The Bedlam in Goliath
by The Mars Volta
The Bedlam in Goliath (LP)
Label(s): Clouds Hill, Gold Standard Laboratories, Universal Records
Released: 01/29/2008 (CD, LP, and USB stick)
Released: 10/01/2021 (Clouds Hill vinyl repress)
Recorded: 2006-2007
Length: 75:52
Location: Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, California and Rodriguez-Lopez's home studio in Brooklyn, New York
Album Lineup
- Guitars, synthesizers
Omar Rodríguez-López - Vocals
Cedric Bixler-Zavala - Bass
Juan Alderete - Drums
Thomas Pridgen - Percussion, keyboards
Marcel Rodríguez-López - Keyboards
Isiah (Ikey) Owens - Flute, tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, percussion
Adrián Terrazas-González - Sound manipulation
Paul Hinojos - Guitar
John Frusciante - "Because" on Agadez
Henry Trejo - String composition and arrangement on Soothsayer
Nathaniel Tookey - Cello on Soothsayer
Sam Bass - Violin on Soothsayer
Edwin Huizinga - Viola on Soothsayer
Charith Premawardhana - Violin on Soothsayer
Anthony Blea - Double bass on Soothsayer
Owen Levine
- CDr
- Released: 2007
- Country: US
- Identifiers:
- Notes: Advance watermarked promotional CDr. Slim jewel case. Times assumed to be accurate when compared to commercial release.
- CD
- Released: 2007
- Country: Australia
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 0 602517 725058
- Notes: The Australian release includes a DVD with five videos and five audio tracks: covers on [a=Soft Machine], [a=Sugarcubes], [a=Nick Drake], [a80501], and [a=Circle Jerks].
- CD
- Released: 2007
- Country: New Zealand
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 602517584433
- Matrix / Runout: Universal (logo) STEBBING IFPI P801 1758443 7246A
- Notes:
- CD
- Released: 2007
- Country: Australia
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 0 602517 727058
- Matrix / Runout: 1758443 UNIVERSAL 01
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI L681
- Notes: Bonus track 13 "Candy & A Currant Bun", a Pink Floyd cover. Made in Australia
- CD
- Released: 2007
- Country: Indonesia
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 6 02517 57530 1
- Barcode: 602517575301
- Notes: Manufactured and Printed in Indonesia
- CD
- Released: 29 Jan 2008
- Country: US
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 6 02517 57530 1
- Matrix / Runout: [EDC, USA logo] B00 106 1602 01!! E
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI L005
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 0392
- Matrix / Runout: MADE IN USA
- Matrix / Runout: [EDC, USA logo] B00 106 1602 01!! L
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI L005
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 0316
- Matrix / Runout: MADE IN USA BY EDC
- Matrix / Runout: [EDC, USA logo] B00 106 1602 01!! J
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI L005
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 0367
- Matrix / Runout: MADE IN USA BY EDC
- Notes: (P)(C) 2008 The Mars Volta. Licensed exclusively to Universal Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. 1755 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. Distributed by Universal Music Distribution.
- Vinyl
- Released: 10 Jun 2008
- Country: US
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 602517632646
- Matrix / Runout: RE-02 / B0010616-01 - A / LIKE A DONKEY CHOKING A WAFFLE
- Matrix / Runout: RE-02 / B0010616-01 - B / MEXICAN ACCIDENTS ARE BOUND TO HAPPEN
- Matrix / Runout: RE-02 / B0010616-01 - C / FOR A GOOD TIME CALL LARS STALFORS 714261-0533
- Matrix / Runout: RE-02 / B0010616-01 - D / I WISH YOU WOULD BURN MY MOTHER FUCKING CLOTHES .... REAL TALK!
- Notes: Gatefold double LP. Planchette-shaped 7" version of Mr. Muggs included. (Mr. Muggs will play on either side) 12" discs are two toned - red / black
- CD
- Released: 23 Jan 2008
- Country: Japan
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 4 988005 502513
- Rights Society: JASRAC
- Notes:
- CD
- Released: 2008
- Country: Russia
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 6 02517 57530 1
- Label Code: LC01846
- Matrix / Runout: S1040 06025 175 753-0 01 # 52068064
- Notes: Unofficial Russian version of European release. Comes in standard jewel case with 4 page booklet.
- File
- Released: 29 Jan 2008
- Country: US
- Identifiers:
- Notes: ℗ 2007 The Mars Volta iTunes version with bonus tracks Memories and Things Behind the Sun included.
- CD
- Released: 2008
- Country: UK
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 6 02517 58443 3
- Rights Society: BIEM/SABAM
- Label Code: LC01846
- Matrix / Runout: [4 Universal Logos] 1758443 01
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI L135
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 04BF
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 0472
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 04AJ
- Notes: Bonus track "Candy & A Currant Bun" is a Pink Floyd cover. Recorded at 6050 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA; 5074 Alhambra Ave., Los Angeles, CA; and 99 Sutton St., Brooklyn, NY. Edited on the E-Clat Disaster Portable Morgue Unit. Strings recorded at 245 Hyde St., Studio C, San Francisco, CA.
