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It would be impossible to describe the sound of this band without the inevitable references to DOTN. They sound very much like the first DOTN CD, you remember... the good one. The vocals here even sound the same and the comparisons to Layne from Alice in Chains will also be made I'm sure. But this is almost a genre all to itself, sort of "acoustic hard rock" maybe. This isn't gloom and doom either, it's upbeat.

Strong points of the CD include the songs "Breakdown", "Mourning", and the amazing song "Astounded". But overall there really isn't much filler. These guys are obviously good songwriters with a knack for playing some catchy riffs and throwing in some good harmonies. I hope they catch on. Hard rock could really use some real musicians.


Awesome.....   February 17, 2001
 18 out of 20 found this review helpful

Ok, let me just start by saying that I usually buy 2-3 CD's a week but so far this year nothing has really come out that has impressed me.....until now. The former members of Days of the New plus new singer Hugo have released the most awesome new rock record for a long time. It is amazing how much Hugo sounds like Travis Meeks and even better. Almost like Layne Staley in a way too.... He is backed by the extremely talented original Days of the New band and they pull off all 12 tracks on this album flawlessly-it rocks all the way through. Personal faves are "Mourning", "Astounded", "Hate Me", and of course "Breakdown." but like I said, every song is great. I also had the pleasure of seeing these guys live (opening for Dust For Life) a couple of weeks ago in Omaha and they blew Dust for Life off the stage. It was ... awesome so if they come to your town definatly check them out(It only cost me 6$ too!) So go out and get the CD and tell your friends too. This is the best album I have heard in a long time-it deserves 10 stars.


Excellent   March 27, 2001
 15 out of 15 found this review helpful

I wasn't really disappointed about the Days of the New breakup (massive lay-off is probably a better description), because I never really like DOTN. Travis Meeks's lyrics never really did anything for me-- "The shelf in the room has been the way . . ." Gimme a break.

Then I heard the new "Breakdown" on the radio, and felt like I should get the album to hear the rest of Tantric's work. When I learned that the former emembers of DOTN and a new lead singer (Ferreira) made up Tantric, I was even more intrigued. I stood in line at the store hoping that I wasn't throwing another $12 down the drain. Turned out to be some of the best $12 I've spent recently.

This album is excellent. Obviously reminsicent of the DOTN sound, but I've found the lyrics to be a lot more intelligent, and I like Ferreira's voice better than Meeks's. The double-tracked harmonies with his voice are "astounding." I also must compliment the entire band, because these guys are real musicians-- they play with different effects and styles, (employing keyboards in some songs), while still keeping to a DOTN/Alice in Chains hard rock sound. My favorite tracks are "Breakdown," "I Don't Care," "Mourning," "Astounded," "All to Myself," and "Hate Me."

Overall, this entire album really shines. You'll be hard-presed to find any filler. If you enjoy the styles of DOTN and/or Alice in Chains, this is a must-have. Do yourself a favor and purchase this album. You won't regret it!


After all of these years, somebody finally got it right!   January 30, 2002
 10 out of 12 found this review helpful

Where in the hell have these guys been hiding?! I understand that the current line-up is what's left of "Days Of The New", but this is even better.
From the opening "Breakdown" to the closer "Inside Your head", this CD flat out rocks! It has been several years since I've heard anything NEW that sounds so good. The line-up consists of Hugo Ferreira-vocals, Matt Taul-drums, Jesse Vest-Bass, and Todd Whitener-guitar-vocals. I don't know what they're using to write these songs..but I'm impressed!
There seems to be a mixture of influences here. Ferreira sounds a lot like Jim Morrison at times, and I don't think the comparison is stretching the truth at all. I also have caught a little of a Ronnie Montrose (Gamma) when I listen to guitar riffs on this CD. There is even a faint Allman Brothers buzz here! Having compared these fellas to some old timer's, I can also hear a bit of Metalica coming out.
Tantric has managed to blend and mold several influences well on this CD. There is even a bit of (just a little) country influence here. Combined with stellar song writing and a vocal delivery that enables the listener to really understand what is being said, the Louisville Kentucky natives have put out a recording that really hits home lyrically.
The men of Tantric let you know that THEY know what's up, and they're not afraid to tell you either! Such a breath of fresh air after so many years of politically correct recordings.


Travis Walked Away with the Name but not the Talent   June 8, 2001
 9 out of 12 found this review helpful

If Days of the New lead singer and "creative force" Travis Meeks wasn't sorry that he had dropped his trio of former bandmates in Tantric when he listened to "Breakdown" then it couldn't have taken much longer to realize what a fool he was. The first four songs are masterpieces of the Days of the New, acoustic hard rock craft, with a tinge of electric guitar played delicately by Todd Whitener.

The rest of the album breezes by, a compact and yet lavish album, produced crisply and beautifully. "Mourning" adds a mix of piano and classical guitar with lead singer Hugo Ferreira's growl in the last verse to make up the finest song on a great CD.

The former DOTN's picked up exactly where they should have. This isn't a concept album where the band thinks that they are a little bit bigger than the music. It's just good rock music, first and foremost, something that Meeks took out of DOTN when Whitener, Vest and Taul left the band.

If you like DOTN's first CD, you'll like this CD. If you like good rock music, you'll like this CD. That's the bottom line.