for a while but had not really checked out, despite having heard rave reviews of this their first album. Then I heard the song "Eriatarka". The power of the song left me thirsting for more and so the only option was to pick up the album from whence such majesty came. As with the Pain Of Salvation album "Remedy Lane" reviewed in my previous post, I was not disappointed.
The Mars Volta make for much harder and at times uneasier listening than many other bands that are branded with the progressive label. Indeed, I place a question mark alongside this categorisation. The fusing of several styles, the complexity of their music and experimental use of sound (at times noise) makes me wonder if they don't deserve a category all of their own! Especially as the punk roots of At The Drive-in are evident in places throughout this epic.
Anyway, "Son Et Lumiere" opens the album and sets the scene but does not fully prepare you for what lies ahead. "Inertiatic ESP" follows and dumps you straight into the uneasy listening bin. By this point, you're starting to wonder what is going on and the totally amazing "Roulette Dare (The Haunt Of)" leaves you thinking that you'll never be the same again. "Tira Me a las Arañas" offers a brief, calming interlude before the rollercoaster gathers momentum through "Drunkship Of Lanterns" before propelling you headlong into the ecstasy of "Eriatarka" and "Cicatriz ESP" both of which are mind-blowing. The waves of noise, distorted guitar, clean guitar, pounding bass, tripping drums, emotion wrenching vocals will sweep you away. Then "This Aparatus Must Be Unearthed" lifts you even higher to the point where you really need the more laid back vibe of "Televators" to cool the blood. Finally, the upbeat "Take The Veil Cerpin Taxt" - yes, really - leaves you satisfied but wondering how on Earth The Mars Volta could possibly produce something so good. Let alone have any hope of following it with even a fraction of the same creative power.
However, reports suggest that this is exactly what they have done with the successor to "De-loused...", "Frances The Mute". I for one will not hesitate when a suitably priced copy of this album finds its way into my grubby little paws!