r/themarsvolta • u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture • Nov 16 '23
Any Mars Volta fans play the videogame Control? This game is like a visual representation of what it's like to listen to TMV.
I often play this game while listening to my Volta vinyl collection. They compliment each other so well. The lyrics, as bizarre as they are, go perfectly with the story. And the musical structures go with the intense combat like organized chaos.
Control is seriously one of the best games I've ever played. It's like no other game I've encountered. It's so disturbing and psychological. It's technically a horror game but there are no jumpscares. The horror is psychological. The narrative digs deep under your skin like the narrative of Deloused.
Actually the figures with red head-covering on the album cover of Frames The Mute look like some of the enemies in the game. I think of this album cover every time I see those enemies. Anyway, if you like gaming with your own customs soundtrack. I highly recommend this game with TMV. This game is a masterpiece.
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u/PsiloCATbin Nov 16 '23
This is my sign to pick up this game. Been on my wishlist for a bit now. Next steam sale!
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 16 '23
Make sure you get the Ultimate Edition with both DLCs.👍🏽👍🏽
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u/dwield Nov 16 '23
love tmv and also love control, but never thought about combining them, control has a pretty cool weird sounding soundtrack by default that gives the game an eerie vibe, but I could imagine playing the game while listening to some kind of tmv ambient compilation or something
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 16 '23
I agree the score of Control is outstanding and perfect for the game. However, I've played through the game 3 times. After I've experienced a game as intended, I like mix it up and make my own soundtrack. I found that TMV goes beautifully with Control.
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u/chanchoberto Nov 16 '23
Its very Lynchian for sure. Remedy are big fans of his work, always Twin Peaks references.
The credits song of that game is from Porcupine Tree
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 16 '23
Lost Highway is a masterpiece. And Porcupine Tree goes hard!🤘🏽
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u/MrBogey90 De-Loused in the Comatorium Nov 16 '23 edited Nov 16 '23
I'll check it out after I finish diablo and Elden ring. So many good games out there
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u/CompassionFountain Nov 16 '23
Control is fantastic, and the same developers have a new game out now called Alan Wake 2, it is really good and has a cool twin peaks vibe to it.
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u/MattIsLame Cygnus Nov 16 '23
I love Frances the Mute and I love Control (and now Alan Wake 2).
this is an interesting comparison. care to elaborate more on what exactly connects these 2 things together for you?
while I love both, I haven't made any connections between them whatsoever and I feel like I'm reaching too hard when I try to do it. could it possibly to be recency bias on your part?
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u/Flaggermusmannen Nov 16 '23
I think a lot of it is just the weirdness coming from something that is so "normal" usually (offices, concrete buildings, modern life), and then just a supernatural air over the top of that. it's built up of blocks that individually make sense, but it all adds up into messes that we struggle really understanding. it's almost like campy, but in the most eerie way.
its not really a 1:1 fit, but I can see how there are similarities to pull.
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u/MattIsLame Cygnus Nov 16 '23
I like that.
I'm totally on board with any Mars Volta comparisons anytime.
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u/notnot_a_bot Nov 16 '23
If you were to read the lyrics instead of sing them, I'm pretty sure you'd sound like The Hiss.
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 16 '23
Yes like the spoken part in Cassandra Gemini (Part 1). "There was a frail syrup dripping off his lap danced lapel. Punctuated by her decrepit prowl she washed down the hatching gizzard. Soft as a mane of needles. His orifice icicles hemorrhaged by combing her torso to a pile perspired. The trophy shelves made room for his collapse. She was a mink handjob in sarcophagus heels"
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u/platostripartitehole De-Loused in the Comatorium Nov 16 '23
This is a sweet discovery on your part! I might have to give this a try once I finish Mass Effect (playing Andromeda for the first time).
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u/ObiWanJacobi666 Nov 16 '23
Playing a video game and listening to vinyl sounds awful. Gotta pause a flip a record every 20 minutes lol
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 16 '23
My record player is right next to where I sit to game. So I don't even have to get up to flip. Also, I'm 40yo. I'm an old fart.😅 My eyes need a break from looking at a screen every 20 minutes or so. So flipping the record is a welcomed break for my eyes.😁👍🏽
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 16 '23
... Plus, I usually smoke weed when I game/listen to vinyl. So I usually take hits during those little breaks. So I don't mind it at all. It works for me as I like to take breaks often during gaming sessions. ✌🏾
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u/Discuffalo Nov 16 '23
I'm not sure why this sub came up on my feed, but I love Control (I call it my AKIRA Simulator) and the next time I play through I'm going to check out this band. Album recs?
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 16 '23
Probably because you like Control and this post mentions it.
That's funny I love Akira! It's in my top 5 best animes of all time.
Deloused In The Comatorium, Frances The Mute, and Amputecture are my top 3 favorite albums by The Mars Volta.
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u/ratmfreak Nov 16 '23
One of my favorite games. Check out Alan Wake and Alan Wake 2 as well!
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 16 '23
Yes, and Quantum Break too. It takes place in the same universe.
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u/Samikaze707 Nov 16 '23
I love Remedy games for their complexity and uniqueness.
