TAPROOT: Sc\ssrs (NEO/NU METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Taproot is a band from Michigan that emerged in the mid-90s, riding the wave, or rather tsunami, of the neo metal genre. While the spearheads of the movement were Korn, Deftones, SOAD, Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park, the rise of the genre allowed other bands like Taproot to emerge from the shadows.

Like many bands, neo metal or not, Taproot has taken a career break and comes back 10 years later with an album Stephen Richards prepared on his own. And rather than releasing a solo album, which was the original plan, he has raised Taproot from the ashes to the delight of his fans. Rest assured, the band is not only alive and well, but in great shape.

Let's face it, Taproot is certainly one of the most underrated neo metal bands on the circuit. Indeed, in addition to their mastery of the genre's customs, alternating clear and screamed vocals and offering catchy riffs supported by mid-tempo rhythms, crescendo climbs to bring the tension to its firmament, make it explode and make the listener go berserk, their secret weapon comes above all from the backing vocals, as lead singer Stephen Richards is very fond of vocal harmonies.

This trademark, which makes Taproot instantly recognizable from the very first verse, lends a unique color to the songs that makes them stand out from the crowd. If the resemblance to Deftones is sometimes embarrassing, the choruses free the band from this influence to embrace those of NOFX, Extreme, Queen or even the Beatles. With the exception of 'Love Without You', the album's quiet track on which country singer Audrey Ray even makes a guest appearance, the rest is a concentrated burst of energy that takes neo metal fans back 20 years.

Taproot is also known for the depth of its lyrics, with Stephen Richards himself indicating that a large fringe of his fanbase gravitates towards the band for this reason. That's why he ironizes in 'Favorite Song' about those songs that we happily sing along to without really paying attention to the lyrics. Mea culpa.

"SC\SSRS" is an album that must be listened to, and Taproot is a band that must be discovered if you haven't already. The good thing is that from the very first track 'V\P (V\CT\M \ PL\Y)' you will be fixed. If you like the title, you'll love Taproot. If you don't, don't even go on to the next tracks, that would be masochism. - Official website

TAPROOT

SC\SSRS

AUTRE LABEL

NEO/NU METAL