Jueves 2 Feb 2006, 21:40
CONCERT REVIEW
The Mars Volta, The Palace, 2/2/2006
There is no doubt I will bear a stunned expression for quite some time. Last night, my comrades Sim and Pickles and myself were gifted with seeing a band that blew us away. Make no mistake…this band was un-fucking-belivable. People may think I am exaggerating, or just needlessly throwing superlatives – fuck those people. For this band, The Mars Volta, take you into their eccentric music world…and you do not want to leave.
Instead of going through each song in detail, I will briefly describe what happened. After a rather long wait inside (nearly two hours) the lights dim, and Cedric Bixlar-Lavala struts on stage with more bravado than any performer I have seen, Omar Rodriquez-Lopez throws his guitar behind his back and plays the first solo of Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus so fast that my brain nearly melts. The pounding rums, the thumping bass, the soaring vocals, if musical perfection is ever brought up, this concert could surely be used in context.
It was utterly flawless, every song was perfect and replicated from their CD counterparts without error. The Mars Volta play with such a cocky swagger that you cannot help but grin at how good they are.
Sweat was pouring down me, my limbs ached so much it felt like I had the shit just kicked out of me, and during Frances the Mute, I nearly fainted due to exhaustion, but I did not care. I just was entranced by the quality of this band.
By the time it was all over, I’m so full of adrenalin that my legs feel rubbery. I started the day honestly expecting a good show and what I got was a concert performed by musical gods. When everyone was exiting, I finally limped back to where we parked, and took a much needed swig of water, my hands still shaking from the adrenalin.
My mates caught finally caught up with me outside, and asked what I thought of the concert. By that stage, I had run out of words to use and could only think to say: “Holy Shit!” They both smiled and nodded, silently agreeing with me. For one brief moment, we all understood what was going on in each other’s heads – we wanted to be back inside that concert.
Setlist:
Cygnus...Vismund Cygnus
L'Via L'Viaquez
Drunkship of Lanterns
20 Minute Improvised Jam (Which utterly ruled by the way.)
Eriatarka
Frances the Mute
Roulette Dares
Cassandra Gemini
Highlights:
Every friggin’ song, but the opening to Cassandra Gemini just topped it. I went so insane that I received stares from surrounding audience members. An utterly perfect live act, from start to finish. They attempt to suspend reality and draw you into their theatre of the macabre. See them. Now.
Adam Robertson