Roots
Sepultura
1996
Album Summary
Roots is the sixth studio album by Brazilian metal band Sepultura. It was released in Europe on February 20, 1996 (1996-02-20) and in the U.S. three weeks later on March 12 by Roadrunner Records. It is the band's last studio album to feature founding member and vocalist/rhythm guitarist Max Cavalera. Following the shift to slower tempos and Latin-tinged rhythms on the album Chaos A.D., Roots delves even further into Brazilian musical textures and features significant contributions from iconic Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown, who guided and arranged the sections throughout the album that feature ensemble percussion playing. Both in sound and overall aesthetic, Roots is also a conscious nod to Brazil's marginalized indigenous population and cultures. The song "Itsári" features a Xavante chant that re-appears on the song "Born Stubborn" and serves as a loose thematic thread for the whole album, which on the whole showcases the band's increased affinity for experimentation and collaboration. "Lookaway" features guest appearances by Korn vocalist Jonathan Davis, then-Korn drummer David Silveria, House of Pain/Limp Bizkit turntablist DJ Lethal, and Faith No More/Mr. Bungle vocalist Mike Patton. Riff-wise, Roots also draws influence from the then-surging nu metal movement, specifically Korn (whose first two albums were also produced by Roots producer Ross Robinson) and Deftones. After leaving the band, Max Cavalera would continue to pursue the nu metal and "world" stylings of Roots with his solo project Soulfly. Since its release, Roots has sold over two million copies worldwide.
WikipediaOk This is so fucking good. Best Metal album yet! Holy Shit so much creativity. And the energy is absolutely off the charts, would love to mosh to these guys.
‘You’re probably gonna think I’m crazy, but I’d like to record a concept record and it’s gonna be recorded with the Brazilian tribes’ - Max
Ah, now we're talking. Compared to other albums here, we'd need a truckload of stars to make this album justice. Damn good stuff
I'm a big Sepultura fan and I listened to this just a few days ago in the car. So not actually going to listen again today... although coincidentally, as I load this project today I'm watching a live video of them from 1996 and tons of Roots material is on it, so eh. Normally I'd rate it in relation to the rest of Sepultura's (Max-era) catalogue and it'd get a 2 or 3; compared to their previous albums it's too long and half the songs have a dumb jam feel to them. When it came out I wasn't surprised it sounded like it did, but I was still disappointed - I knew there was zero chance it'd sound like Arise, but I was hoping it'd be more like Chaos AD than it was. The nu-metal sound was just everywhere, all my favourite bands seemed to be doing the mid-90s in a way I didn't like and I remember hearing Roots and thinking "oh for christ's sake, Sepultura as well?" These days I like it more than I did in 1996 (and the title track has always been A+) but it's still at the bottom end of their catalogue. I gave up on Sepultura after this album, simply because Max left the band and the album after it was just crap. I do have to give Kisser, Paulo and Green a tip of the hat because they've stuck at it for so long since, and their last album is actually really good, but I'm just a Cavalera tragic at heart. Roots was basically end of the line for me. But then again, compared to the absolute SHIT this project throws at me 6 days per week, Roots is a fucking masterpiece. I'm not judging it by other Sepultura albums today; I'm rating in comparison to the same late 60s folk/pop/rock yawnfests I hear over and over every day. And on that scale, Roots gets a 5/5.
There are some interesting things happening rhythmically here and the riffs are pretty heavy and fun, but I just can't cope with the vocals. The older I get the more trouble I have with such abrasion. The gutteral shrieks and howls just turn me off.
Music is pretty good if a little hard for my tastes. The raw guttural screaming that passes for singing is just not to my taste. I have to admit that musically there's some pretty impressive playing. 2.5
A fantastic blend of traditional Brazillian music into groove and nu metal. Even a little death metal influence in there. I haven't listened to this record in a very long time, I forgot how much I loved it.
