Review: Antemasque – Hangin in the Lurch / 4AM

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The news about a new Cedric Brixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez Lopez venture cracked the Internet shorelines from absolutely every direction, that it seems people are still unaware the former The Mars Volta duo is making music together again. Joined them are ex-TMV drummer Dave Elitch and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea.

If you haven’t previously heard these two tracks the band premiered in last two days (what’s unlikely), then looking these names on screen creates a bit unexpected, but interesting combination in terms of creative input each one of them brings. It’s somewhat easy to conceive what the collaboration between Zavala and Lopez could generate this time, considering their previous relationship in The Mars Volta and At the Drive-In. But, due to the 2013′s announcement that The Mars Volta is no longer active, it is the factor of surprise that would not let any kind of conjuring take the place.

So, what does Antemasque sound like and where does it stand? It’s 200% guaranteed that everything the quartet does will be compared with what The Mars Volta created in their 12 years long career, and with everything else each of the members are or have been the part of.

4AM relies largely on alternative rock with punkish attitude, it’s quite direct in approach, fast-paced piece with roaring riffs and Zavala‘s identifiable voice. Hangin in the Lurch on the other side is more varied structurally, retaining the speed but is more rhythmical compared to 4AM. It’s interesting the band lists Led Zeppelin in the tags on Bandcamp for this song, and overall there is a similarity with the mentioned hard rock pioneers in terms of that raw, in-your-face rocking style.

And while The Mars Volta were focused mostly on the experimental side of rock, Antemasque with its minimalistic variety showcase a small, but solid piece of work. It’s now up to them to add more songs and release a proper full-length, so we all will have a lot more to explore. Bring it on!

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