Root - The Temple in the Underworld

If anything the Czech Republic is a bit unconventional when it comes to music. Look no further than the following video to help illustrate my point.

Now it's anybody's guess as to just what the fuck that was. As an American, I have to admit I'm a bit clueless as to the culture of the Czech Republic, but I think I've established this much... YOU NEED TO BE AT LEAST 50 YEARS OLD TO RECORD AN ALBUM IN THAT COUNTRY.

I swear, the last time I saw pictures of Master's Hammer they looked like they could have caught the "Early Bird Special" at Denney's. They could probably save a spot at the table for Root's vocalist Big Boss (no relation to Ross the Boss) along with the geriatric pop stars in aforementioned video.

Enough about the strange culture that I find confusing as a Yank... The music on Root's third full length album is something that's hard to pigeonhole. It's hard to find anything to compare it to really. I guess I would say it's not so much black metal as it is epic black rock and roll. Not that there aren't some catchy metal riffs to be found here, because there are. It just so happens that the music varies so much throughout the disk. Root is a band that never really got their due, not to the extent Master's Hammer did. Could be in large part that they were on more obscure record labels but there is real quality to be found with this band. The recording for The Temple in the Underworld is shockingly clean. There are harmonious acoustic guitar pieces and clean vocals scattered throughout but ultimately the album as a whole comes off as dark and gloomy. For any fan of black, dark metal or doom, it's recommended you at least check this band out if you haven't already.

evil