While still including the hardcore punk influenced sound that featured on Chaos A.D, Roots also incorporated a slower, detuned Korn influenced sound. (Ironically, Korn attributed part of their sound to their admiration of the slow sections in earlier Sepultura songs). Jonathan Davis of Korn also provided vocals on the song "Lookaway".
However, the most important innovation in Roots was the experiments fusing thrash metal with the music of Brazil's indigenous peoples. The band incorporated these elements into almost all songs in the album, and one of them ("Itsari") was actually recorded with the members of the Xavantes tribe at their ancestral home in Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Roots was a very influential album on the sound of nu metal bands who came later. Along with Jonathan Davis, Mike Patton of Faith No More and DJ Lethal, later of Limp Bizkit, also contributed to "Lookaway".
The lyrics to "Attitude" were co-written by Dana Wells, Max Cavalera's step son, whose death (in part) lead to the events which caused Max to leave the band. Dana also came up with the concept for the video for the song, featuring the Gracie family.
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2 Singles 3 Chart position 4 Personnel |
Track listing
Singles
"Ratamahatta" was released in 1996 with "War" (Bob Marley), "Slave New World (Live)", "Amen / Inner Self (Live)"
"Attitude" was released in 1996 with "Lookaway (Master Vibe Mix)" and "Mine" and on CD Digipack with "Kaiowas (Tribal Jam)", "Clenched Fist (Live)", "Biotech Is Godzilla (Live)"
Chart position
1996 Roots The Billboard 200 No. 27
Personnel