The Mars Volta

The Mars Volta is an American progressive rock band formed in 2001 by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez (composer/guitarist) and Cedric Bixler-Zavala (lyricist/vocalist) (former members of At the Drive-In). The line-up of the group has changed over time, but the enduring partnership between the founding members forms the basis of the creative drive.

They first released the Tremulant EP and then came De-Loused in the Comatorium, a unified album telling the tale of Cerpin Taxt, an anti-hero battling with his mind while in a coma. The album sold well in spite of little promotion and the critics loved it.

The second album was Frances the Mute (2005) which debuted at No.4 on the US Billboard charts due in part to the success of the single "The Widow".

Amputechture (2006) featured John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The Chilis are a band with whom the Mars Volta have had an ongoing relationship, Flea played bass on nine of the ten songs on De-Loused… and they toured with the Chilis in support of that album and Amputechture.

Fourth album The Bedlam in Goliath was released in early 2008.