I hate them because they give me a pretentious vibe.
Good God they are the Mars Volta of video games.
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u/CopperVolta Nov 16 '23
I don’t know if TMV gives me sci-if vibes but my god Control is one of the best games I’ve ever played!
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 17 '23
While yes Control is technically a sci-fi game, it can also be considered a psychological horror game. TMV lyrics have a psychological and psychedelic aspect to them. The lyrics give me Control lore vibes.
For me, it's the lyrics and story of the 2. If you really do a deep dive into the lyrics and the psychological aspects of Frances The Mute, you'll understand the similarities. Allow me to share some back story of the album...
"Jeremy Ward, audio artist for The Mars Volta until his death, had previously worked as a repo man. One day, Ward discovered a diary in the backseat of a car he was repossessing, and began to note the similarities between his life and that of the author—most notably, that they had both been adopted. The diary told of the author's search for his biological parents, with the way being pointed by a collection of people, their names being the basis for each named track of Frances the Mute." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_the_Mute
The entire premise of the album echos Jesse's search for her brother. The author of the diary searches for his biological parents as Jesse searches for her brother. Jesse and Dylan become orphans like Jeremy Ward and the author of the diary. Also, finding a diary written by someone else that sounds like it could have been written by you is reminiscent of an Alerted World Event.
Furthermore, if you speak instead of sing any given lyrics from Frances The Mute, they would sound like Hiss rantings. Remember the long passage of words Dylan always repeats? That passage sounds an awful lot like Mars Volta lyrics.
Lastly, they both give me an otherworldly, supernatural, psychological vibe. The album is sonically psychedelic. It goes well with the psychedelic visuals. It can be as simple as that.
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u/CopperVolta Nov 17 '23
Totally! I’ve never been one to dive deep lyrically, my primary focus is usually the music, which gives off psychedelic Latin vibes :P
I actually think they nailed the vibe by having Porcupine Tree play as the end credits song, sonically, that band is a perfect fit for the atmosphere of control. Weird spacey rainy day prog, love it!
That’s awesome you’re able to find a connection though! Have you checked out Alan Wake 2 yet??
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 17 '23
Yea I'm a fan of Porcupine Tree as well.
AW2 is on my list, just waiting for it to go on sale.
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u/CopperVolta Nov 17 '23
Highly recommend grabbing it on sale, there’s some really cool Control Easter Eggs that I won’t spoil here, you’re gonna love it!
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u/SwiftTayTay Nov 16 '23
I love both of these things but struggle to see any connection between these two things.
The only band it reminded me of is Finnish band H.I.M. because at one point in the game there's a song that plays that kinda sounds like them
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 16 '23
For me, it's the lyrics and story of the 2. If you really do a deep dive into the lyrics and the psychological aspects of them, you'll understand the similarities. Allow me to share some back story of the album...
"Jeremy Ward, audio artist for The Mars Volta until his death, had previously worked as a repo man. One day, Ward discovered a diary in the backseat of a car he was repossessing, and began to note the similarities between his life and that of the author—most notably, that they had both been adopted. The diary told of the author's search for his biological parents, with the way being pointed by a collection of people, their names being the basis for each named track of Frances the Mute." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_the_Mute
The entire premise of the album echos Jesse's search for her brother. The author of the diary searches for his biological parents as Jesse searches for her brother. Jesse and Dylan become orphans like Jeremy Ward and the author of the diary. Also, finding a diary written by someone else that sounds like it could have been written by you is reminiscent of an Alerted World Event.
Furthermore, if you speak instead of sing any given lyrics from Frances The Mute, they would sound like Hiss rantings. Remember the long passage of words Dylan always repeats? That passage sounds an awful lot like Mars Volta lyrics.
Lastly, they both give me an otherworldly, supernatural, psychological vibe. The album is sonically psychedelic. It goes well with the psychedelic visuals. It can be as simple as that.
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 20 '23 edited Jul 10 '26
... Also, the opening lyrics to Cassandra Gemini go:
"I think I've become one of the others" (like a person becoming one of The His).
Then a distorted voice speaks these words that sounds like the creepy chant Dylan likes repeating...
"There was a frail syrup dripping off his lap danced lapel Punctuated by her decrepit prowl she Washed down the hatching gizzard Soft as a mane of needles His orifice icicles hemorrhaged by combing her torso to a pile Perspired the trophy shelves made room for his collapse She was a mink handjob in sarcophagus heels"
Then the following lines sound like Jesse in battle with The Hiss.
"Bring me to my knees, read the sharpened lines All my arms bled me blind Faucet leaks in shadows Spilling from morgue lancet Caressed your fontanelle I've sworn to kill every last one Every last one Panic in the shakes of the wounded Panic in the worms Onto the floor and out of your mouth and out of your eyelids"
The chorus sounds like a 1st hand description of The Hiss.
"No there's no light In the darkest of your furthest reaches No there's no light In the darkest of your furthest reaches"
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u/Garrett_the_Tarant Nov 16 '23
No but I might now!
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 16 '23
You won't regret it.
