The Mars Volta is an American progressive rock band known for its experimental, high-energy sound, blending rock, jazz, Latin, and psychedelic influences. Formed in 2001 by vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala and guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López, former members of the post-hardcore band At the Drive-In, the group quickly gained a reputation for their intense live performances and complex musical arrangements.
Their 2003 debut album, De-Loused in the Comatorium, produced by Rick Rubin, became a critical success, and the band continued to push musical boundaries with albums like Frances the Mute (2005) and Amputechture (2006). The Mars Volta's sound is characterized by unconventional song structures, cryptic lyrics, and virtuosic musicianship, often drawing comparisons to bands like King Crimson and Pink Floyd. Although they disbanded in 2012, they reunited in 2019, continuing to evolve their sound and maintain their cult status among fans of experimental and progressive rock.