I've listened to about 70 albums of the 1001. This is my biggest discovery yet. Once I got used to the screaming I was amazed by the guitar work. There's a lot of "the prodigy" vibes. So many great riffs I often wish they would repeat them more often. Then the latin folk mix in Ratamahatta got me convinced fully. I even showed to my wife and kids who also digged it. Not sure we would listen to it as a family but they "got it". Highlight: Bloody Roots, Ratamahatta, Jasi/Itsari, Canyon Jam.
I haven’t heard Sepultura since high school, and I forgot how great they sounded.
4.7 - Wow, I had very low expectations for this (yet another nu metal album?!) but I actually think it's amazingly innovative. Somehow the fusion of indigenous Brazilian beats and instruments, corny and misguided as it may look on paper, actually comes together and provides for some amazing moments. I especially love the instrumentals "Jasco" and "Itsari" that act as a sort of intermission in the middle of the record. Unlike other nu metal records I've listened to, this one is almost absent of the "I-hate-my-stepdad-and-want-to-kill-everything" vibe. Instead, Sepultura takes on headier topics such as civic disobedience ("Ambush" and "Dictatorshit") and ecological decline ("Endangered Species"). The record ends on a high with "Canyon Jam", a drum circle that sounds like it was recorded in the middle of the Amazon under the moonlight.
I love this album, though a lot of that is for nostalgic reasons. They really jumped on the nu-metal bandwagon with this album, but 16 year old me didn't care about that in 1997, I just loved playing this and Chaos AD over and over. In addition to being a gateway metal album from my formative years, Sepultura was also one of those bands that kind of opened my eyes to a wider world beyond the small conservative community I grew up in. To this day, I just love Max Cavalera's voice, and Igor Cavalera varies up his drumming so much that even songs with the simplest riffs end up being some of the most dynamic.
embarrassing I haven't heard it before great start to the next three years :))
All the stars aligned to make this a perfect Monday morning album. Sounds counter intuitive but for some reason it all fell into place perfectly and set me up for a solid week.
Used to listen to this and Chaos AD with some friends in high school. A most unique fusion of musical elements and influences. I dare say one of the most creative and adventurous metal albums of all time. An album that brings the modern and traditional together in a deep and meaningful way.
One of the more unique yet intense metal albums I've heard. Their Brazilian roots are incorporated into the music in such a fun, clever way! It was cool to hear!
This album goes through so many different subtle changes in metal genres. Great Album. Some tracks don't hit as well as others though.
The vocals are so clear in this mix. i think its because the kick drum is so soft on the attack. Roots, Bloody Roots has my attention. Ratamahatta is a real cool groovy. Ambush has some classic hardcore metal gang vocals. I feel like I am obligated to take off a star because of a 12+ minute album closing canyon jam session, though one of the instruments is a gun?
While I’ve never been a fan of Death Metal I have to say I was impressed with the range displayed on this album, no doubt influenced by the many guest musicians who contributed. The Brazilian rhythms really added a unique context. Roots exceeded my expectations.
It's anyways tough for me to get past screaming vocals, but when I was able to, there was some very interesting stuff happening on this album rhythm and instrumentation wise.
Heavy and without the chaotic non-sense nosebleed-causing ruckus of other hardcore/metal bands, "Roots" is that dirty clean type of metal where the growling and screams might actually have an intelligible word here and there. In this reviewer's experience, metal generally was a pre-game music choice or something to encourage aggressive focus. Sepultura's "Roots" fits that bill. Melodic and heavy, the sounds/songs are progressive and orderly, yet when it is time to go a bit harder, so is the listener. While Sepultura certainly does not stand alone in achieving this kind of balance between the chaotic expression of metal and the demanding order of focused aggression, it should stand out that they do it very well.
In my opinion, Roots is not just an album by a mature ensemble, but an avant-garde work whose songs are well thought out. (7/10) FT: Roots Bloody Roots, Ratamahatta
For a genre I don't normally listen to, this slaps. Can deny the talent of the band.
The best Sepultura album. The way it mixes thrash metal with the groove elements is still unparalleled.
Heavy and groovy as fuck with some great touches of Latin music to make it stand out more than your standard nu-metal. It's a bit on the long side but I had a great time with this!
