Tantric releases Mercury Retrograde – a cool combination of styles and sounds – Album Review
By Cathy Moore
After almost two decades of music, multiple variations of lineups, and thousands of live shows, Tantric is still going strong and making music that defies definition and has a profound impact on the world. The Tantric discography includes: Tantric (2001), After We Go (2004), The End Begins (2008), Mind Control (2009), 37 Channels (2013), and Blue Room Archives (2014). And this month the band released its latest masterpiece Mercury Retrograde.
Mercury Retrograde is a brilliant compilation of songs that ranges from hard and heavy to slow and sexy – all made totally Tantric by the signature sound and style of Hugo Ferreira’s voice. The only remaining original member of the band, Ferreira says, “I consider Tantric a boat that I float in—it’s a vessel that carries the music. So I never feel restrictions. It doesn’t have any rules. Tantric music can be super-heavy, light—or both It’s really an open book with no ending in sight.”
This latest Tantric work has some really magical moments on it – and every song has a really different vibe to it. The album kicks off with “Angry” which is fast and furious (no pun intended). “Tether” verges on the edge of being a ballad and “Get Em All” has a bluesy rock style. “Lie Awake” is reminiscent of a Linkin Park song with rap-ish verses and a melodious chorus. It’s just really such a cool combination of styles and sounds.
My favorite tune on the album is definitely “My Forever.” It’s a haunting ballad with impassioned lyrics delivered with the deep and dark sound of Ferreira’s vocals. It literally evoked a physical response for me – like I could feel it in my chest. And then they recreate it as an acoustic version for the last song on the album. It’s one of the most touching and beautiful songs I’ve heard in a very long time. It is just an incredible song that I hope is released as a single because the world needs to hear it – over and over.
Tantric has a rigorous tour schedule planned for the fall and I absolutely plan to get to one of their live shows. I imagine hearing Ferreira’s voice live is even more impactful than on a recording. I urge you to check them out in a city near you!
Tantric is:
Hugo Ferreira – Vocals
Troy Patrick Farrell – Drummer
Jaron Gulino – Bass
Sebastian Labar – Guitar
The new album, Mercury Retrograde, is available via Pavement Entertainment and was released on October 5, 2018. Pick up the album digitally and at major retailers Walmart and Meijer. The album is also available from the following:
Pledge: http://bit.ly/2O0S4we
iTunes: https://apple.co/2x0ZxFg
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2x0ZPvD
Tour Dates
Wed, OCT 17 | 1175 SPORTS PARK & EATERY | Kansasville, WI |
Thu, OCT 18 | Mississippi Moon Bar at Diamond Jo Dubuque | Dubuque, IA |
Fri, OCT 19 | The Token Lounge | Westland, MI |
Sat, OCT 20 | The Looney Bin | Bradley, IL |
Sun, OCT 21 | The Eclectic Room | Angola, Indiana |
Wed, OCT 24 | Dingbatz | Clifton, NJ |
Thu, OCT 25 | THE VAULT @ GREASY LUCK | New Bedford, MA |
Fri, OCT 26 | Stereo Garden | Patchogue, NY |
Sat, OCT 27 | Moniraes | Pennellville, NY |
Sun, OCT 28 | Moonshiners Bar & Grill | Haverhill, MA |
Mon, OCT 29 | The Kingsland | Brooklyn, NY |
Tue, OCT 30 | The Blind Tiger | Greensboro, NC |
Thu, NOV 01 | The Vanguard | Hampton, VA |
Fri, NOV 02 | FLORENCE CENTER | Florence, SC |
Sat, NOV 03 | Break Away II Warehouse | Hagerstown, MD |
Sun, NOV 04 | Hard Rock Café | Pittsburgh, PA |
Wed, NOV 07 | Kung Fu Necktie | Philadelphia, PA |
Thu, NOV 08 | The Drunk Horse Pub | Fayetteville, NC |
Fri, NOV 09 | IX ART PARK | Charlottesville, VA |
Sat, NOV 10 | The Empire Concert Club & Bar LLC | Akron, OH |
Sun, NOV 11 | Courtyard Lounge | Englewood, OH |
Thu, NOV 15 | The Playhouse | Eau Claire, WI |
Fri, NOV 16 | THE AVENUE BAR & GRILL | Owosso, MI |
Sat, NOV 17 | Penny Road Pub | Barrington, IL |
Sun, NOV 18 | Amsterdam Bar & Hall | Saint Paul, MN |
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