To say Omar RodrÃguez-López is an overachiever would quite possibly be the biggest understatement in history. Having released two solo discs already this year, with another on the way (Cryptomnesia on May 5th), The Mars Volta frontman has been one busy man, and that’s even without mentioning that his main outfit is also gearing up for the release of its own new album. But, alas, that’s exactly why I’m writing.
Yes, The Mars Volta will be soon be releasing a new studio, and yes, it will be here before you know. Entitled Octahedron, the followup to last year’s The Bedlam in Goliath is currently scheduled to hit music shelves on June 19th via Warner Bros. Records. Once again, RodrÃguez-López will be at the production helm, as he has been with every album since De-Loused in the Comatorium – if you’re counting, this marks four straight Volta albums he has had produced.
Musically, the new record is supposed to be “much more accessible than the previous four,” according to the bands label, which is a fairly ambiguous statement from a company that wants to sell as many records as possible, but whatever. Rumors have the album at eight songs resulting from the talents in a quintet structure. The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ John Frusciante is also said to be involved.
Rounding out the details, Octahedron will feature artwork of Jeff Jordan, who also designed the covers for Amputechture and The Bedlam in Goliath. The Mars Volta is expected to tour in support of the album, however, as of now, only European dates and one U.S. date, Bonnaroo, have been announced.
The Mars Volta 2009 Tour Dates:
06/13 – Manchester, TN @ Bonnaroo Music Festival
06/20 – Scheessel, DE @ Hurricane Festival
06/21 – Tuttlingen, DE @ Southside Festival
06/23 – Zurich, CH @ Volkshaus
06/26 – Milan, IT @ Idroscalo Festival
06/28 – Paris, FR @ Olympia
06/29 – Dusseldorf, De @ Stahlwerk
07/02 – Arvika, SE @ Arvika Festival
07/03 – Roskilde, DK @ Roskilde Festival
07/05 – Werchter, BE @ Rock Werchter
07/06 – Luxembourg @ Den Atelier
07/08 – Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
07/10 – Kinross, IE @ T in the Park
07/11 – Dublin, IE @ Oxegen