"Roots" is the sixth studio album from Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultra and the last one with vocalist and rhythm guitarist Max Cavalera. I was expecting a lot to hate about this album. Oh, and there is a lot of hate in this album but I actually found quite a bit to like. It figures. Sepultra is classified as both groove and nu metal. I think that's what scared me is that I don't like most nu metal. I heard both but more in the groove metal category which is more tuned-downed guitars, slower tempo and screeching/raspy lyrics (Pantera). This album continues where their album "Chaos AD" left off with slower and more latin tempos and goes further into Brazilian music rhythm and textures. The band actually went into the rainforest to write and record with the indigenous Xavante people which had a major influence to the lyrics and music. The percussion and rhythms are definite highlights in this album. The assault starts with their first single as well, "Roots Bloody Roots." Grinding, nu metal guitar. Great guitar solo and percussion. Angry, angry, angry...about saving culture. The second song and single "Attitude" continues the anger but starts off acoustically. Massive drumming. The later-song guitar is more in the groove metal area which I liked better than the previous song. The third and final single "Ratamatta" has chanting in Portuguese, multiple and tribal-type percussion and appearances by Korn drummer David Silveria and Brazilian singer/musician Carlinhos Brown. No let down on the second half of the album. Both "Born Stubborn" and "Ambush" hit hard with the guitars, percussions and themes of culture and the environment. Maybe the most interesting song on the album is "Itsári" recorded with the Xavante people...huge percussion, tribal chanting and a sitar. There is a lot going on in this album. It is hard and loud, definitely not for everyone. I am not big fan of either nu metal or groove metal but this album especially adding the percussions and added rhythms has to one of if not the best in that category for me.
Heavy, heavy. A lot of screaming haha. I saved a few songs (Roots Bloody Roots, Ratamahatta, Straighthate)
Wow, this certainly shook the cobwebs off this morning! I've heard of Sepultura but never listened to them until now. What a great surprise! Incredible amounts of energy and anger here, but also much more melodic than I expected. I always imagined they were more in the "unintelligible-gutterally-screamed-lyrics" sort of territory. I've only listened as far as Itsári so far, this is another long album from this generator. That seemed a good place to take a break. I'd give an 8/10 so far. Finished the rest of the album, it did not disappoint! Although the 13 minute long meditation style song at the end may have been a bit unnecessary, still a solid 8/10 for me that I will definitely come back to.
I admit that death and thrash metal is a bit of a guilty pleasure. I don't love the screaming but I love the frenetic guitar playing and booming bass lines. So Roots Bloody Roots hooked me in, and the singing made me wonder if I should stay hooked. Another issue with this genre is that it all kind of sounds the same. And I don't just mean this album - yes, some songs sound similar to each other but also to so many other Slipknot, Disturbed, etc. albums. Mixing in some Brazilian / Latin music (and bongos!) gives some songs a different feel, but absent those features it can get monotonous. Ratamahatta was pretty unique actually with its use of Brazilian sounds; didn't always love it, but kudos to the band for doing something different. Conversely, I really liked the mix of thrash and Brazil in Breed Apart, but the final moments with distortion was truly irritating. Loved the music in Straighthate, needed some melody somewhere though. Got kind of monotonous from there for about 5 songs. Jasco and Itsari changed it up with some nice acoustic, almost classical Spanish guitar playing. Showed a bit of chops there. Good album as far as death metal goes, need less screaming though.
This album was very good… once the monster voice metal stopped. Otherwise not.
The mix of thrash with Brazilian instruments is interesting but overall not my thing. Took some points off for the length of the album
Brazilian heavy metal. Loud, aggressive, precise, definitely virtuosic. But despite all their rage, I just don’t feel the music.
Incrível! Ainda mais sabendo que é de uma banda brasileira - e de Minas Gerais! Um estilo que pouco conheço, mas que me agradou bastante. O álbum tem referências indígenas belíssimas (aliás, a última faixa é um deleite). Ouvirei de novo.
