TANTRIC ****

Tantric is a rock band from Louisville, Kentucky. The group has released four studio albums since 2001; although, their last two albums only retain Tantric's original singer, Hugo Ferreira. Having previously recorded albums for Maverick Records, including their platinum–selling debut, they are currently under Silent Majority Group.

History

In November 1998, after months of canceled concerts and internal band conflict, Days of the New frontman Travis Meeks fired his fellow bandmates, guitarist Todd Whitener, bassist Jesse Vest, and drummer Matt Taul. The three would be forced to take up low-wage jobs in the months ahead.

In early 1999, however, they spoke with Detroit native Hugo Ferreira about starting a new project. The former Days of the New bandmates had previously met Ferreira, formerly of Merge, during a tour and admired his distinct baritone voice. By March that year, the four had their first practice together upon Ferreira's move to Nashville. They began under the name C-14, a short name for radiocarbon but soon renamed the band to Tantric. With the help of friends in Louisville radio, the band quickly gained local exposure.

Tantric

By late 2000, Tantric's demo caught the attention of Maverick Records who signed them that same year. The band quickly began recording their self–titled debut with producer Toby Wright2001, Tantric debuted at #193 on the Billboard 200 and eventually went platinum, largely on the strength of the single "Breakdown" as well as extensive touring with the likes of Kid Rock and Creed. Follow–up singles "Astounded" and a remixed in Nashville. Released in February version of "Mourning" also fared well.

Tantric continued touring in 2002 before starting the recording of their sophomore effort in April that year. In June, Tantric contributed the song "Cross the Line" to the NASCAR: Crank It Up compilation album.

After We Go

After a frustrated recording session and pressure from the label, Tantric's second album, After We Go, again produced by Wright, was released in February 2004, preceded by the single "Hey Now." Described as heavier than their first record, After We Go debuted at #56 on the Billboard 200. Unfortunately, the album did not match the success of their debut, in part due to the poor reception of follow–up singles, the title track "After We Go" and their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain." Nevertheless, Tantric soldiered on, touring with 3 Doors DownShinedown for much of 2004. and

Tantric III

In 2005, bassist Jesse Vest left the group, wishing to spend more time with his family. He was replaced by Bruce LaFrance through mutual friend and touring band member Kevin McCreery. With Elliott Blakey in the producer's chair, Tantric worked on the follow-up to After We Go, tentatively titled Tantric III, and scheduled for a May 2006 release. The band finished over a dozen songs for the album such as "People," "Worth Waiting For," "Stay With You," "Locked Out," and Whitener's lead singing performance, "July." Complications arose in March 2006, when Tantric parted ways with Maverick Records, which itself was collapsing.

In 2007, Matt Taul was arrested on drug-related charges, which would further complicate the band's obtaining a new label. Finally, on May 8, 2007, the release of three songs from Tantric IIIMySpace was largely overshadowed by Todd Whitener's farewell announcement on the band's website, which cited a feeling of stagnation that caused him to grow tired of the band's struggle to succeed. Ferreira later said in interviews that Whitener, as well as other members of the band had grown frustrated with the band's record label complications. Taul was sent to prison in later months, but has since been released. Bruce LaFrance was replaced. on the band's

The End Begins

Disappointed but headstrong, Hugo Ferreira began searching for new bandmates. He enlisted former Fuel drummer Kevin Miller and, through mutual friend Nuno Bettencourt, Dramagodselectric violin. Shortly thereafter, the band announced their deal with the independent label Silent Majority Group and their new management company JHMP. guitarist Joe Pessia. Erik Leonhardt would become bassist and Marcus Ratzenboeck rounded out the new Tantric lineup with the

Because Ferreira remained the only original member, Tantric III had been shelved. Ferreira has said the reasoning for this, other than the logical label complications, was he did not want to produce an album under the Tantric name that was partially written by Whitener and Taul. With the indefinite shelving of "T3," Ferreira and his new mates recorded 10 new songs, in addition to a totally revamped version of "The One," featuring Kevin Martin of Candlebox, and finally released Tantric's third album, The End Begins, on April 22, 2008. Its lead single, "Down and Out," gained radio success and strongly exhibited the band's new violinist.

Mind Control

After touring in support of The End Begins, drummer Kevin Miller departed and was replaced by Richie Monica. On March 9, 2009, Tantric announced the recording of their fourth album. Mind Control was released on August 4, 2009 and marked the dismissal of producer Toby Wright in favor of former touring Creed bassist Brett Hestla.

Musical style

Tantric is often categorized as post-grunge and is known for its emphasis on acoustic guitar, distorted electric guitar, and multi-layered vocal harmonies. However, due to their heaviness, the band also fit in well during the early 2000s peak of alternative/nu metal. In their early career, Tantric was frequently compared to Days of the New, from which its original guitarist, bassist, and drummer derived. However, the group also gained strong comparison - and in some cases, criticism - to grunge forerunners Alice in Chains. This is by no means coincidence; famed record producer Toby Wright, who handled Tantric's first three albums, also produced two Alice in Chains albums as well as the solo debut of their principal songwriter, Jerry Cantrell. Wright is known for emphasizing multi-tracked vocal harmonies and other characteristics demonstrated in both bands.

However, since the departure of all but Tantric's vocalist from the original lineup, as well as the inclusion of electric violinist Marcus Ratzenboeck, the band's musical approach has evolved. Songs predating Ratzenboeck's inclusion in Tantric have since been performed live with violin, and the altered backing band has provided a shift in musical direction.