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.
Sans Cosm
Sparta Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Through a crack in a long division
Can I make a decision, without confusion?
Seemed something, but became nothing at all
What happened to the old and stable?
When the powers that be fail
And heads will roll
Somewhere words don't crater in at all
Currents turn and green lights on my right
These miles hold and infinite time
Long enough to remember
And regret precursors
Ride turning, foundations shaking away
It's a matter of time and distance
And test opinions
That force a change
Someday low notes fade away and go true and stale
Somewhere words don't crater in at all
Do you owe this? I am what you thought you were
Can you pay it? what you've indebted
You're back and forth, you're the lottery
The lyrics of Sparta's song "Sans Cosm" explore the theme of inner conflict, where the persona is experiencing confusion about decision-making. The first verse describes a situation where the persona seems to have finally made a breakthrough, but it turns out to be a false lead. The persona then wonders why the old and stable have disappeared, and when the powers that be fail, then heads roll.
The second verse brings out the idea of the ever-changing nature of life through the metaphorical phrases "currents turn" and "foundations shaking away." The persona acknowledges that it's a matter of time and distance before change happens, and opinions will be tested. The chorus of the song speaks of how things can seem stale and stagnant in some places while newness and growth are happening elsewhere.
The last verse is a reflection of how we can unwittingly become what we despise. It highlights how we can accumulate debts, both physical and emotional, and how choices can be a gamble. Overall, "Sans Cosm" is a thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to reflect on their inner lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Arms open but I've just broken in
I may seem inviting, but I just went through a rough patch
Through a crack in a long division
My issues and struggles were the result of a divided situation
Can I make a decision, without confusion?
I hope to make choices with clarity and without hesitation
Seemed something, but became nothing at all
What appeared to hold purpose, didn't actually amount to anything
What happened to the old and stable?
What happened to the security and reliability we once had?
When the powers that be fail
When those in charge aren't able to uphold their responsibilities
And heads will roll
There will be consequences for those in leadership positions who don't perform
Someday low notes fade away and go true and stale
Sometimes the bad times seem to last forever before they finally fade away
Somewhere words don't crater in at all
In some situations, words don't have the impact they should
Currents turn and green lights on my right
My circumstances are changing and opportunities are available to me
These miles hold and infinite time
The journey ahead seems long and uncertain
Long enough to remember
I'll have enough time to reflect on what has happened
And regret precursors
And feel remorse for the events that led me here
Ride turning, foundations shaking away
Although things are changing, it feels like the ground beneath me is moving
It's a matter of time and distance
It will take time and distance to work through these changes
And test opinions
And force me to question my beliefs and convictions
That force a change
And ultimately lead me to make a change
Do you owe this? I am what you thought you were
Do you take responsibility for your actions? I am the result of your perceptions
Can you pay it? what you've indebted
Can you rectify the wrongs you've committed?
You're back and forth, you're the lottery
You can't seem to make up your mind and you leave things to chance
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JIM WARD, MATTHAEUS GUENTHER MILLER, PABLO HINOJOS, TONY HAJJAR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind