While its not The Mars Volta reunion fans may have been hoping for, former members Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala have today announced an exciting new project, which sees the prolific musicians team up with Chili Peppers bassist Flea for a supergroup dubbed Antemasque.
Omar Rodriguez-Lopez broke the news via his Twitter account, posting a thirteen second trailer, featuring himself and his former Mars Volta bandmate, with edited sound from a recording session. That was accompanied by a longer rehearsal video posted on ESPN’s X-Games‘ site, which also features long-time Mars Volta collaborator Flea and drummer Dave Elitch.
The band have also set up an official Facebook page. The Mars Volta officially split in 2013 when Bixler announced on Twitter that he was no longer a member of the band he and Rodriguez-Lopez started in 2001 after the break up of At the Drive-In.
“I tried my hardest to keep it going…I can’t sit here and pretend any more. I no longer am a member of Mars Volta,” Bixler tweeted on January 30th, 2013. “I honestly thank all of you for buying our records and coming to our shows. You guys were a blast to play in front of.”
The two seemed to be on rocky terms for a while, but hints at a possible mending of wounds
came in early March when Bixler’s wife, Chrissie Bixler, posted a picture on Instagram of her husband and Rodriguez-Lopez holding Bixler’s twin boys at a California beach. The caption reads, “And these four guys!”
Stay tuned here for anymore news about Antemasque releases, albums and tours.
UPDATE 10:58am AEST: Antemasque have dropped their first track, and it’s great in unexpected ways…
Watch: Antemasque trailer
http://youtu.be/AEcQjnQ1Gvg
Watch: Antemasque in the studio
