The End Begins

Left without a band, Hugo Ferreira scrapped the entire record. He began writing new material at his own studio before enlisting members of his side project, State of the Art, to record and tour as Tantric. These include ex-Fuel drummer Kevin Miller, ex-DramaGods bassist Joe Pessia on guitar, Fosterchild bassist Erik Leonhardt, and Marcus Ratzenboeck on electric violin, adding another dimension to the band. Ratzenboeck's brother Derek, a classical concert violinist, would composed the intro violin riff to the song "Down & Out".

With returning producer Toby Wright, the new line-up finished recording within 30 days in September 2007.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20101213075242/http://allaccessmagazine.com/vol6/issue06/tantric.html The End Begins: Kevin Miller of Tantric]}} AllAccessMagazine.com (May 15, 2008). Retrieved on 12-09-08.

The End Begins was released on April 22, 2008, and debuted at number 91 on the Billboard 200. As of July 11, 2008, it has sold over 10,000 copies, with the lead single, "Down & Out" at number 8 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. The song's popularity led it to become Tampa Bay Rays slugger Evan Longoria's walk-up theme.

In regards to the album title, Hugo Ferreira cited the process up to its inception and stated, "the end of one thing led to the beginning of another." He also noted that the majority of songs revolve around either the band itself or a troubled personal relationship he endured during the writing process. Ferreira described the album's lyrical themes in a November 2008 interview:

:"This record is all about the strife and challenges of getting back on my feet after the second Tantric record, After We Go, not only on a professional sense but a personal one as well. It deals with personal and emotional growth, and learning from the blows the industry and life gives you."Silva, Kait [http://www.acedmagazine.com/content/view/1469/ Long Live Tantric] AcedMagazine.com (November 20, 2008). Retrieved on 12-09-08.

The only version of the physical End Begins album is a partially censored edition; the tracks "The One" and "Monopoly" are muted of explicit lyrics and listed as "Clean" when played on a PC.[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1336157|pure_url=yes}} The End Begins - Overview] Allmusic.com "Love Song", however, frequently uses the word "shit" uncensored during its chorus.Upton, Dan [http://www.antimusic.com/reviews/08/Tantric.shtml Tantric - The End Begins Review] AntiMusic.com (2008). Retrieved on September 16, 2008.[http://chastiser-music.blogspot.com/ Tantric - The End Begins (2008)] Chastiser-Music.blogspot.com (April 24, 2008). Retrieved on September 16, 2008. It appears that the only way of obtaining the two aforementioned songs uncensored is by purchasing them as MP3s via iTunes or Amazon.com[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014DC05U Tantric - The End Begins] Amazon.com (2008). Retrieved on September 16, 2008. or obtaining them through the band's manager.

On January 13, 2009, The End Begins was re-released as a "Digital Deluxe" edition. This includes the bonus tracks "Down & Out" (Acoustic) and "Fall Down." As of May 2009, the album has sold well over 70,000 copies.Kerr, Lori [http://www.unratedmagazine.com/Articles/Archive/2009/Tantric_Hugo-Ferreira.cfm Tantric: Interview with Hugo Ferreira] UnratedMagazine.com (May 5, 2009). Retrieved on 8-24-09.

Based on crowd response to the song "Fall Down", which was originally planned for Tantric III, the band rerecorded it without the Nappy Roots feature as their second single for a November 4, 2008 radio and iTunes release. The version of the song featuring Nappy Roots can only be found on YouTube because lead singer Hugo Ferreira leaked the song out to fans for appreciation. With this, they also announced a re-release of The End Begins including the said song as a bonus track.[http://baltimoreathome.com/dct/62/id/278042/mid/1711/Tantric-Down-With-Tacked-On-Track.aspx Tantric Down With Tacked On Track] BaltimoreAtHome.com (November 22, 2008). Retrieved on 12-04-08. The "Digital Deluxe" edition, available January 13, 2009, also features an acoustic version of "Down & Out" but is evidently only available in download form.[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001QTUYEG The End Begins - Digital Deluxe (Explicit)] Amazon.com (2009). Retrieved on 4-19-09.

{{track listing

| all_writing = Tantric

| title1 = Regret

| length1 = 4:13

| title2 = Down and Out

| length2 = 3:39

| title3 = The One

| note3 = feat. Kevin Martin of Candlebox

| length3 = 4:08

| title4 = Love Song

| length4 = 4:03

| title5 = Wishing

| length5 = 4:50

| title6 = Something Better

| length6 = 4:01

| title7 = Lucky One

| length7 = 3:28

| title8 = The End Begins

| length8 = 4:11

| title9 = Monopoly

| length9 = 3:51

| title10 = Why Don't You

| length10 = 3:42

| title11 = Lay

| length11 = 4:19

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Digital deluxe bonus tracks

| title12 = Down & Out

| note12 =Acoustic

| length12 = 3:36

| title13 = Fall Down

| length13 = 3:37

}}

Tantric

• Hugo Ferreira – lead vocals
• Kevin Miller – drums, percussion, keyboards, vocals
• Joe Pessia – electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin
• Erik Leonhardt – bass, vocals
• Marcus Ratzenboeck – electric violin

Additional personnel

• Kevin Martin – vocals on "The One"
• Toby Wright – producer, engineer, mixing
• James Musshorn – mix assistant
• Carlos Ferreira/Sketchtank – graphic design, packaging photography

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{{Tantric}}

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Category:2008 albums

Category:Albums produced by Toby Wright

Category:Tantric (band) albums