Sepultura - Roots (1996)

 

 Roots is the sixth studio album by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura. It was released in Europe on February 20, 1996 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.

 Roots is the product of a concerted effort on the band's part to embrace its Brazilian heritage. On many levels, the album reflects Sepultura's heightened focus on the music, culture, and politics of their native country. The overarching concept for the album was inspired by the film At Play in the Fields of the Lord (particularly the scene in which Tom Berenger's character parachutes onto a tribe). The movie inspired Max Cavalera to want to record with an indigenous Brazilian tribe. After convincing Roadrunner Records to support the project, Cavalera contacted Angela Pappiani, at the time the communications coordinator for Brazil's Núcleo de Cultura Indígena (Indigenous Culture Center). Nearly one year after Cavalera's initial contact with Roadrunner, Pappiani arranged for a small party including band, herself, Robinson, and then-manager Gloria Cavalera to travel to Mato Grosso, Brazil to visit the Xavante tribe and record with them. At the time, the members of Sepultura were only peripherally aware of the indigenous tribes residing in Brazil's interior.

 

 

-Tracklist:

1.     Roots Bloody Roots     03:32
2.     Attitude     04:15
3.     Cut-Throat     02:44
4.     Ratamahatta     04:30
5.     Breed Apart     04:00
6.     Straighthate     05:21
7.     Spit     02:45
8.     Lookaway     05:25
9.     Dusted     04:03
10.     Born Stubborn     04:07
11.     Jasco     01:57       instrumental
12.     Itsári     04:48       Instrumental
13.     Ambush     04:39
14.     Endangered Species     05:19
15.     Dictatorshit     01:26
16.     Canyon Jam     13:15       instrumental

01:12:06

-Lineup:

  • Max Cavalera : Vocals, Guitars (rhythm), Guitars (acoustic) (track 12), Berimbau (tracks 2, 5), Lyrics (tracks 1-3, 5-7, 10, 13-15)
• Paulo Jr. : Bass, Timbau (track 12)
• Igor Cavalera : Drums, Percussion (tracks 2, 5, 10), Timbau (tracks 12, 13), Djembe (track 9)
• Andreas Kisser : Guitars (lead), Guitars (acoustic) (tracks 11, 12), Sitar (track 13), Vocals (backing) (tracks 6, 9, 13), Lyrics (tracks 5, 9), Songwriting (track 11)

 

 

 

 

 Label: Roadrunner Records. RR 8900-2

The cover artwork is based on an illustration taken from a 1990 Brazilian 1000 Cruzeiro bill.

"Itsári" means "roots" in the Xavante language. The chant included in this track is the "Datsi Wawere" healing ceremony chant.

On the promo edition of this album, the song "Jasco" is named "Leaf".

The song "Straighthate (Zardonic remix)" (06:25) was officially released only on Zardonic - Metal Up Your Bass (2007).
"Straighthate (Zardonic remix) [2012 Revamp]" (06:40) was officially released on Zardonic - Metal Up Your Bass II (2012).

Co-produced by Sepultura.
Recorded at Indigo Ranch, Malibu, CA.
Mixed at Soundtrack Studios, New York, NY.

"Itsári" recorded live in the "Aldeia Pimentel Barbosa", home of the Xavantes tribe, located in Mato Grosso, Brazil, on 5 November 1995.