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)
Haruspex
The Mars Volta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beyond the anthills
Of the dawning
Of this plague
Do you?
Do you?
Oh, yeah
River, down, down now
Built-up, fell down
River run now
The opening lines of The Mars Volta's song Haruspex evoke a sense of imagery through the mention of anthills and the connotative meaning associated with them. The anthills seem to symbolize the beginning or genesis of something ominous as the reference to a plague implies. The singer then proceeds to ask if their name is remembered, which suggests a prior relationship or association with the subject of the song. The following lines seem to describe a river that has fallen, which contrasts with its prior state of being built-up. This could be a metaphorical representation of a downfall or an irreversible change. The repetition of the phrase 'Do you?' creates a feeling of uncertainty or doubt, which adds to the enigmatic nature of the song. Overall, the lyrics of Haruspex portray a sense of mystery and intrigue, and leave much to the imagination of the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you recall my name?
Do you remember who I am?
Beyond the anthills
Further than the small and trivial things
Of the dawning
Of the beginning of something
Of this plague
Of this harmful and contagious disease
Do you?
Do you?
Do you really remember me?
Oh, yeah
Expressing confirmation or agreement
River, down, down now
The river is flowing down, fast
Built-up, fell down
Something was constructed, then destroyed
River run now
The river is running at this moment
Writer(s): Omar Rodriguez, Cedric Bixler Copyright: Hija De Lola, Emi April Music Inc., Amputekhture
Contributed by Gabriella L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rock Music Videos
This is music worth recording live!
InsaneagoniZer
best live song eveeeeer
VoltaEsp
DO YOU RECALL!!
Jordan Wayward
@Mike Loser homies just wondering if you recall 🤷♂️
Yes I'm Takeoff Can't Stop Me Now
@Mike Loser DO YOU RECALL
Mike Loser
i hear this line " do you recall" on many mars volta songs. does it mean something?