- CD
- Released: 29 Jan 2008
- Country: US
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 602517575318
- Matrix / Runout: [EDC logo] B00 106 1602 01!!
- Matrix / Runout: B00 106 1702DV01L0 01%% 5LAYER 0
- Notes: The Best Buy Version includes a 20 Minute Live DVD of never before seen concert footage and an [url=https://www.discogs.com/release/11757824]insert card[/url] for two free downloadable bonus audio tracks.
- CD
- Released: 2008
- Country: Mexico
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 6 02517 57530 1
- Notes:
- CD
- Released: 23 Jan 2008
- Country: Japan
- Identifiers:
- Matrix / Runout: [Universal Music Logo] UICX-1178 1W V
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI L244
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 4011
- Matrix / Runout: [Universal Music Logo] UIBX-1147-0-1 1D
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI L246
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 40B8
- Rights Society: JASRAC
- Barcode: 4 988005 502520
- Barcode: 4988005502520
- Notes: This Japanese Deluxe edition includes a DVD with two videos and three audio tracks of covers of songs by [a152680], [a9452], and [a28085]. Made in Japan.
- CD
- Released: 2008
- Country: Argentina
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 602517575301
- Rights Society: SADAIC. BIEM. AADI. CAPIF.
- Notes: (P)(C) 2008 The Mars Volta. Licensed exclusively to Universal Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. 1755 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. Industria Argentina. Has ifpi hologram sticker on front.
- CD
- Released: 2008
- Country: Brazil
- Identifiers:
- Notes:
- CD
- Released: 25 Jan 2008
- Country: Europe
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 602517575301
- Barcode: 6 02517 57530 1
- Label Code: LC01846
- Rights Society: BIEM
- Rights Society: SABAM
- Matrix / Runout: 06025 175 753-0 01 # 52068064 [Universal logo]x4
- Matrix / Runout: Made in Germany by EDC B
- Matrix / Runout: Made in Germany by EDC A
- Matrix / Runout: Made in Germany by EDC C
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI L008
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 0125
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 0118
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 0132
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 0114
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 0133
- Notes: CD comes in Super Jewel Case with 10-page booklet with all lyrics, artwork and credits. ℗ & © 2007 The Mars Volta Made in the EU
- Memory Stick
- Released: 29 Jan 2008
- Country: US
- Identifiers:
- Notes: Limited Edition USB memory stick made to resemble a planchette from a Ouija board.
- CD
- Released: 25 Jan 2008
- Country: Europe
- Identifiers:
- Notes: CD comes in Super Jewel Case with 10-page booklet with all lyrics, artwork and credits. Bonus track 13 "Candy & A Currant Bun"
- CD
- Released: 04 Jun 2008
- Country: Japan
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 4 988005 514035
- Barcode: 4988005514035
- Matrix / Runout: UICX-1178 1W V
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI L244
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 4011
- Matrix / Runout: UIBX-1161-0-1 1A
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI L245
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 40D1
- Rights Society: JASRAC
- Notes: Japan Tour edition. Comes in a slipcase. Complete with 12-page booklet, 20-page extra booklet and obi-strip.
- CD
- Released: 2008
- Country: Asia
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 6 02517 57530 1
- Barcode: 602517575301
- Matrix / Runout: [4x 'Universal' logo] 01100708 1757530
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI LK76
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 8398
- Notes:
- CD
- Released: 2008
- Country: Japan
- Identifiers:
- Matrix / Runout: UICX-1178 1W V
- Matrix / Runout: SAMPLE LOANED
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI L244
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 4011
- Other: 見本品
- Notes: This is a japanese promo version with a promo sticker over barcode on obi and a promo stamp on a disc.
- CD
- Released: 2008
- Country: Russia
- Identifiers:
- Notes: (p)2007 The Mars Volta Licensed exclusively to Universal Records. (c)2007 The Mars Volta, Licensed exclusively to Universal Records, a Division of UNG Recordings, inc. (c)(p)"Юниверсал Мьюзик" 2008
- CD
- Released: 29 Jan 2008
- Country: US
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: D172999
- Notes: (P)(C) 2008 The Mars Volta. Licensed exclusively to Universal Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. 1755 Broadway, New York, NY 10019. Distributed by Universal Music Distribution.
- CD
- Released: 25 Jan 2008
- Country: Russia
- Identifiers:
- Notes: CD comes with 12-page booklet with all lyrics, artwork and credits.
- CD
- Released: 25 Jan 2008
- Country: Australia
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 0 602517 584433
- Matrix / Runout: 1758443 UNIVERSAL 01
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI L681
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 651B
- Notes: Bonus track 13 "Candy & A Currant Bun", a Pink Floyd cover.
- CD
- Released: 25 Jan 2008
- Country: Europe
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 6 02517 57530 1
- Barcode: 602517575301
- Matrix / Runout: [4x Universal logo] 06025 175 753-0 02 + 52068064
- Matrix / Runout: MADE IN GERMANY BY EDC F
- Matrix / Runout: MADE IN GERMANY BY EDC A
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI LV27
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 0152
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 0139
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 0159
- Rights Society: BIEM/SABAM
- Label Code: LC01846
- Notes: ℗2007 The Mars Volta, Licensed exclusively to Universal Records. ©2007 The Mars Volta, Licensed exclusively to Universal Records, a Division of UMG Recordings, Inc. Made in the EU. Standard jewel case with clear tray and 12-page lyrics booklet.
