Sepultura's 1996 album Roots took a hard shift away from the band's usual thrash heaviness and into a much more tribal, groove-oriented sound. The record has been divisive ever since its release, though ex-Sepultura guitarist and vocalist Max Cavalera remembers the record fondly.
In an interview with Blunt, Cavalera said the album was controversial but courageous. He also cites Gojira's most recent single "Amazonia" as one that was clearly influenced by the album.
"It’s good that it’s still appreciated to this day. I think Roots was controversial, a lot of people loved it and a lot of people hated it. One of those divisive records. I like that about it, that it was not going to please everybody. It’s going to piss off some people.
"I think Roots is a courageous record with some really cool stuff in it. The tribal stuff, and going to record with the Xavante, it’s stuff that’s influenced even the new bands like Gojira. [Their track] ‘Amazonia’, that’s totally influenced by Roots. It’s cool to see bands being influenced by that, people showing respect to the record.
"I think the record’s aged very well. It’s one of those records that just sounds great when you put it on right now. It’s not where I am musically; I’m more into stuff like Go Ahead And Die at the moment. But I am proud of it."
If you're unfamiliar, Go Ahead And Die is the new band featuring Max, guitarist and bassist Igor Amadeus Cavalera, and drummer Zach Coleman (Khemmis, Black Curse). You can check out their latest single "Roadkill" here.
