Additional Info: TANTRIC is dead! Long live TANTRIC! A band that garnered a Platinum record with their self titled debut, featuring their #1 single â??Breakdownâ?, a strong sophomore release (AFTER WE GO) on Maverick Records, and considerable critical acclaim saw members depart, their label change direction and the bottom drop out of their future. Not one to give up, vocalist and remaining original member Hugo Ferriera pressed on and turned it all around.
Their newest CD THE END BEGINS truly closes the door on what TANTRIC used to be and shows rock fans everywhere what can be done with talent, passion and a unique take on what modern Rock & Roll should sound like. â?Every ending gives birth to a new beginning,â? says vocalist Hugo Ferreira. â??The previous lineup is gone and that enabled me to bring in people with a whole new perspective.â? Now joining Ferreira is Kevin Miller (ex-FUEL) a hard-hitting drummer and a human metronome, with the experience of being in a multi platinum band on his side, Joe Pessia, an intricate, detailed player â??really internalizes the guitar parts and puts this incredible spin on them, Erik Leonhardt, a great bass player AND a great singer, he makes the harmonies in the songs pop, and a most unusual addition, classically trained violin player, Marcus Ratzenboeck. â??We are treating his violin like a guitar,â? Ferriera says. â??Marcus comes from a classical background and he brings that to the rock music we are makingâ?¦ it sounds so fresh and different.â?
The fresh sound permeates THE END BEGINS. â??The Oneâ? features guest vocals from Kevin Martin of label mates Candlebox, over a sweeping melody anchored by keyboard and guitar alike. â??Down and Outâ? redefines the use of the violin in rock music. Its switch from stabbing and aggressive to sweet and melodic bolster s Ferreiraâ??s deep, stirring vocals and makes this focus track really MOVE. The soulful and pensive â??Layâ? as well and the layered sound and time shifts of the albumâ??s opener â??Regretâ? widen the TANTRIC experience at both ends of the spectrum.
Beginning this particular â??endâ?? was the bandâ??s deal with Jeff Hansonâ??s (Creed, Paramore) Silent Majority Records. The album was being written and, according to Hugo he â??was in limbo, not sure what he was going to do,â? until the SMG deal breathed life into his process. Giving up was not an option for Ferreira â??I had the band name tattooed on me, so there was no going back,â? he joked. â??Everything in my life was invested toward this. Ultimately Iâ??d rather just survive and do what I love rather than do anything else.â? The new lineup wanted to bring back producer and â??6th band member,â?? Toby Wright (Slayer, Alice In Chains, Korn, Corrosion of Conformity). â??The band has created a new sound that hits you hard and sticks in your headâ? says Wright. Hanson says â??I always loved Hugoâ??s voice but I thought the band may be done. Then I heard the new songs the band had written and I immediately knew there would be another chapter in this book.â? |