Sepultura – Roots (1996) | Album Overview, Artwork & Legacy
Roots is the sixth studio album by Brazilian metal band Sepultura, released in 1996. It became one of the band’s most influential and distinctive records, blending aggressive metal with Brazilian musical influences and tribal rhythms. Roots was also the last Sepultura album to feature vocalist and rhythm guitarist Max Cavalera before his departure later that year.
Album Details
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Title: Roots
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Artist: Sepultura
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Release Dates: February 20, 1996 (Europe) / March 12, 1996 (USA)
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Genre: Groove metal, nu metal influences
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Label: Roadrunner Records
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Recorded: October–December 1995 at Indigo Ranch Studios, Malibu, California
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Producer: Ross Robinson and Sepultura
Roots built on the experimental groove of the previous album Chaos A.D. and went further by incorporating indigenous Brazilian music, percussion, chants, and guest musicians into its structure.
Musical Direction & Influence
Roots blends heavy metal with rhythms and textures inspired by Brazilian folk and tribal music:
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Tribal percussion and chants feature prominently on tracks like Roots Bloody Roots and Itsári.
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The album includes collaborations with members of the Xavante tribe, which contributed authentic tribal elements and chants.
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Guest musicians such as Carlinhos Brown, Mike Patton (Faith No More), Jonathan Davis (Korn) and DJ Lethal appear on various tracks.
This fusion of styles expanded the sonic vocabulary of metal and influenced the emerging nu metal scene of the late 1990s.
Key Tracks
Some standout tracks from the album include:
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“Roots Bloody Roots” – Heavy, anthemic opener and one of the band’s most iconic songs.
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“Ratamahatta” – Features Brazilian percussion and guest artists, showcasing the tribal influence.
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“Attitude”, “Cut‑Throat”, “Breed Apart” – Heavy, groove‑centred riffs and aggressive rhythms.
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“Lookaway” – Notable for featuring Jonathan Davis, Mike Patton and DJ Lethal.
The album blends metallic force with rhythmic diversity and cultural expression.
Track Listing (Original)
Typical original track list includes:
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Roots Bloody Roots
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Attitude
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Cut‑Throat
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Ratamahatta
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Breed Apart
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Straighthate
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Spit
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Lookaway
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Dusted
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Born Stubborn
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Jasco
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Itsári
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Ambush
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Endangered Species
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Dictatorshit
(Some editions include bonus tracks and extended versions.)
Cover Art – Accurate Description
The Roots album cover is directly tied to the album’s theme of cultural roots and identity:
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It features the portrait of an Indigenous Brazilian man with distinctive facial tattoos and traditional bead necklaces.
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This portrait is based on an illustration taken from a discontinued Brazilian banknote (the old 1000 Cruzeiro note), integrating national cultural imagery.
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On the album packaging, artist Michael Whelan modified the original illustration by adding Sepultura’s stylized “S” logo and visual elements resembling roots and earthy tones, reflecting the album title and themes.
The cover art visually reflects the band’s immersion in Brazilian heritage, indigenous identity, and the “roots” concept — matching the cultural and musical explorations found within the album.
Legacy & Impact
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Roots is widely regarded as a landmark in metal for its fusion of heavy music with traditional cultural rhythms.
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The album has been cited as influential to the emerging nu metal genre of the late 1990s.
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It reportedly sold over 2 million copies worldwide, making it one of Sepultura’s biggest commercial successes.
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Roots Bloody Roots became one of the band’s signature songs and a staple in live shows.
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Roots also ushered Sepultura into mainstream recognition beyond the strict thrash scene.
Fun Facts
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The song Itsári features a live chant recorded with the Xavante tribe in their native village in Brazil, adding real tribal participation to the album.
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Lookaway includes guest appearances from several prominent artists across genres, bridging metal with broader musical movements.
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Roots was the final Sepultura studio album with Max Cavalera, marking the end of the band’s original lineup era.
Trivia
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The choice to base the cover art on an old Brazilian banknote design was meaningful — reinforcing themes of heritage and economic/social identity.
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The heavy tribal percussion and rhythms on the album have been cited as influencing bands that later embraced groove and nu metal styles.
Did You Know?
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The title Roots comes from the Xavante word “Itsári”, which means “roots” in the tribe’s language — tying the album’s name directly to its indigenous influences.
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Roots Bloody Roots became a hit single in Europe and remains one of Sepultura’s most enduring tracks, even outside their country of origin.
