UPDATED: The Internet Gods didn’t want you to see this. Both live clips have been pulled from YouTube.
“Roots Bloody Roots!” That anthemic call has been raging since the song was released as the first single from SEPULTURA’s ROOTS album in 1996. But then, frontman Max Cavalera split from the band and formed SOULFLY, who have been performing “Roots Bloody Roots” as part of their live set since 1997… and SEPULTURA gained a new frontman with the addition of Derrick Green (also in ’97) and have continued playing “Roots Bloody Roots” as part of their live set as well. Both bands have gone through numerous line-up changes since that year (the same year I started dating my now-wife), and while it’s probably happened before, I never thought of this phenomenon until now – SEPULTURA and SOULFLY performing on the bill at the same festival. It happened at Hellfest this past weekend, with SEPULTURA throwing down their “Roots” on Friday, and SOULFLY serving theirs on Saturday. So the question begs, who plays it better? Let’s take a look and listen, then sound off in the comments section below!
SEPULTURA – “Roots Bloody Roots” Live 6/20/14 – Hellfest
{source}{/source}
SOULFLY – “Roots Bloody Roots” Live 6/21/14 – Hellfest
{source}{/source}
WHO PLAYED IT BETTER? THE ROCK FATHER SAYS…
While I have appreciation for both bands and what they’ve accomplished, I have to give it to Max and the SOULFLY crew on this one. Their performance is far more energetic and album-accurate. The tone sounds pretty much dead-on, while the SEPULTURA version seems lower, sloppier, and missing a crispness to it. Max’s voice sounds a bit tired here, but the band nails it pretty well… and I’ve heard both bands do this song many times over.
WHO PLAYED IT BETTER? WHAT DO YOU THINK?
HERE’S WHAT SEPULTURA SOUNDED LIKE LIVE IN ’96
{source}{/source}