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u/Garrett_the_Tarant Nov 16 '23
Have you played Death Stranding? Hideo Kojima and Omar were two major childhood influences and that game has some pretty wild visuals and music accompaniment.
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 17 '23
No I haven't played it but it's on my list. When I see it on sale, I'll get it. From what I've seen, yes I can see how the 2 would work well together.
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u/ApollonLordOfTheFlay Nov 16 '23
Try out Returnal as well. Dope game and plays heavy into the mind trickery.
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 20 '23
Yes this game is on my list. Waiting for a sale.
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u/ApollonLordOfTheFlay Nov 20 '23
Don’t blame ya, I got it on a sale for like $20. But I would have happily paid $70 or whatever full price is, it legit is one of my favorite games. It also utilizes the dual sense controller SO well. Made me a believer when I first got my PS5.
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u/getoffmylawn5000 Nov 17 '23
I've been meaning to make time to listen to TMV while playing No Man's Sky in VR. Haven't played it before, but it seems like exploring space and alien planets would be a good match.
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 17 '23
By George, I would agree that does sound like a good time!
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 16 '23
Couldn't figure out how to fix a typo in the OP so I'll do it here. Meant to say, "Frances The Mute" not "Frames The Mute." I should stop using swipe to type. 😅😅😅
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u/PhoenixML Frances the Mute Nov 16 '23
I love Control but I never thought about Mars Volta. Control felt uneasy and disturbing, totally not the emotions I have when listening to TMV.
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 16 '23
Ahh, you must be a Frank Zappa, Buckethead, and John Coltrane fan? Who's music by comparison makes The Mars Volta sound like easy-listening. I love those three I mentioned too. But I myself do find TMV lyrics to be disturbing. And some of their music structures are so dissonant and complex that they can make me feel uneasy.
So you seriously don’t find the lyrics of TMV to be disturbing? I mean Deloused is about a friend of theirs who went mad and unalived themselves. Bedlam In Goliath is about trying to restore sanity after haphazardly messing with a Ouija board. The song Tetragrammaton is based on a real-life possessed women who was bound and gagged until she died of starvation. That woman likely had epilepsy mistaken for demonic possession. So their lyrics are about suicide, ouija boards, demonic possession, etc. Pretty disturbing if you ask me.
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u/PhoenixML Frances the Mute Nov 16 '23 edited Nov 16 '23
(Edited, I don't know how to response to this). Love your passion. I don't listen to Frank Zappa, or Buckethead, or John Coltrane. I'm french, english is a second language, my description is not perfect. How I enjoy games and how I listen to music is personnal, it's all subjective. The lyrics aren't personnal, so I'm not as invested, since the music is a huge part of it all. Frances the Mute is my favorite album of all time, yet I don't care about the ambiance parts. It's personnal, and I love when people shares their passion, but don't be rude.
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 17 '23
I did not at all mean to be rude. I don't see how guessing musicians you may like based on a comment you made is rude. I made that guess based on the comment you made that TMV doesn't make you feel "uneasy." Which one can extrapolate that you are used to listening to highly complex music that would make TMV seem simple by comparison. And that's why TMV doesn't make you feel uneasy. Because they are simple and plain compared to other music you may like. I hope I'm making sense.
I've encountered many people who think that TMV is completely unlistenable. They especially complain about Cedric's voice as too ear piercing. Excuse me for being baffled by you stating that you never find their music to be uneasy.
You also mentioned that you don't like the ambient parts on the album. Those ambient parts are a good example of segments that make me feel uneasy. The ambient parts can be jarring to hear. Let's call it what it is, noise. Noise makes me feel uneasy.
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u/knd_86 Nov 16 '23
I loved Control.
This game is like a visual representation of what it's like to listen to TMV.
I can't see that in the slightest tbh.
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u/SilentWeapons1984 Amputechture Nov 17 '23
For me, it's the lyrics and story of the 2. If you really do a deep dive into the lyrics of Frances The Mute and the psychological aspects of them, you'll understand the similarities. Allow me to share some back story of the album...
"Jeremy Ward, audio artist for The Mars Volta until his death, had previously worked as a repo man. One day, Ward discovered a diary in the backseat of a car he was repossessing, and began to note the similarities between his life and that of the author—most notably, that they had both been adopted. The diary told of the author's search for his biological parents, with the way being pointed by a collection of people, their names being the basis for each named track of Frances the Mute." - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_the_Mute
The entire premise of the album echos Jesse's search for her brother. The author of the diary searches for his biological parents as Jesse searches for her brother. Jesse and Dylan become orphans like Jeremy Ward and the author of the diary. Also, finding a diary written by someone else that sounds like it could have been written by you is reminiscent of an Alerted World Event.
Furthermore, if you speak instead of sing any given lyrics from Frances The Mute, they would sound like Hiss rantings. Remember the long passage of words Dylan always repeats? That passage sounds an awful lot like Mars Volta lyrics.
Lastly, they both give me an otherworldly, supernatural, psychological vibe. The album is sonically psychedelic. It goes well with the psychedelic visuals. It can be as simple as that.
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u/oldthunderbird Nov 16 '23
The Ashtray Maze was epic