Album Review: Antemasque - Antemasque

Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez are probably never going to escape their history, much as they might like to. Thankfully Antemasque is almost the album everyone was hoping they’d make before the ever-increasing weirdness of The Mars Volta left them in obscurity. Antemasque is a classic rock record, first and foremost, but it’s the way the Texas duo colour it that makes the difference. There are post-punk and garage influences everywhere, for one, but it’s the band’s signature intense energy (Flea and The MV’s Dave Elitch also feature) coupled with a classy, reflective maturity that really drives everything.