"Roots" Album Description:
Sepultura's "Roots" stands as a landmark album in the heavy metal world. Released in 1996, it marked the end of an era for the Brazilian thrash metal band as it was the last album featuring iconic frontman Max Cavalera. But "Roots" transcends a farewell; it's a potent blend of Sepultura's thrash roots with a deep exploration of Brazilian culture.
The album isn't just a genre-bender, it's a genre-shatterer. Thrashing guitars and Cavalera's signature growl lay the foundation, but "Roots" incorporates elements of samba, capoeira, and even tribal chants. This experimentation is evident in tracks like "Rattamahatta," which seamlessly weaves traditional Brazilian instrumentation into the band's aggressive sound.
Sepultura's willingness to embrace their heritage wasn't simply sonic. "Roots" features guest appearances by Brazilian musicians and a choir of tribal singers, further enriching the album's cultural tapestry. This infusion of Brazilian identity proved highly influential, not just in metal, but in the nascent nu metal scene that was about to erupt.
Critically acclaimed, "Roots" landed on various "greatest albums" lists, including Kerrang!'s "100 Records You Must Hear Before Dying" and Rolling Stone Brasil's best Brazilian albums. However, the band's creative evolution coincided with internal tensions, leading to Cavalera's departure shortly after the album's release.
Despite the personal struggles within Sepultura, "Roots" remains a testament to their groundbreaking spirit. It's a powerful album that transcends metal subgenres, urging listeners to explore their own roots while headbanging along the way.
Music Genre:
Thrash Metal |
Album Production Information:
The album: "SEPULTURA - Roots" was produced by:
Ross Robinson, Sepultura
Sound/Recording Engineer(s):
Chuck Johnson, Rob Agnello, Richard Kaplan, Steve Sisco
This album was recorded at:
Indigo Ranch Studios
Mixed at: Soundtrack Studios
Mastered at: Sterling Sound, New York City
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Record Label & Catalognr:
RoadrunneR Records RR 8900-1 |
| Packaging:This album "SEPULTURA - Roots" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by and artwork/photos |
Media Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram |
Year & Country:
1996 Netherlands |
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: SEPULTURA - Roots |
Band-members, Musicians and Performers
- Vocals, Guitar – Max Cavalera
- Max Cavalera – Singer, guitarist (Sepultura)
The voice that turned "Refuse/Resist" into a riot chant, then built a whole second career out of refusing to slow down. Read more... Max Cavalera is the gravel-throated singer and rhythm guitarist who dragged Sepultura from Belo Horizonte basements to the global thrash front line. From 1984 to 1996 I watched him steer the band from raw chaos into the career-defining run of "Beneath the Remains" (1989), "Arise" (1991), "Chaos A.D." (1993) and "Roots" (1996), where his bark and down-tuned churn felt like a protest march with amplifiers. He side-stepped into Nailbomb in 1994-1995, then launched Soulfly in 1997 and has kept digging that riff quarry ever since. Since 2007 he has reunited with Igor in Cavalera Conspiracy, and he still pops up in projects like Killer Be Killed. Subtle? No. Effective? Annoyingly, yes.
- Bass – Paulo Jr.
- Paulo Jr. – Bass guitarist (Sepultura)
Sepultura's longest-serving low-end anchor since 1984, plus side missions with The Unabomber Files (2009-) and Cultura Tres (2019-). Read more... Paulo Jr. is the long-haul bassist of Sepultura, the quiet engine who has kept the low end moving since 1984. I first clocked him as the constant onstage while the band sprinted from Belo Horizonte chaos into world-class thrash; he is widely credited as first appearing on Sepultura records with "Chaos A.D." (1993), after the early years where Andreas Kisser handled many studio bass parts. From 1984 through the farewell-era years, he stayed the anchor beside whoever was holding the mic. Outside the mothership he formed The Unabomber Files (2009-) and, since 2019, has toured and recorded with Cultura Tres. Not flashy, just stubbornly there - like my shelves.
- Drums – Igor Cavalera
- Igor Cavalera – Drummer (Sepultura)
Co-founded Sepultura, then later spelled his name "Iggor" like that fixes anything - and somehow it worked. Read more... Igor Cavalera is the drummer who co-built Sepultura into a global weapon, and he never played like a polite employee. From 1984 to June 2006 I heard him turn thrash into a stampede, then sharpen it on 'Beneath the Remains' (1989) and 'Arise' (1991) before the tribal grind of 'Chaos A.D.' (1993) and 'Roots' (1996). He detoured into Nailbomb in 1994, and after the split he reunited with Max in Cavalera Conspiracy (2007-present). He later showed up with Strife (2012), the noise duo Pet Brick (2018-), and even drummed with Soulwax in 2017, because metal apparently wasn't busy enough. From 2006 he also went by 'Iggor' and moonlit as half of DJ duo Mixhell. The groove is still the same: relentless, stubborn, and loud.
- Guitar – Andreas Kisser
- Andreas Kisser – Lead guitarist, backing vocalist (Sepultura)
Joined Sepultura in 1987 and basically re-tuned their whole future without making a fuss about it. Read more...Andreas Kisser is the lead guitarist who walked into Sepultura in 1987, plugged in, and quietly made the band smarter and sharper without asking anyone's permission. From 1987 to today he's been on every major era: the thrash leap of "Schizophrenia" (1987), the Scott Burns-cut brutality of "Beneath the Remains" (1989) and "Arise" (1991), and beyond. He even fronted Sepultura at Monsters of Rock (Donington) in 1996 when Max had to step away - a promotion you don't get from HR. In 1994 he piled onto Nailbomb's "Point Blank" for extra shrapnel, then spent 1995-1996 trading demos with Jason Newsted and Tom Hunting. Since 2012 he's also swung with De La Tierra, proving riffs speak fluent Spanish too.
- Percussion – Carlinhos Brown
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