This is so fucking sick. Makes me want to bench press a blue whale. Heavy, but not in that annoying "SATAN BLOOD DEATH! MY PARENTS ARE GETTING A DIVORCE" kind of way (Looking at you, Slayer). Mixing the screaming and insane guitars with Brazilian tribal music somehow works incredibly well. Favorite track was either "Ratamahatta", "Endangered Species" or "Roots Bloody Roots". Honorable mention goes to the 13-minute bonus track "Canyon Jam". A 2.76 global rating? Made me think I was going to be listening to Poundland Megadeth or something.
Not Sepultura's best album it's still really great. This gives me hope that their other albums will be on the list of 1001 albums you have to listen to. Roots really show a drift from Sepultura's previous style but manages to keep the aggressiveness. There's some really great songs like Roots Bloody Roots and Cut-throat. The creativeness and the production is impressive.
Goed hard. En dan dat laatste nummer, wat iets apart is, maar toch goed op een of andere manier
Well, I've never really been a fan of the atonal screaming metal vocals. I just don't feel like they add anything to the music. Apart from that, this is a pretty cool album. It has a lot of the elements of nu metal instrumentals without feeling completely shitty and soulless like so much of that music does. The traditional Brazilian influence does a lot for this album in terms of adding substance. It slowly seems to stop being a metal album and becomes a Brazilian folk music album 4/5
Le tengo cariño a este disco, fue un regalo que me hicieron y lo escuché bastante en su momento. Sigue sonando bien la mezcla de Metal y toques étnicos. Desde "Roots Bloody Roots", "Ratamahatta", "Breed Apart", "Born Stubborn", "Jasco" hasta "Itsári" hay un mosaico de guitarras y percusión de otro nivel.
Heavy nu metal from my childhood, enjoyed this, deffo reminded me of being an angst riddled teenager
- Strong concept and sound. - Overstays welcome with somewhat repetitious energy - No musicianship flair in the solos - Pioneering but not quite timeless
Love it! Roots bloody roots! Not my favorite Sepultura album (chaos ad), but still very good with cool tribal influence
Au debut je n'étais vraiment pas certain d'écouter l'album, car je ne feelais pas trop pour du Black / Death Metal mais l'album est bon et après chaque tounes, j'avais envie d'écouter la suivante. Les riffs sont bon et le son de la guit est malade. Juste le chant qui est un peu too much pour moi à la longue. Probalement que je n'écouterai pas les 1h12 de l'album mais c'est une belle experience. 4.10
Adding berimbau and other traditional Brazilian instruments goes a long way towards covering up the faint whiff of nu metal that otherwise might have turned me right off... Fave track - love the swivel eyed mania of "Ratamahatta"! "Roots Bloody Roots" is also a tune...
Auténtico thrash con toques de tribus brasileñas. Cañero, guitarrero y con mucha percusión.
Chaos A.D. et Roots sont les deux plus gros albums de Sepultura. Sur Chaos A.D., une signature commence à apparaître avec un métal plus rhythmique. À l'époque où j'écoutais des bands comme Metallica, Slayer et Pantera, Chaos A.D. avec ses chansons Refuse/Resist et Territory amenaient de la nouveauté dans le genre. Roots, l'album qui a suivi, est selon moi leur album le plus authentique avec une plus grande place aux éléments culturels du groupe. C'est ce qui en fait sa force. On a un son aussi vraiment plus lourd avec le tuning plus grave. L'album est un peu long, mais c'est un classique que j'aime revisiter. Pièces préférées: Roots Bloody Roots, Ratamahatta
I understand the controversy behind this album. Nu metal has always been derided (tbh, including by myself) and this must have seemed like a sellout move for Sepultura. But I’ve always erred on the side who considers this revelatory. I don’t think Max Cavalera was chasing trends, but he genuinely has always been a guy who has had his pulse on the current scene and likes to follow course in his own way. Look at Soulfly’s recent material for an example. When the album embraces their literal roots and adds Brazilian influences, it’s a triumph. But it goes on for way too long- the CD era had to die for a reason. Even as someone who still likes CDs and uses them, I definitely do not miss the desire to fill a disc of material. This would be a good bit better if it was at least a brisk 50 minutes. B-
I had heard this before and it didn't really click, but I enjoyed it more this time. I'd say it is a little long for no good reason, and it would be better if it were like 40 minutes instead of 70.
Damn, how the first five tracks of this one SLAP! The inclusion of Latin American rhythms within some of the most uncompromising metal of those years is just seamless. From "Roots Bloody Roots" to "Breed Apart", not a second is wasted to make this fusion works. Special mention to "Ratamahatta" and its incredible featuring of percussionist Carlinhos Brown. And Ross Robinson did a hell of a job on production (better than Andy Wallace for the former Sepultura classic *Chaos A.D.*). The later inclusion of field recordings of Amazonian tribes is also very nice. Sonically and topically relevant. I just wish that seamless inclusion of Brazilian influences has worked *until the end*. The second part of the album is indeed a little more hit or miss, and loses some of its momentum through its many u-turns (there's still that somewhat atmospheric track with Mike Pattton and Jonathan Davis--but such moments are too far and between). As a result, this record might just be a little too long. So, to put it in a nutshell, *Roots* is based on an awesome concept, one that somehow renews the whole metal genre. But the second half of this album *might* just be a little lacking in terms of sheer execution. That being said, even with those minor shortcomings, it should still be included in a list of 1001 most important albums. If only because there are not many crossover albums like this in the whole metal genre, ones that can bring curious listeners from the outside without alienating its hardcore fanbase. Number of albums left to review or just listen to: 896 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 55 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 27 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more important): 23
Best Song: Ratamahatta. I really like the intense staccato delivery. It pairs well with the metal backing, and isn't something you often see in the genre. Close second to Itsári. Worst Song: Straighthate. I'm not a big fan of when metal artists try to cram this "edgy" lyrical content into their songs as a way to, I don't know, gain credibility? The music is heavy enough to stand on its own without the cheesy lyrics. Overall: Pleasantly surprised by this album. There was a diverse enough set of sounds to keep an album this long interesting (which isn't always the case in metal, where bands can tend to be a little one-note). I think the name "Roots" is fitting, and I most enjoyed the parts of the album where the band took inspiration from traditional/aboriginal Brazilian music. These elements felt really unique, whereas some of the more typical, English-language tracks were a bit boring.
Abso-fucking-lutely. Just a great, strong, heavy album. I am totally in love with the plethora of percussion instruments on this record; the breakdown for "Breed Apart" did NOT need to go that heavy, but I'm glad it did. Praise aside, it's a bit of a long one, and while there are flourishes of texture, it can be a little repetitive at times. Still, phenomenal album. Favorite tracks: "Breed Apart", "Ratamahatta", "Roots Bloody Roots", "Itsari"
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My journey with Brazilian music has really decentered how I think about western music vs. 'world music.' When taken with the history of Brazilian music, 'Roots' actually fits in rather well. It's an album of a primarily western genre (metal) that subverts the genre to serve as the medium to carry a message that elevates their heritage and in this case, the heritage of the indigenous Xavante who feature prominently on this album. The music itself is a great nu-metal, groove-metal, death-metal fusion that never looses its pull. The lyrics celebrate the self, one's roots if you will, and of course remark on the political and social structure of Brazil. The only drawback is the length.
