Roots Songs Ranked

Roots is the sixth studio album by Brazilian 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. Since its release, Roots has sold over two million copies worldwide. Here are all of Roots’ songs ranked.

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10. Canyon Jam

“This is a hidden bonus track at the end of the album. The scare quotes for the run time indicate that you get a few seconds of silence before the track starts. Mostly an instrumental…of the percussional variety. Starts off with crickets chirping.”

9. Spit

“Intro also brings to mind Jimi Hendrix…”Voodoo child (slight return)” in this case, re feedback. Very deep bass. Staticky vocals at times, but, again, I think this is an intentional effect. You can hear faint backing vocals at times.”

7. Breed Apart

“Different drum textures, including the tight plastic one again (i.e. Tupperware vibe). Track gets staticky, especially towards the end, but this is deliberate, I think. Intro vocals are very creaky. I’ve got a question mark over whether I word the word “rape” in this song…a check of the lyrics confirms that I did.”

See more: Sepultura Albums Ranked

6. Dictatorshit

“Feedback intro, not unlike Midnight Oil’s grunge classic “Read about it”. An intense and high tempo song. Fuzzy guitar. This track’s vibe is a little different to the groove metal of most of the album…it’s quite intense, with pummelling drums and whiny lead guitar.”

See more: Sepultura Songs Ranked

5. Dusted

“Studio chat intro. Heavy fuzz guitar, deep bass, tin drum sound early on. Early on there is also a siren effect on the guitar. Sepultura embracing their heritage, adding in the rhythms and folk instruments of Amazonian tribal natives and, in the process, creating some of the most unique metal of the time.”

4. Cut-Throat

“Staticky, especially at start. Guitar throbs, buzzes and solos too. Another track with a sort of swing to its rhythm. Vocals brought to mind Refused’s “New noise”. Lyrics hard to make out…I thought he was saying “Control”, but he was singing the song’s title.”

3. Ratamahatta

“Men sing in their native language. Could be a Western type melody. Interesting percussion…a bit of a Steve Winhood “Higher love” vibe, as far as that goes. Some Jimi Hendrix like wukkah wukkah sound on the guitar. Sounds like a duet between the band singer and a native Brazilian…both sing a non-English language…which makes the track interesting. The Buddhist type throat singing reappears.”

2. Attitude

“Interesting guitar (?) intro…hasa bit of a mouth harp vibe to it. Heavy, synthy sounding guitar rock again, fuzzy too. Track is a little staticky though. Percussion has various textures to it…tin sheet like early on, a bit Tupperware like later. Early on you get a throaty, Buddhist type chant…or maybe it’s Mongolian or something. “

1. Roots Bloody Roots

“Opens with crickets chirping then synthy sounding guitar and bass. Different drum textures…light and woody for the start, with a huge symphonic one at the end. Heavy rock with a medium tempo. Vocals are hardcore…throaty. Maybe this track also sounds to me like a heavy version of a Prodigy song. Lyrics and guitar swings at times.”