The American group The Mars Volta had reached a limit with the previous album The Bedlam in Goliath (2008). Devils were musically exorcised on this savage and cacophonic record. The live performance of this made (at North Sea Jazz 2008, among others) many visitors flee the hall with their ears hanging on after days - perhaps they too had reached a (tolerance) limit. But the devils seem sworn,
… successor Octahedron opens with a moody rock ballad in the tradition of Led Zeppelin. It sets the tone for this cathartic album on which vocalist Cedric Bixler Zavala in particular is allowed to sing again instead of having to keep going screaming. He does this gratefully, with depth and high notes that make him one of the most authentic and recognizable singers in rock today. Composer, producer and guitarist Omar Rodriguez Lopez (who, together with Bixler Zavala, forms the core of The Mars Volta) often lays the foundation with an acoustic guitar for the unwieldy rock songs that dominate the album. It provides once again a very enjoyable album by this original and productive band that still knows how to interpret 'prog' as 'progression'. (MR)more
