Sparta got a deal with Dreamworks in 2001 and released their debut EP Austere in early 2002. They released their debut full-length album Wiretap Scars on August 13, 2002. The album is mostly influenced by their previous work with At the Drive-In, which is a contrast from The Mars Volta, formed by the other two ex-members of ATD-I, which departs entirely from post-hardcore and instead focuses on progressive rock or psychedelic rock. This album is also a lot cleaner and more accessible than At the Drive-In's experimentation.
On May 25, 2003, Ward's cousin Jeremy, the sound manipulator for The Mars Volta, died of a heroin overdose. Hinojos would leave Sparta in 2005 to join TMV as their secondary guitarist and filling in Jeremy Ward's position as sound manipulator. He was replaced by Keeley Davis (Engine Down, Denali).
Sparta's second full-length album Porcelain was released July 13, 2004 and peaked at #60 on the Billboard 200. The first single released from the album was "Breaking the Broken," for which a music video was recorded that received much airplay.
In January 2006, they announced that they had signed a deal with Hollywood Records, which will release their third album Threes on October 24, 2006. The album peaked at #83 on the Billboard 200. It's the first album with guitarist Keeley Davis and its debut single was "Taking Back Control."
In June 2008, Ward stated that Sparta is on hiatus and without a label; he would focus instead on his alternative country band, Sleepercar, which released its debut album West Texas on April 22, 2008. Three years later, on August 3, 2011, Ward stated that Sparta was back in action and would play their first show in November in El Paso. That comeback would be short, as in January 2012, At The Drive-In reunited for a series of shows, splitting up once again at the end of the year. In January 2016, At The Drive-In reunited for the second time. However, days before the tour start in March 2016, it was announced that Ward had been replaced in the band by his former Sparta bandmate Keeley Davis.
Sparta would come back for a second time in 2017, with a line-up consisting of Ward, Miller, Gabriel Gonzalez and Cully Symington (Beach Slang, Cursive). They would release their fourth album, Trust the River, on April 10, 2020 on Dine Alone Records.
There is another band ith the sane name:
2. Sparta was also a NWOBHM band from Mansfield. They formed in 1980, and released two singles, plus participated on a five way split album before they split up. Hades Records released a compilation on vinyl in 2006. This compilation contained all their previously released songs, plus a few more.
End Moraine
Sparta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You made what you will be
Facts are of no concern
They upset your story
The past is what we learn
It upholds your glory
Revisionist history
I want to level this place
Everyone in it can go
The truth will tear this ground
Slowly melted down
Revisionist history
What you're taught
Free to forget
You're supposed to know
Learn on your own
It's exposed, end Moraine
Funnel down, see with your own eyes
Simpe talk, end Moraine
Simple thought
And total loyalty
They'll build armies
In excuse for exploerers
Know with your own eyes
Feel with your own hands
The song "End Moraine" by Sparta is a commentary on the importance of acknowledging history, even when it is uncomfortable or goes against the stories we have been told. The opening line, "This is your history, you made what you will be," emphasizes that our actions in the past shape our present reality. However, the lines "Facts are of no concern, they upset your story" and "Revisionist history" highlight the tendency for people to rewrite history to suit their own narratives.
The chorus, "I want glaciers to scrape, I want to level this place, everyone in it can go," expresses a desire to erase the flawed and problematic history that has been built up in certain places. The line "The truth will tear this ground, slowly melted down," suggests that facing the truth about our past may be uncomfortable or difficult, but it is ultimately necessary for progress.
The song also comments on the importance of individuals taking responsibility for their own education and understanding of history. Lines like "You're supposed to know, learn on your own" and "see with your own eyes, feel with your own hands" encourage self-education and critical thinking rather than simply accepting the sanitized versions of history often presented to us.
Line by Line Meaning
This is your history
This refers to the history of Sparta, which has been made by its people.
You made what you will be
The people of Sparta have shaped their own destiny through their choices and actions.
Facts are of no concern
The truth behind events is not important to the people of Sparta, as they have their own version of history.
They upset your story
Any facts that contradict Sparta's version of history are seen as a threat to their beliefs.
The past is what we learn
Spartans learn from their past, but only through their own version of history.
It upholds your glory
Their version of history is what glorifies the people of Sparta.
Revisionist history
This term describes the practice of retelling history in a way that aligns with a particular ideology or worldview.
I want glaciers to scrape
The artist desires a complete physical and metaphorical reshaping of Sparta and its history.
I want to level this place
The artist wants to dismantle the existing power structures and effectively start anew.
Everyone in it can go
The artist believes that everyone who currently holds power, and embodies Sparta's worldview, needs to leave or be removed.
The truth will tear this ground
The real facts about Sparta's history will bring about its downfall.
Slowly melted down
The fall of Sparta will be gradual and prolonged.
What you're taught
This refers to the education that Sparta's citizens receive.
Free to forget
Despite their education, Sparta's citizens are free to forget or ignore anything that doesn't fit with their beliefs.
You're supposed to know
There are certain aspects of Sparta's history that are expected to be known and understood by its citizens.
Learn on your own
Despite the education provided by Sparta, there is an expectation that citizens will seek out knowledge on their own.
It's exposed, end Moraine
Once the truth is revealed, Sparta's revisionist history will come to an end.
Funnel down, see with your own eyes
It's important to seek out the truth and not rely on what you've been told.
Simpe talk, end Moraine
The singer is emphasizing the need for straightforward and honest communication to end Sparta's revisionist history.
Simple thought
The solution to ending Sparta's history is straightforward and uncomplicated.
And total loyalty
The people of Sparta are known for their unwavering loyalty to their beliefs and traditions.
They'll build armies
The people of Sparta are willing to mobilize and fight for their beliefs.
In excuse for exploerers
The singer believes that Sparta's past was characterized by exploitation and imperialism.
Know with your own eyes
The artist is urging Sparta's citizens to seek out the truth on their own, rather than relying on what they're told.
Feel with your own hands
The people of Sparta need to experience the truth for themselves in order to fully understand and accept it.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JIM WARD, MATTHAEUS GUENTHER MILLER, PABLO HINOJOS, TONY HAJJAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind