De-loused In The Comatorium

The Mars Volta: Cedric Bixler (vocals); Omar Rodriguez (guitar); Jon Theodore, Jeremy Michael Ward, Flea, Ikey Isaih Owens.
Additional personnel: John Frusciante (guitar); Justin Meldel Johnson (bass); Lenny Castro (percussion).
Producers: Rick Rubin, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez.
Recorded at the Mansion, Los Angeles, California.
Formed by Cedric Bixler and Omar Rodriguez from the ashes of their previous band At The Drive-In, The Mars Volta takes a dizzying journey to hell and back on this colorfully titled album, traveling inside the mind of a man who attempted suicide but went into a week-long coma before ultimately choosing death. As one might expect the ride is intense and at times disturbing. Galloping bass by Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) provides the rocky foundation for exploratory psychedelic guitar experimentation and keyboard soundscapes that paint an aural picture of madness.
The centerpiece of DE-LOUSED IN THE COMATORIUM is the 12-minute plus "Cicatriz Esp." Its long, ambient middle section lulls you into a nervous calm before breaking out into a Santana-esque jam. Take care, though; trying to interpret the lyrics, or song titles ("Eriatarka") for that matter, in a literal sense will undoubtedly place you in the same deep psychic void as the subject. In an era where cookie-cutter bands pretending to be angry at life are the norm, The Mars Volta is a shining example of originality and talent.