Root - Heritage Of Satan
Root is older than some may think judging from the rather groovy sound of their latest album, 'Heritage Of Satan.' Originally a harsher Black Metal band back in the early 80s with their demos, they've grown over the years to a more 'Black n' Roll' style that is highly enjoyable with wide range of vocal abilities that basically blasts bands like Satyricon and Khold out of the water. Drawing on influences like Bathory, expect a large dose of Heavy Metal based riffs within the music amongst all the tremolo picking and a hybrid of snarls and somewhat 'clean' singing. The opening track is an anomaly unto itself with the entire recitation of "Principio" along with the haunted house keyboards, an excellent starting point for what is to come. Of course that all changes with "In Nomine Sathanas" which involves just a very simple chugging of rhythms with the vocals layered and grating as they snarl about. Most of the tracks are bit more lively than this but the plodding drums and gritty tone makes it sound pretty congregational, like the opening prayer at the Church of Satan. "Revenge Of Hell" is a better option to show just how good Roots can do with Black n' Roll. Featuring one of the best riffs ever to land in Black Metal, this track features a mix of grunting and chanting with a few decent solos to boot along with an excellent moment where just the bass and drums keep up the catchy rhythm as it trades between the vocals and the music.
"Darksome Prophet" is where things really start to pick up with the tremolo picking and faster drumming, sounding more and more like typical Black Metal, but even here Roots surprises fans with a bit of 'choral' work from backing vocals while still maintaining a catchy rhythm with some chugging. "Sons Of Satan" is more of Heavy Metal track where there is any actual singing involved, though it sounds more like singing that would be appropriate for a Viking Metal album. The gritty guitar tone helps makes the vocals stand out, but at the same time it makes listeners feel like they are hearing two different things at once rather than a cohesion. And the wild electronic effects in the background doesn't help with the chaos. "His Coming" is a much better orchestrated demonstration of what Roots can do with clean vocals and a highly distorted, slow atmosphere, and there is even some screaming samples included to make the music sound even darker. The closing "Heritage Of Satan" does a good job at taking the first track's quiet, yet dark focus on the vocals with barely any music in the background to open up and then jumps in with a repetitive, yet catchy rhythm before exploding into a solo. It is the pefect conclusion to an epic ride of Black n' Roll. Fans should definitely check this out if they like to rock out to Metal that is diverse and rides a thin line between genres while blending them seamlessly.
"Darksome Prophet" is where things really start to pick up with the tremolo picking and faster drumming, sounding more and more like typical Black Metal, but even here Roots surprises fans with a bit of 'choral' work from backing vocals while still maintaining a catchy rhythm with some chugging. "Sons Of Satan" is more of Heavy Metal track where there is any actual singing involved, though it sounds more like singing that would be appropriate for a Viking Metal album. The gritty guitar tone helps makes the vocals stand out, but at the same time it makes listeners feel like they are hearing two different things at once rather than a cohesion. And the wild electronic effects in the background doesn't help with the chaos. "His Coming" is a much better orchestrated demonstration of what Roots can do with clean vocals and a highly distorted, slow atmosphere, and there is even some screaming samples included to make the music sound even darker. The closing "Heritage Of Satan" does a good job at taking the first track's quiet, yet dark focus on the vocals with barely any music in the background to open up and then jumps in with a repetitive, yet catchy rhythm before exploding into a solo. It is the pefect conclusion to an epic ride of Black n' Roll. Fans should definitely check this out if they like to rock out to Metal that is diverse and rides a thin line between genres while blending them seamlessly.
- Introprincipio
- In Nomine Sathanas
- Legacy Of Ancestors
- Revenge Of Hell
- Darksome Prophet
- Fiery Message
- Sons Of Satan
- His Coming
- Greetings From The Abyss
- Apocalypse
Label: http://www.agoniarecords.com
Reviewer: Colin McNamara
Dec 19, 2011
Dec 19, 2011
Next review:
Laetitia In Holocaust - Rotten Light
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