The Mars Volta - Carling Academy, Glasgow 11/03/08

TMV return to Glasgow exactly 3 years to the day since they last played in the city.  Having chosen not to tour Amputechture on these shores, they bring with them over 140 minutes worth of new material to unleash on the Scots.  They certainly didn’t waste any time as there was no support act ‘The Volta’ came on to the stage at 8.10pm, diving headfirst into a 15 minute rendition of ‘Roulette dares’.  The tracks were spread nicely from the four albums, apart from only playing ‘Cygnus’ off Frances the mute, although it was a 30 minute version!  It still remains my favourite album, although the new album ‘Bedlam of Goliath’ is not too far behind.  Second up was ‘Viscera eyes’ off Ampetechture which has a great riff in which played live sent shivers down my spine.

The gig lasted for 3 hours meaning at points it felt more like an endurance event both mentally and physically.  Sometimes the jams such as during ‘Drunkship’ and ‘Cygnus’ would go on for so long I would actually forget which song they started with in the first place.  There weren’t even many moments in between songs where there was silence.  While most bands in between songs play the odd chord here and there and talk to the crowd.  TMV take the opportunity to do some mini songs, often just Omar and Cedric bouncing off each other.  At times these bits were genius, but there were other times Omar’s loops became too repetitive and would nearly set me to sleep, until the next song would explode out of nowhere.  I think these bits acted like more of recovery sections for the band. Especially the drummer who has got to be seen live to be believed; he is just the most energetic drummer I have witnessed live.  Even if I did ever become that good at the drums; to do what he did in that gig, it would take me about a week to recover!  Never mind going on stage the next night and doing it all again.  Truly mind-blowing.  In hindsight I can see why they needed the breaks and even if at points it did become slightly monotonous; it is better than silence!

The songs off Bedlam were a total joy to hear live.  After being slightly sceptical of this album when I first heard it; it has grown on me with every listen.  Performed live it is sensational; in particular, ‘Wax Simulacra’, ‘Agadez’ and the Rock monster of all monsters ‘Goliath’.  These are all ferocious all out rock, space prog songs where Cedric hits notes with ease that some women wish they could reach. I couldn’t quite believe they played ‘Aberinkula’ without playing ‘Metatron’ which follows it on the album.  On the album it actually feels like the same song. I was just waiting in great anticipation to sing ‘Maybe I’ll break down…..’.  But it just stopped suddenly after ‘Aberinkula’.  Oh well, you can’t have it all!

They really were awesome and the new material in my opinion has transformed them into one of the best live bands around. I just wish I had the time to see these guys more live because it takes long enough to get into the studio albums never mind the live shows.  This is not a criticism, it is a complement.  I would rather be challenged in listening than going to a gig and hearing the same thing every time.  They are genius and really hope they bring out a DVD of one of the Bedlam gigs so I can watch it again and again.