Search - Tantric :: The End Begins

A New Tantric

J. Smith | 04/28/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Unlike most people, I liked more songs from Tantric's second CD than the first. This album's sound definitely returns to Tantric's roots and will please those who liked the first album more but it is definitely NOT the same Tantric. Since the original band left, it goes without saying that Tantric does not sound the same. Lead singer Hugo Ferreira is the sole remaining member and has rebuilt the band with new members. Hugo decided to NOT try to imitate Tantric's previous efforts. You will not hear another "Breakdown" or "Astounded" on this album. Songs like "Regret" and "Lucky One" sound more alternative than rock but tunes like their single "Down and Out" and "The End Begins" give us a taste of what we're used to while songs like "Lay" and "The One" (which was written before the breakup) take us in totally new territory. NONE of the songs on this album sound like After We Go. Also, without Whitener you will notice the vocals don't have the "Alice in Chains" sound either which was criticized by some but relished by others. The new members are more multi-talented and all the new instruments involved give them an expanded repertoire more along the lines of "Evanesence". The vocals on this album are not as processed as previous albums even though Toby Wright produced this too. The most striking difference of course is the loss of Whitener's guitar. Practically all Tantric songs began with one of his extended riffs and the other instruments "stacked" on top of it. The new lineup does practically none of this. Some people will find this a bit of culture shock--but if you'll remember the complaints about the second album were that it didn't break enough new ground. This album certainly does that----but it's still Tantric.

The songs are angry, introspective, and loud......everything a Tantric CD is supposed to be! :-) Hugo maintains his no holds barred way expressing himself. You won't need to be told which songs are about Whitener and which are about an old flame. Kevin's keyboards come in handy on "The One" but every other time it makes them sound more europop-ish and so I dinged them one star for it. The album isn't as rock as we might have liked but it gets the job done. I've heard some of Whitener's new work with Interchange and it's clear Hugo had more influence on Tantric's music all this time. He was the only one who could've brought us another album. This is a solid effort and gives Tantric something to build on. For better or worse, Tantric is back. And I'm glad."

Awesome CD

Victoria Yeager | NC, USA | 05/18/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've been waiting four years for some new Tantric. And what we got, a really new Tantric. New drummer, new bassist, new guitarist, and an addition of a violinist (which is really cool). The only person the same in the singer. The new Tantric, appropriately titled 'The End Begins' is just what we expect. They don't do the same old stuff other rock bands do. They are truly unique (especially now that they have a violinist). The first single, "Down and Out," gives me goosebumps with the line "We come from the bottom and knock it out," which is just a fantastic line. I love the song "Love Song" but can really listen to every song on this CD, start to finish. The songs themselves make a beautiful 5-star album.



So why the 4 stars? Simple. The physical CDs are edited. Two songs, "The One" and "Monopoly" each have the f-word in them just once, but they are muted out. I happen to got those legally, buy buying them from iTunes (the digital versions can be bought at Amazon as well) so that I'd have the real deal. A minor inconvenience to me, but I've waited so long just to hear new tunes by the band, I can live with the additional 1.98 I paid to download those two songs."

Decent album... but not at all representative of tantric

D. Hadley | SF, CA | 05/22/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If you pick up this CD expecting it to be anything like the debut or After We Go you will be disappointed. This is not the same band (as you are obviously aware of at this point if you are buying the album).



As far as I see it there are two main problems with this album:

1) Tantric's drummer has been replaced by Fuel's former drummer. When I read this I immediately knew what we were going to get - average beats (few fills, poor double bass and average work). Tantric's best rhythms can be found in after we go... their original drummer (I'm not going to bother looking up his name (if by chance he reads this... dude... you are missed)) played to his own beat, and that beat was distinctive, tight and excellent. Fuel's guy bring average skills to the drum table and it shows. Yes, he keeps rhythm, but you don't listen to these songs and get impressed by the drummer

2) Guitar work. Gone are the excellent solos and fingerpicking. Alice in Chains or not, Tantric guitarist (Whittener (sp?) had great chops on the guitar and was a good singer as well. You're going to hear a lot of overlays on Hugo's voice whereas in the past Tantric's previous guitarist would sing backup. This leaves a lot to be desired as the harmonies that were apparent on both the debut album and after we go just aren't there like they used to be.



Here's where I draw the dividing line between this album and the past two... when I play songs from the first album (hate me now, astounded) or the second album (i.e. just once, chasing after) my friends always ask who is on the radio... w/ this album you're just not going to get that. It's not as different or as impressive.



So I give it 3 points... new band, new sound (but let's be honest, the violin doesn't add THAT much to the sound) and some aggressive lyrics. This is a different band though and this album will NEVER be considered the definitive Tantric sound or album (nor should it be). Should you buy it? Maybe."