- CD
- Released: 29 Jan 2008
- Country: Canada
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 6 02517 57530 1
- Barcode: 602517575301
- Matrix / Runout: [Cinram Logo] B001061602 #80104Z38
- Matrix / Runout: MADE IN CANADA 4
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI LT36
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 6000
- Matrix / Runout: [Cinram Logo] B001061602 #80104Z28
- Matrix / Runout: MADE IN CANADA 4
- Mastering SID Code: IFPI LT36
- Mould SID Code: IFPI 6000
- Matrix / Runout: [Cinram Logo] B001061602 #80104Z23
- Notes: (P)(C) 2008 The Mars Volta. Licensed exclusively to Universal Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. Manufactured and distributed by Universal Music Canada Inc., 2450 Victoria Park Ave., Suite #1, Toronto, Ontario M2J 5H3.
- CD
- Released: 21 Mar 2012
- Country: Japan
- Identifiers:
- Barcode: 4988005700162
- ASIN: B006WQJFYS
- Rights Society: JASRAC
- Notes: (P)(C) 2008 The Mars Volta. Licensed exclusively to Universal Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc. 1755 Broadway, New York, NY 10019.
- CD
- Released:
- Country: China
- Identifiers:
- Notes: 火星沃尔塔
The Bedlam in Goliath is the fourth full length release by The Mars Volta. It was their last to be released through Universal Records. Jeff Jordan’s artwork was again used for the album cover. The name of the piece is called Agadez.
The Bedlam in Goliath was marketed as having a rather elaborate and intensive lore, more so than even De-Loused in the Comatorium. Through various interviews the story was presented that Omar purchased a Ouija board while on a trip to Jerusalem with the name “The Soothsayer”. The board was given to Cedric as a gift and throughout the 2006 tour they used it on the tour bus. Omar and Cedric claim the board would tell them stories, share names, and also express demands. “Goliath” was a personality they contacted through the board.
Omar and Cedric have claimed that as a result of their interactions with the board they began to have otherworldly experiences akin to being cursed such as audio recordings for the album deleting, Omar’s studio flooding and losing power on multiple occasions, and the original audio engineer having a nervous breakdown and refusing the complete the album, allegedly having said “I’m not going to help you make this record. You’re trying to do something very bad with this record, you’re trying to make me crazy and you’re trying to make people crazy.”
Eventually Omar destroyed the board, buried it, and with the help of new audio engineers was able to complete the album.
The Bedlam in Goliath is the first album to not feature Jon Theodore on drums as he had quit the band after the completion of Amputechture. Thomas Pridgen became the band’s full time replacement.
Wax Simulacra was the first single for the album. The music video was posted online in the Autumn of 2007. As the album was not posted on youtube, instead having its own unique URL, members of The Comatorium quickly uncovered music videos for Goliath and Aberinkula as well by trying to use all the song titles in the URL, accidentally revealing these music videos earlier than planned. Askepios and Ilyena were posted a little later in the year.
The album was promoted far more heavily than any of their other albums. For example, they had a full length set on Yahoo’s Nissan Live Set, played on David Letterman’s show, and even a video game was commissioned to go along with the album. As mentioned, there were five music videos and a myriad of bonus tracks, all of which were uncommon for a The Mars Volta Release.
The album was further promoted by the band’s only New Year’s Eve show and a run of smaller club shows prior to the records release in late January.
Bonus tracks:
The Bedlam in Goliath was packaged with varying bonus tracks depending on the region and format you purchased it.
- Mr. Muggs was a bonus 7” that came with the vinyl release.
- Birthday is a cover of a song by The Sugarcubes. Available on Japanese version of the album and from Best Buy as a bonus download.
- Candy and a Currant Bun is a cover of a song by Pink Floyd. Available on the UK, AUS, and NZ versions of the album. Also from U.S. independent record stores as a VinylDisc single.
- Memories is a cover of a song by The Soft Machine. Available on the Japanese version of the album and on iTunes as a bonus track.
- Things Behind the Sun is a cover of a song by Nick Drake. Available on the Japanese version of the album and on iTunes as a bonus track.
- A DVD containing a live rendition of Cygnus….Vismund Cygnus from the 2007 Australia tour was packaged with the US release at some stores.
- Two demos, one for Agadez and one for Soothsayer, were released through the USB stick release.
Charting:
Australian Albums (ARIA) 3
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria) 46
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders) 35
Canadian Albums (Billboard) 6
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) 42
Finnish Albums (Suomen virallinen lista) 9
French Albums (SNEP) 87
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100) 29
Italian Albums (FIMI) 42
Irish Albums (IRMA) 57
Japanese Albums (Oricon) 22
Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico) 47
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ) 13
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista) 10
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE) 58
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan) 32
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) 57
UK Albums (OCC) 42
US Billboard 200 3