Hugo Ferreira – Vocals
Joe Pessia – Guitar
Erik Leonhardt – Bass
Marcus Ratzenboeck – Violin
Kevin Miller – Drums
What happens when a band loses all but one member, changes labels and waits a few months past the 4 year make before
a new album comes about, well just ask Hugo Ferreira of Tantric. The new album The
End Begins hit stores on April 22nd; 2 days shy of the 4 year and 2 month mark since the sophomore release
After We Go. The album begins with the track “Regret” which is a simple
sounding, yet sophisticated simi-dark track. It does offer up a great vocals and guitar riffs/solos. Next on the listing is
the first single “Down and Out.” It’s a radio freely exploration with the use of a Violin throughout the
track and actually begins the whole adventure. Track three will be a special treat to Candlebox fans as Kevin Martin is featured
on it. The track also features another key ingredient of a piano. It is a practically perfect track with masterful mixture
of vocals of the two that goes with the music to create a flowing masterpiece. “Love Song” has a completely different
feel to it as it adds a bit of a funky flare to it. It also has a superb line in the track that says “I hope you’re
really happy and you choke on it.” It just oozes that fuck you, I hate you attitude to it and I love it! Tantric offers
up a softer side on “Wishing” as “Something Better” stays along those lines and emphasizes raw vocals
and violin play. Lucky track seven, “Lucky One” is more of a harder rock track with super sweet violin play in
the beginning that seems to switch to the guitar play throughout the track, for the most part. Next is the title track “End
Begins” is just that; the title track. “Monopoly” is another hard rock track that has fast vocals and the
same guitar over and over again in the chorus. It does offer up a rugged sound and a very nice bridge too. “Why Don’t
You” is an acoustic lead track with layers of lead and backing vocals that are perfectly placed. The album concludes
with the track “Lay.” It’s a step back into time if you will; with the sounds of old school Tantric at their
best, a very solid ending to a solid album. There a very few things that were not likable on the album, but it’s an
album that will take a few listens to appreciate the solidness of it and trust me when I say that. My initial run through
was not very kind, but thankful the next couple of times changed my mind.
Rating: 8 out of 10
My favorite tracks:
Down and
Out, The One, and Monopoly
Track List:
1.
Regret
2.
Down and Out
3.
The One
4.
Love Song
5.
Wishing
6.
Something Better
7.
Lucky One
8.
End Begins
9.
Monopoly
10. Why
Don’t You
11. Lay
Website (s): www.myspace.com/tantric