Introduction
The Welsh Progressive-Metal group Root Zero has just released their first album, “Dark Rainbow,” and we’re here to share our thoughts! Drawing influence from bands like Deftones, Soundgarden, and Katatonia, this six-member group crafts intricate and captivating tracks.
The lineup includes Sasha Bannister (Vocals), Giacomo Fiderio (Vocals/Keyboard), Llyr Williams (Guitar), Wren Wood (Guitar), Rob Edwards (Bass), and Joshua Powell-Gibbs (Drums). Tune in to the album while reading our review and share your impressions with us!
Review
The Good Times Never Last
This piece serves as an intriguing instrumental opener for the album, featuring both haunting and gentle guitar melodies. It’s the kind of atmosphere one might expect in a series like Westworld, thanks to its sci-fi elements and the subtle chirping of crickets in the background.
The music effectively demonstrates a deep sense of melancholy, as a listener I connected with the emotions expressed by the band.
Inner Turmoil
Transitioning from the first track to the second is like a jolt to the senses; with a real shift in the atmosphere. The starting riff layered with an effect that I cant pin down is undeniably fantastic. On this track the vocalists blends their voices, producing a real harmonious moment.
If we zero in further on the vocals, wow, can she sing! There’s an operatic quality that reminds me of Evanescence, while the male vocals bring a powerful punch. This dynamic is brilliantly highlighted by an epic bass and guitar segment and the end result is thoroughly enjoyable.
The soaring vocals above the keyboard are exquisite, but as a listener you can tell there is an undercurrent of tension building in the background… What we ultimately come to is a heavy, brooding riff accompanied by aggressive vocals, which pleasantly surprised me. However, I can’t say the same for the reverb-like effect they employed.
I Drowned In The Desert
The powerful bass and drums that kick off this track create incredible levels of energy. While I enjoy the keyboard and the glorious vocals, I find the peculiar electronic effects layered on top to be quite distracting, to say the least.
There’s nothing quite like a good headbang, and this track delivers just that with guitars that really make you feel it in your soul. It makes me think back to the first time I heard Nightwish and Epica. I do think the bass is a tad too dominant, which slightly takes the shine off the overall brilliance.
The conclusion of this song feels like an epic adventure divided into two parts, both of which I intend to go on repeatedly. However, I can’t help but question why the sound abruptly stops 20 seconds before the track finishes.
Notti D’Inverno
Despite the song’s title, I was surprised to hear vocals in a different language. The harsh vocals on this track are definitely the highlight of the album for me! On the other hand, the guitar-only section I didn’t really enjoy; it felt incomplete until the drums joined in, which added the depth needed.
However, the explosive combination of bass, guitar, and drums towards the end of the track is absolutely ferocious! Personally, I would have omitted the vocals in the last 40 seconds and let the instruments shine instead.
Ignis Fatuus
The song kicks off with a powerful, gritty riff , accompanied by assertive drums. This combination in addition to the guttural aggressive vocals hit hard! However, the clean vocals provide a refreshing contrast. Overall, the vocal arrangement is cleverly balanced, and the harmonies are well executed.
I would have omitted the keyboard from this track as it feels like a layer too many. Overall, this track is like a coin; yet no matter which side it lands on, you’re satisfied. I enjoy the songs conclusion, and I believe this is the best length song so far.
Tumbleweed
I like how this track highlights the drums! Overall, the song is constructed beautifully, with nothing feeling forced. The breakdown is truly worth the wait too! The vocals are phenomenal, featuring some of the finest clean singing on the album, complemented by outstanding harsh vocals.
This is the album’s best chorus it is very catchy! Honestly, they should consider incorporating more of this style with choruses hooking you in. I believe the shift in the second half of the song was unnecessary. It seems like two distinct tracks that, if separated, would work well on their own, but combined, they produce a strange outcome.
Dry
This is the best use of the keyboard so far! It starts with a charming melody, complemented by the clear vocals of the male singer who takes the spotlight for a refreshing shift. However, this moment is short-lived as his vocals vanish, only to return later as screams. Strangely, I find myself wishing for more of the clean vocals instead.
Depression
I must begin by saying that I’m not fond of the electronic drum effect used here… However, if I set that aside, I absolutely love this. It transports me to the image of a person confined in a dark room with no exit. A powerful musical metaphor.
Dark Rainbow
It feels as though I’m transported to an entirely different realm, driven by that bass line! In my opinion the vocals enter a bit prematurely, causing the guitar and drums to be somewhat overshadowed.
Honestly, an 11-minute track is quite a challenge to hold someone’s attention. While I understand the intention behind it, I find the instruments overpowering, making it difficult to fully enjoy the vocals on the chorus. Fortunately, the aggressive vocals add enough intensity to balance this out, which I believe is the highlight of the song. In my view, they should embrace their heavier sound more, but that’s just my take. Ultimately, after 7 minutes, my interest wanes significantly; it feels excessive.
Litha
The gentle guitar melodies at the beginning of this track are something they should explore further, as it offers a unique feel compared to the rest of the album. The vocal delivery over the gritty riff that comes next is truly a standout moment too!
However, before the harsh vocals enter, it was beginning to feel a bit repetitive. I appreciate how this band incorporates dark, moody riffs on both guitar and bass, as they effectively get a message over.
The Infection
The opening of this track feels like drifting on a serene lake, free from any concerns. When the guitar joins in, it adds an element of intrigue, and the bass line is particularly impactful. Overall, this entire track, especially the bass, stands out as a highlight of the album for me.
The lake may have been tranquil at first, but it quickly transforms with an onslaught of riffs and drum beats that flood the senses. The aggressive vocals serve as a perfect counterpoint in this track. While I’m not particularly fond of the keyboard in this piece, it doesn’t detract too much. The conclusion of the song, featuring the violin alongside the beautifully harmonized operatic and harsh vocals, is truly remarkable and provides a powerful finale to the album.
Final Thoughts
This album features some truly outstanding sections of instrumental talent within its songs. While there are parts that don’t connect with me, overall, this debut from the Welsh band shows great promise.
In the future, I would reduce the prominence of the keyboard, or more specifically, allocate specific sections for it instead of treating it as an additional layer, as this leads to an overwhelming sound. The vocals are absolutely incredible, whether they showcase ethereal operatic melodies or intense guttural screams. This band excels at storytelling, but at times, I believe the narrative could be a shorter and less complex.
8/10
All rights to the songs in this review are retained by Root Zero. The images were provided by San PR and taken by Stu Rowles. The album art was provided by San PR.
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