Known for their energetic live shows and concept albums, The Mars Volta formed following the break-up of Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala's previous band, At the Drive-In. Seeking to experiment and expand their sound, Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala recruited Gardner, Isaiah "Ikey" Owens (keyboards), Jon Theodore (drums) and Jeremy Ward (sound manipulation) to form The Mars Volta. The band released their debut EP, Tremulant, in 2002, with Gardner leaving the band prior to recording their debut album, De-Loused in the Comatorium. She was replaced by Red Hot Chili Peppers bass guitarist Flea for the sessions. The Rick Rubin-produced album received widespread critical acclaim upon its release in 2003.
The band's second studio album, Frances the Mute (2005), was self-produced by Rodríguez-López and was the first to feature longterm members Juan Alderete (bass) and Marcel Rodríguez-López. The album debuted at #4 on the US Billboard 200 and became the band's biggest commercial success, selling over 500,000 copies in the US and achieving Gold certification from the RIAA. The band's third studio album, Amputechture, was released in 2006 and was the last album to feature Theodore. In 2008, the band released The Bedlam in Goliath, a concept album inspired by the band's turbulent experiences with a ouija-type talking board. The album's first single, "Wax Simulacra" was awarded a Grammy Award in 2009 for Best Hard Rock Performance. The band released its fifth album, Octahedron, in June 2009.
Following the release of their sixth album, Noctourniquet (2012), and a run of reunion shows with At the Drive-In, The Mars Volta entered a hiatus in September 2012. Rodríguez-López subsequently formed a new project, Bosnian Rainbows, and the band formally broke up after disagreements between Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala. The duo repaired their friendship and reunited in 2014 for a new project, Antemasque, and further At the Drive-In tours and recording sessions.
Reuniting in secret in 2019, Rodríguez-López and Bixler-Zavala recorded a new studio album, The Mars Volta, with Gardner, Marcel Rodríguez-López and drummer Willy Rodriguez Quiñones. The band announced their reunion – after ten years of public inactivity – with an art installation called L'ytome Hodorxí Telesterion, in June 2022. For the band's live return, jazz pianist Leo Genovese and drummer Linda-Philomène Tsoungui were added to the line-up.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mars_Volta
Studio albums
De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003)
Frances the Mute (2005)
Amputechture (2006)
The Bedlam in Goliath (2008)
Octahedron (2009)
Noctourniquet (2012)
The Mars Volta (2022)
Que Dios Te Maldiga Mi Corazon (2023)
Cicatriz
The Mars Volta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As it suggested beck and call
This face and heel
Will drag your halo through the mud
Ash of Pompeii
Erupting in a statues dust
Shrouded in veils
Because these handcuffs hurt to much
And when they drag the lake there is nothing left at all
Sutured contusion
Beyond the anthills of the dawning of this plague
Said I've lost my way
Even if this cul de sac would pay
To reach inside a vault whatever be the cost
Sterling clear
Blackened ice
When they drag the lake there's nothing left at all
I've defected
Sutured contusion
Beyond the anthills of the dawning of this plague
Said I've lost my way
Even if this cul de sac did pay
To reach inside a vault whatever be the cost
Sterling clear
Blackened ice
When they drag the lake there's nothing left at all
I've defected
Beyond the anthills of the dawning of this plague
Said I've lost my way
Even if this cul de sac did pay
Beyond the anthills of said I've lost my way
Even if you reach inside a vault whatever be the cost
Sterling clear
Blackened ice
When they drag the lake there's nothing left at all
This is my last incision
The stitches have defected
Drag me a vessel
Coveting all you know see and hear
This is my last incision
The stitches have fallen off
Sterling clear blackened ice
And when they drag they lake there's nothing left at all
I've defected
"Cicatriz" is a song by The Mars Volta that is hard to decipher. The lyrics are abstract and metaphorical, making it difficult to pin down exactly what the song is about. Many fans have come up with various interpretations over the years, but one thing is clear: the song is filled with darkness and pain.
The song starts with a question: "Do you recall its name?" This seems to suggest that something terrible has happened in the past, and the singer is asking if the listener remembers it. The next line, "As it suggested beck and call," implies that whatever happened was intentional and perhaps even planned.
The rest of the song is a series of disjointed phrases that paint a picture of a suffering soul. Words like "scalping," "contusion," and "ashes" evoke feelings of pain and destruction. There is a sense that the singer has lost his way and is drifting aimlessly. The line "When they drag the lake there is nothing left at all" suggests that whatever the singer has been searching for, it is gone forever.
Additionally, the chorus "I've defected" may suggest that the singer has chosen to leave something behind, perhaps a group or organization. The repeated phrase "Beyond the anthills of the dawning of this plague" is also cryptic but may relate to wanting to escape from something that is spreading like an epidemic.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you recall it's name
Do you remember the name of the thing that beckoned and called to you?
As it suggested beck and call
As it beckoned and called to you, like a master to its servant.
This face and heel
These two sides of me, the good and the bad, the light and the dark.
Will drag your halo through the mud
Will bring down your reputation, your goodness, your morality.
Ash of Pompeii
The remains of a great disaster, a symbol of destruction and chaos.
Erupting in a statues dust
Causing everything to crumble and turn to dust, like a volcano creating more destruction.
Shrouded in veils
Hiding and covering up the truth, the reality, the pain.
Because these handcuffs hurt to much
The restraints and limitations are causing too much pain, too much suffering.
Scalping these ticket-less applause
Taking the recognition and fame without earning it, without deserving it.
And when they drag the lake there is nothing left at all
When everything is revealed, when the truth is exposed, there is nothing left to hide.
Sutured contusion
A wound that has been sewn up, but not completely healed.
Beyond the anthills of the dawning of this plague
Far away from the beginnings of this epidemic, this disease.
Said I've lost my way
Admitting that I'm lost, that I don't know where to go or what to do.
Even if this cul de sac would pay
Even if this dead end situation would lead to some sort of reward or gain.
To reach inside a vault whatever be the cost
To find what's hidden deep inside, no matter the obstacles and risks.
Sterling clear
Pure and bright, shining like silver.
Blackened ice
Frozen and dark, like a heart that's turned cold.
I've defected
I've gone against what's expected or desired, I've turned my back on something.
This is my last incision
This is the final cut, the last time I allow myself to be wounded.
The stitches have defected
The repairs have failed, the wounds have reopened.
Drag me a vessel
Take me away, transport me to a new place or state of being.
Coveting all you know see and hear
Desiring and longing for all the knowledge, experiences, and perspectives that others possess.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CEDRIC BIXLER, OMAR RODRIGUEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind