Root – על שדים אפלים מצ'כיה

Legendary Czech band Root is one of few bands that are very hard to paint into one specific metal genre, they are often described as a black metal band, other times as dark metal, symphonic metal – the list goes on. In any case, this veteran underground outfit has been releasing a steady stream of classic albums since 1987, with their main symbol of recognition being vocalist and lyricist Jiro "Big Boss" Walter and his deep baritone voice. The band's latest album Daemon Viam Invenient was released last year, and it just announced that Sweden's I Hate Records will be releasing some of the band's legandry past albums, so we thought it was a good time to talk with the band's bassist, Igor Hubik.

Hey Igor, thanks for doing this interview! I'd like to start out with what I understand is Root's 20th anniversary, what is the band planning to do to celebrate the occasion?

We invited some related bands to our home town´s greatest club Fleda. There appeared over five hundred maniax at the venue and we played out some rare songs with previous members, changed our instruments during some trax – Big Boss on bass, me on drums… We made special t-shirts and, of course, drank up everything that there was available. Really amazing night!

How long have you been in the band, and how would you describe your time with it?

I have been with the band about nine years now and I can describe that like one great party. I enjoy all shows, record sessions, travelling, parties… Root´s a really special group of insane individuals and that may be what I always looked for.

I want to ask about your latest release, "Daemon Viam Invenient". First, what does the title mean?

It is in Latin and means “Demon will always find the Way” in English. Once upon a time this planet belonged to Demons. They gave it to people because they believed that people will take care of it and develop the planet. But the negation happened, people destroyed the planet. They destroyed the planet and acted like this planet would belong to them. So the Demons took the planet back.

I understand the album is quite experimental, how would you describe its music?

We´ve read many reviews already and we are little bit confused and inspired by these articles (so I have no idea how to call a music style on this album now). Yes, it is a metal album anyway but there are so many influences of different music. There are guitar solos, fast, slow rhytms, both catchy and really dark, depressive melodies… For the first time, I sing much more often with Big Boss who also used different voices on that album – opera voice, screamed voice, breathing, whispering…

Some people have difficulties understanding what kind of metal genre do you guys play, how would you describe it?

And many of them love it, just as we do! It´s boring to create still the same kind of art. Root was always about development, the progress. Yes, we try to keep that dark, metal concept but it depends on lyrics always. When you read lyrix along with the listening to the new album, you must understand it, as well as with previous albums or single songs. Each Root album is different – music but also lyrics, sound and cover art work. Sometimes the record company too.

Before that you've released a Mini-CD that contained cover songs. Why an EP, and why did you choose to cover the songs you did?

When the guitarist Blackie left the band so there existed some plans already and we wanted to finish them. The first idea was that double DVD "Deep In Root" which was produced mainly by Blackie and although he was not in the band anymore, he worked on it and it was released. We found the new guitarist and before we started to write new stuff so we decided to do something special and new in Root´s career. And it´s this mini CD "Casilda". Big Boss and Ashok always wanned to do these classic covers and because Root planned to make also "Casilda´s Song" with string orchestra since the beginning of nineties, we did it finally and recorded it. We just made and released double DVD and EP between full length albums – after "Madness of the Graves" and before "Daemon Viam Invenient".

The cover to "Strawberry Fields Forever" contains additional vocals apart from Big Boss's, who is that singing?

It's our friend and fan, and mainly really good singer Martin Kajzar. This duet is fantastic and there are not such common vocal parts in the original from The Beatles. That´s we wanted to do – cover versions in our own way.

Why do you think a band as good, and as experienced as yours is relatively unknown in the mainstream metal scene?

Who knows. Maybe the major media is scared. Are you surprised?

Back in time, can you tell us how did the band start out?

The band was founded by Big Boss and Blackie in 1987. You can read Root´s history on our web site. And if you want have fun, look at "Deep In Root" double DVD. There are many old and rare shoots from eighties, nineties and the new millenium too.

I remember reading that Big Boss's father was a professor that helped with the band's lyrics? Is it true? How deep was his influence on the band?

He was a professor at music university and you can hear his art on "The Book" album. He is pianist and very old man now.

Big Boss's vocals are one of the most unique in metal music, how and why did he go for such larger than life, operatic vocals, rather than more conventional ones mostly used in metal?

He probably develops with the band, new records and experiences. His voice represents Root and you can immediately identify the band with it. It comes with music and lyrics. It depends on single parts and that´s why he uses operatic vocals, murmur or whatever. That´s also why other bands ask him as the guest for their albums – Moonspell, Helheim, Behemoth etc.

Did the fact the band is Czech get in the way of its career in any way, is there an active metal scene in there?

Yes, of course. There´s active huge scene over here. We still play shows in venues or open airs, do interviews, sell our records, meet fans and friends from other bands… This is a heart of Europe man, prospering civilization, not a jungle.

Big Boss is not a young kid anymore, what do you think his age and experience contribute to the band?

I think so. He´s still quarter-century ahead of us 🙂

Big Boss's appearance is also quite dramatic, and he comes off as scary sometimes, does his real persona resemble his outer one?

The Devil himself! What do you need hear more?

What kind of live shows did the band do in the last few years? What are planned for it?

Well, Root visited all Scandinavian countries for example and we know there are many fans of our band. We toured mainly last year when Root was a part of No Mercy Festivals along with Moonspell, Napalm Death, Behemoth and Dew Scented. This tour hit Germany, France, UK, Belgium, Holland, Denmark… We enjoyed also autumnal shows – Norway, Finland and, of course, Halloween Party with Moonspell in Lisboa. Huge show was at Brutal Assault Open Air in Czech Republic where we used great pyro show. We still play shows and travel, it´s neverending story, you know.

Finally, any last message for the Root fans reading this?

Seems that each interview ends with this "question". So let´s do it by this way: we await your messages!