The band's sophomore effort, "After We Go", again produced by Wright, was released in February 2004, preceded by the single "Hey Now". Described as heavier than their first record, "After We Go" debuted at #56 on the Billboard 200. Unfortunately, the album did not match the success of their debut, in part due to the poor reception of follow-up singles (the title track "After We Go," and their cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain"). Nevertheless, Tantric soldiered on, touring with Three Doors Down and Shinedown for much of 2004.
In 2005, it was announced that Jesse Vest had left the band to spend time with his family. He was replaced by Bruce LaFrance. For much of that year, Tantric worked on their third record. Some of the songs tracked for the record include "Letting Go", "People", "Worth Waiting For", "Fall Down", "The One", "July", "Locked Out", and "Stay With You". Todd Whitener recorded the bass guitar parts for the album, and also contributed lead vocals to a number of songs.
In January, 2006 Tantric traveled with hard rock group Drowning Pool to Seoul, South Korea to play several shows for U.S. troops currently stationed along the DMZ. Highly appreciative of this, the troops gave members of the band a plaque with actual barbed wire from the 38th parallel barrier.
In March, 2006, Tantric was dropped from Maverick Records, which was collapsing. In 2007, Matt Taul was arrested on drug-related charges, which would further complicate the band's obtaining a new label. Finally, on May 8, 2007, the release of three songs from Tantric III on the band's MySpace was largely overshadowed by Todd Whitener's farewell announcement on the band's website, which cited a feeling of stagnation that caused him to grow tired of the band's struggle to succeed. Ferreira later said in interviews that Whitener, as well as other members of the band had grown frustrated with the band's record label complications. Taul was sent to prison in later months, but has since been released. Bruce LaFrance was replaced.
Hugo Ferreira began searching for a new band, enlisting former Fuel drummer Kevin Miller, Joe Pessia (guitarist Dramagods) through mutual friend Nuno Bettencourt, Erik Leonhardt (bassist), and Marcus Ratzenboeck (electric violin) as new members of the band. Shortly thereafter, Tantric announced their deal with the Silent Majority Group record label, and their new management company, JHMP.
Because Ferreira remained the only original member of Tantric, Tantric III has been shelved for the time being. Ferreira has said the reasoning for this, other than the logical label complications, was he did not want to produce an album under the Tantric name that was partially written by Whitener and Taul. However, in recent interviews, Ferreira's comments increased the likelihood of Tantric III's release. He has stated that although he did not plan to release it in grand style he would have liked to leak it out to the fans as a potential Christmas 2008 gift for their support. With the indefinite shelving of "T3," Ferreira and his new mates recorded 10 new songs, in addition to a totally revamped version of "The One," featuring Kevin Martin of Candlebox, and finally released the band's third album, The End Begins, on April 22, 2008.
On March 9 2009, Tantric announced through MySpace that their new album will be entitled Mind Control and that the band were in the process of recording the album. Produced by Brett Hestla (Creed), they announced a release date of August 4, and it was released in stores, as well as all digital retailers.
Hate Me
Tantric Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I won't offend you and tell you
That I gotta keep moving on
I have this much of time
Tell me again out on a limb
I won't offend you and tell you
That I gotta keep moving on
Keeping it down under the ground
I should have at least
I try to tell ya
When I lost it that I never found it
I lost that in my mind
Take me
I want you to show me the way to find the world
[Chorus]
Hate me now
Cannot find a better side here somehow
Hate me now
Cannot find a better side here somehow
This time
Show me the plan
Beginning to end send it again
And I'm thinking that you better make another friend
I lost you in my life
Take me
I want you to show me the way to find the world
[Chorus: x3]
The first stanza of the song "Hate Me" by Tantric tells the story of a person on a limb, trying to move on and not offend anyone. This can possibly signify the fear of expressing his true emotions because he does not want to hurt anyone in the process of being honest. The line "keeping it down under the ground" implies that the person is repressing their emotions, trying not to let them surface, and it is not working out very well. The next couple of lines are a confessing statement that the person does not have much time left, possibly the thought of trying to fix his past mistakes, relationships or regrets is on his mind.
The chorus of the song "Hate Me" seems to be questioning the self in a way, wishing to have the much-needed change in his life or maybe blaming himself for past failures. It's like the person is calling out for someone to hate him because that would be easier than facing the current pain and indecision. The line "I cannot find a better side here somehow" shows that the person is in a constant struggle with himself, trying to find the courage to move on with life. The mention of "this time" at the end of the chorus shows that this is not the first time the person has felt this way.
In the second stanza, the person is asking for reassurance, possibly from a friend, in finding a better plan and hoping to have more clarity in his life. The line "send it again" shows that the person is giving another chance to his life and himself to get it right this time. The last line of the song is the same as the first line of the chorus, repeating it again questioning, "take me, I want you to show me the way to find the world."
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me again out on a limb
Please repeat yourself, I am in a precarious position.
I won't offend you and tell you
I will avoid hurting your feelings with my words.
That I gotta keep moving on
I must continue to progress forward.
I have this much of time
My time is limited.
Keeping it down under the ground
I am concealing something important.
I should have at least
I regret not doing something.
I try to tell ya
I attempted to explain to you before.
When I lost it that I never found it
I am unable to retrieve something I have lost.
I lost that in my mind
What I have misplaced is inside my own thoughts.
Take me
Lead me in the right direction.
I want you to show me the way to find the world
I desire guidance in discovering a new perspective.
[Chorus] Hate me now
It is acceptable to dislike me presently.
Cannot find a better side here somehow
I am unable to locate an improved outlook in this situation.
This time
In this moment.
Show me the plan
Illuminate the strategy to me.
Beginning to end send it again
Once more, outline the process from start to finish.
And I'm thinking that you better make another friend
I suspect it would be best for you to seek companionship elsewhere.
I lost you in my life
You are no longer a part of my existence.
[Chorus: x3]
It is appropriate to harbor negative feelings toward me at this time.
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HUGO FERREIRA, HUGO FERNANDO DA SILVA FERREIRA, JESSE VEST, JESSE DOUGLAS VEST, MATT TAUL, MATT ALVIN TAUL, TODD WHITENER, TODD ANDREW WHITENER
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