The Mars Volta returns with a fresh dose of epic rock'n'roll on its third studio album, "Amputechture." The eight-track set is due Aug. 22 via Universal and opens with the seven-minute "Vicarious Atonement," the closest the group has ever come to a ballad.

The album then moves back to familiar expansive musical territory on the nearly 17-minute "Tetragrammaton," and also features two other tracks that clock in past the 11-minute mark, "Meccamputechture" and "Day of the Baphomets." The disc itself runs more than 76 minutes in length.

In addition to contributions from Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, "Amputechture" also features Paul Hinojos' first studio work with the Mars Volta since joining as a touring musician in 2005. Hinojos previously played with Mars Volta principals Cedric Bixler-Zavala and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez in At The Drive-In.

"Amputechture" is the follow-up to 2005's "Frances the Mute," which debuted at a career-best No. 4 on The Billboard 200 and has sold nearly 465,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The Mars Volta will support the Red Hot Chili Peppers on its upcoming North American tour, which opens Aug. 11 in Portland, Ore.

Here is the track list for "Amputechture":

"Vicarious Atonement"
"Tetragrammaton"
"Vermicide"
"Meccamputechture"
"Asilos Magdalena"
"Viscera Eyes"
"Day of the Baphomets"
"El Ciervo Vulnerado"