The Mars Volta appears to be breaking away from traditional album release strategies. After much speculation, the band has officially confirmed the upcoming release of their new album, marking an exciting moment for long-time fans and new listeners alike.

Lead vocalist Cedric Bixler-Zavala took to his Instagram Stories this week to unveil the new album, sharing a pre-order link for a record titled Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos del Vacío. While there has been no other formal announcement from the band, such as a comprehensive social media update or an official press release, fans can currently pre-order the album through major online retailers, including Amazon. These platforms indicate an official release date set for April 11, allowing fans to mark their calendars for this highly anticipated event.

Described as a significant milestone in their storied career, The Mars Volta’s ninth studio album highlights the band’s continuous evolution over more than two decades. The album Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos del Vacio aims to celebrate their artistic roots while inviting fans to reconnect with the essence of their music. It promises a rich auditory experience, encouraging listeners to embark on a profound musical journey that reflects their innovative spirit and deep-seated influences.

The rollout strategy for the album has been rather unconventional, likely a response to the leaks that occurred in late January. Although The Mars Volta has not openly addressed the leak, they embarked on a U.S. tour supporting Deftones starting February 25, during which they have been performing tracks from Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos del Vacío almost in its entirety. This approach seems to create anticipation and excitement among fans as they experience the new material live.

On March 2, a user on the The Mars Volta subreddit shared a speculative story claiming to have delivered food to Bixler-Zavala while the band was in Oregon. The user alleged they received the singer’s personal copy of the album, providing a few photos as purported evidence, which only fueled further speculation among fans about the album’s official release date and its content. This kind of interaction highlights the fervent fanbase and their eagerness for updates.

Founded by Bixler-Zavala and guitarist Omar Rodríguez-López after the disbandment of their previous project, At the Drive-In, The Mars Volta has carved a unique niche in the music world. Their debut album, De-Loused in the Comatorium, launched in 2003, showcased their innovative sound, while 2005’s Frances the Mute boosted them to No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Over their initial run, they released six albums, with 2012’s Noctourniquet preceding a hiatus that lasted until their reunion.

After a period of solo projects, including performances in Antemasque and a reunion of At the Drive-In, The Mars Volta re-emerged in 2019. They returned to the music scene in 2022 with a self-titled album and followed it up with an acoustic re-recording titled Que Dios Te Maldiga Mi Corazón in 2023. This resurgence has reignited interest in their music and has captivated both old and new fans.