Noctourniquet cover

Noctourniquet

The Mars Volta · 2012

64 min · 13 tracks · progressive rock

A swirling blend of intricate rhythms and haunting melodies, underpinned by intense emotional landscapes and experimental soundscapes.

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    The Whip Hand Start here — This opening track establishes the album's thematic intensity with its driving rhythm and urgent vocals, setting a tone of existential dread that permeates the record.
  • →
    Dyslexicon — Here, complex time signatures and intricate guitar work illustrate an evolution in the band's sound, combining elements of punk energy with progressive structures.
  • →
    Empty Vessels Make the Loudest Sound — This track showcases lyrical depth and emotional vulnerability, contrasting harsh instrumentals with poignant reflections on emptiness and existence.
  • →
    In Absentia — As one of the longest tracks on the album, it exemplifies The Mars Volta's penchant for expansive compositions, weaving together diverse musical motifs to create a narrative exploration of loss.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The intricate compositions and unique sound make it a notable entry in progressive rock, though it may not have widespread recognition.

What we noticed

  • Several songs utilize layered instrumentation, creating dense soundscapes that evolve throughout their duration.
  • The vocal delivery often shifts from melodic singing to spoken word, adding to the dynamic range of the album.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • wave-like pacing with resolution
  • haunting melodies for introspection
  • dynamic progression through moods
  • immersive experience for late nights
  • dreamlike soundscapes for focus

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer straightforward song structures
  • seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Experimental — Features a deliberate departure from previous sounds, showcasing innovative fusion of styles.
Themes
emotional emptiness· narrative loss
Career context
Released on March 26, 2012, 'Noctourniquet' is The Mars Volta's sixth studio album, following their critically acclaimed 'Octahedron'. At this point in their career, the band was navigating a shift in sound and lineup dynamics, as founding member Jon Theodore had departed, leading to new creative directions driven by Omar Rodríguez-López and Cedric Bixler-Zavala.
New to The Mars Volta? Find your way in →

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • In Absentia

    The lyrics shift from abstract imagery to a direct confrontation with absence and longing.

    This pivot reveals a stark emotional core amidst the complexity, anchoring the song’s sprawling arrangement in a deeply personal context.

Tracklist

  • 1 The Whip Hand Start here 4:49
  • 2 Aegis 5:11
  • 3 Dyslexicon 4:22
  • 4 Empty Vessels Make the Loudest Sound 6:43
  • 5 The Malkin Jewel 4:44
  • 6 Lapochka 4:16
  • 7 In Absentia 7:26
  • 8 Imago 3:58
  • 9 Molochwalker 3:33
  • 10 Trinkets Pale of Moon 4:25
  • 11 Vedamalady 3:54
  • 12 Noctourniquet 5:39
  • 13 Zed and Two Naughts 5:36

What to play next

The Mars Volta
Listen next

The Mars Volta

2022

This album continues the experimental sound and emotional depth found in Noctourniquet.
Octahedron
Go back to

Octahedron

2009

Octahedron's melodic elements set a fitting stage for the intricate sound of Noctourniquet.
Full The Mars Volta discography Where to start with The Mars Volta Artists like The Mars Volta
progressive rock

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Kid A

Kid A

Radiohead

Shares a similar experimental soundscape and emotional introspection with intricate rhythmic structures.

In Absentia

In Absentia

Porcupine Tree

Explores themes of loss and disconnection, combining haunting melodies with progressive rock elements.

Act II: The Meaning of, and All Things Regarding Ms. Leading

Act II: The Meaning of, and All Things Regarding Ms. Leading

The Dear Hunter

Features complex narratives and emotional depth, with a blend of orchestral and progressive rock influences.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata