Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 03/12/1996
Listeners intrigued by the rhythmic innovations and Brazilian influences of
Chaos A.D. will be quite pleased by
Sepultura's sprawling, frequently brilliant follow-up. True to its title,
Roots wholeheartedly embraces
Sepultura's native Brazilian rhythms, augmenting their music with
field recordings of the Xavantes Indians, vocalist/percussionist
Carlinhos Brown, and expanded percussion sections. The guitarists create an array of noisy, textural effects, so their technique and riff writing are not as impressive for fans of old-school
thrash, but that's more due to the growing influence of
alternative metal on the band, with
Korn being a particular touchstone (vocalist
Jonathan Davis even guests on one track). The songs sacrifice the tight structure of
Chaos A.D. for extended percussion jams, plus some acoustic instrumental work. At 72 minutes,
Roots inevitably loses focus in spots, but when the music connects (and it does so often), it carries tremendous visceral impact.
Roots consolidates
Sepultura's position as perhaps the most distinctive, original
heavy metal band of the 1990s.
~Steve Huey, All Music Guide
;)
Listen
