 The style of the album combined progressive metal and space rock with influences and elements from new wave and electronica , utilizing programming and synthesizers . According to Jared Leto , the band wanted to create " something that had cohesiveness and kind of an atmospheric musical story to it " . He identified groups that had a sense of identity and atmosphere as being influential on the album 's songwriting . He cited classic stoner rock artists , to which he and his brother Shannon had listened while growing up . Eventually , they gravitated toward more conceptual work like Pink Floyd , David Bowie and The Cure . Thirty Seconds to Mars also drew influences from acts such as Björk , Rush , and Depeche Mode ; according to Shannon Leto , the inspirations derived from " mostly big conceptional bands ; bands that had depth ; bands that were dynamic " . 
