Root: Kärgeräs - Return from Oblivion (2016)

Root is an odd band.  They can trace their roots back to 1987.  The Czech band is one of the earlier black metal bands and pre-date the Norwegian scene, often called the second wave.  Essentially, they took what Bathory had done before and further refined it.  The music is, for the most part, unabashedly black metal, though with more melodic heavy metal elements.  But what sets Root apart in a big way is the vocals.  Rather than being delivered in the typical raspy shriek common amongst black metal bands, vocalist Big Boss (that's him on the cover) mostly sings in a clean baritone, providing a haunting atmosphere that fits the music surprisingly well.  At times he will still use some sneering growling vocals, but for the most part he uses the clean tone throughout.

This is a concept album.  Not only that, it is a sequel to a concept album that Root released in 1996, titled simply Kärgeräs.  I have not completely figured out what the concept is, and it does not help that I have yet to hear the original, but I will likely explore the lyrical themes as I delve deeper into the album.  One thing done particularly well is that Big Boss uses different vocal styles to portray the different characters in the story. 

The music is incredibly interesting as well.  There are sections where the riffs fly by with incredible speed and precision and the band's early black metal inflections can be plainly heard.  And then there are others where the band manages to sound hauntingly melodic.  The drumming of Paul Dread in particular is amazing as he moves effortlessly from style to style.  But as is always the case for Root (at least on the three albums I have heard and I assume it to be true throughout their history), the vocals of Big Boss is the biggest highlight of the album.  He is an amazing vocalist and is truly underrated in the metal scene. 

The only complaint that I have about this album is that the second half tends to drag a little bit.  It is generally slower and more somber and brooding than the frantic intensity of the first half.  It is also much more emotional.  "Do You Think is it the End?" though perfectly brings closure to the album, slowly fading into nothingness as Big Boss chants the title over and over.

For some reason, Root simply never achieved the same kind of following that other early black metal pioneers like Bathory and Blasphemy did.  This is a very complex and moving album, as all albums by the band have been so far.  I will have to delve deeper into the story on this one and hopefully check out the original.  I need to hear more Root.