The Mars Volta

Cedric Bixler-Zavala cites immigrant marches, possessed nuns and the pineal gland as influences on Amputechture, but the Mars Volta's latest progressive bid to get to the heart of matters is far stranger -- and more exciting -- than that. "Vermicide" and the staggering "Viscera Eyes" serve up mountaintop moments of crazed clarity, John Frusciante's guitar work is incredible throughout and come the close of "El Ciervo Vulnerado" the madness/genius question rears its head. In short, Californication this ain't -- Amputechture sounds more like the future of serious rock music.