notes - chat pile cover - brazilian band that blends traditional brazilian rhythms and percussion into metal music - metalcore, nu metal elements - a great blend between control and just raw energy - the vocals in particular still sound fantastic fav - roots bloody roots - Classic song - Catchy riffs and vocals while still being super heavy when it needs to be least fav - Endangered species - Some of the weaker lyrics on the album, and the instrumental sounded like a rerun of some stronger songs on the album album definitely couldve been cut down by a couple songs, but still a 4/5
color me impressed! first, sepultura goes *so* hard in every single song--it's hard to imagine them being any more metal than they are. they aren't music to relax to, but damn, it's some good rage music. but the inclusion of their brazilian heritage is what stands out! the combination of the two is absolutely marvelous. there have been previous albums on this list or otherwise that have borrowed (a not so nice word is stolen) musical influences, themes, instruments, styles, etc. from other native cultures. but as far as i can tell, sepultura created this album respectfully with the brazillian indigenous people's encouragement. the influence isn't over the top, but the chants, flutes, forest sounds every so often add to the general ambience. it took me several hours after listening to this album to realize i am reminded of system of a down! that's a wonderful compliment in my world. i'm looking forward to coming back to this album again! 🤘
Great album. Great sound. Great power. Had a lot of fun listening to it.
Interesting one, this. Good, weighty riffs that feel adjacent to nu-metal, but agree with the observation that the sound cleaves closer to an act like Helmet. I really appreciate the attempt to meld sounds from indigenous cultures with heavy metal. It can become a little obtuse, as on 'Canyon Jam' (though I did appreciate its atmosphere) but most of the time it put me in mind of Dr John's debut, which featured all manner of voodoo-inspired whoops and whistles. Who made the better syncretic shamanic album? Dr John, for sure. Can you headbang to 'Gris Gris'? A tough ask. Can you blast the dandruff to Roots? Absolutely
Up there with the best metal albums Iv heard, was close to giving this 5 stars, but it’s just a little on the long side and maybe just too intense for my tastes. But a brilliant album none the less.
Hi ha bandes que saben portar les fronteres d'un génere més enllà, i ho saben fer bé. El thrash metal no és un génere senzill de flexibilitzar, però els brasilenys, després de sublimar-ho amb 'Chaos A.D.', van ser capaços de donar una nova volta de rosca i introduir elements folk a base sobretot de percussió i veus, trobant una nova fita en la seva carrera i al thrash, per segon cop consecuitiu
I was like "This gives me Korn vibes". And to my surprise, the Korn vocalist is featured on this album.
This is not my favourite Sepultura album, but I still think is great. There are some absolute top tier groove metal and latin metal here (even though I think the combination of Brazilian rythms and metal was better executedin Chaos A.D.). Idk why this and so many metal albums are ranked so low tho, are people in this page allergic to metal?
Classic and so influentual, trad percussion plus metal gave us slip knot.
Barely listened around the fringes of these but my memory suggests I am fonder of them than other 90s metal bands. This is banging. Ratamahatta is absolutely ace. As is Born Stubborn. I'd say the Nu-metal songs are less good, but Lookaway is epic. 72 minutes is far too long, so tracks to drop - Straighthate, Dusted maybe? Itsari feels like a natural end point, then there's 4 more, admittedly good, songs. There's no bad tracks, it's just too long. Ah, the last track is 13 minutes of, well, canyon jamming, I guess. Which is great but I'm obviously not listening to it all every time I stick this on. So that takes this down to a tight 59 minutes.
I've never checked out more than the title track before but damn this was great
This is my second album of theirs, and I think I have found a new metal band to listen to! Roots Bloody Roots, and Ratamahatta are my two favorites from this one. Excited to listen to more of their music. \m/
It bangs from start to finish, but it lacks the craft of their peers to be a masterpiece. Close, though
Wow, this is extremely heavy but very listenable. Sepultura seem to take themselves very seriously, which often doesn't mix well with the silliness of heavy metal music. Somehow that make this work as a piece of art. Rating: 4/5 Playlist track: Roots Bloody Roots Date listened: 07/03/23 (generated 26/02/23)
Today I learned that Chaos AD wasn't their first album. This band always excited me as a kid but I didn't really spend too much time with them beyond Refuse/Resist. Still enjoyable.
The last Sep album with the brothers Cavalera. What a run these guys had and one of the best metal bands of all time.
I don't necessarily dislike Death Metal, and it's cool that they are from Brazil. Beyond that, it feels very typical heavy metal, a bit uninspired for me. Then again, I'm not a metalhead so :shrug:.