Five stars, The Root of All Evil.
I probably have a bit of newbie bias with this one as it was the first album where I was there for the entire release cycle. Even so, I am incredibly bloody fond of it. It was probably the right album at the right time - but it was the right album.
I love the diversity of it, I love how each track sounds very distinct, I love how unlike their previous stuff it (generally) was. The octave gimmick is very neat, I have such good memories of my first gig on the 20th Anniversary Tour.
Like the self-titled album, I really love how the focus is on songwriting rather than instrumental acrobatics - and then when you finally do reach the title track it feels like a huge release. The other tracks, too - I love how moody Sacrificed Sons is and the way it just explodes, I love the unison in the middle of Never Enough (and that drumming!), it’s all superb.
My one issue with it, and I’ve had this issue for years, is that I just can’t hear it as new any more. I know every single note backwards, and it’s a bit like when you chew gum for so long you can’t taste it. I never listen to it nowadays. But I do think it’s phenomenal.