Root began performing with the
thrash metal band Atomic Opera from Iowa in the early 1990s (not to be confused with the
hard rock band of the same name from Texas). Soon after they split up, he went on to perform in bands such as DeadFront and Stone Sour; he joined the latter in 1995, and returned to it along with vocalist
Corey Taylor during its revival in 2002. Prior to joining Slipknot, he worked as a screenprinter, waiter, and busboy. He joined Slipknot in January 1999, replacing their original guitarist, Josh Brainard, who left the band during the recording of their
self-titled album, reportedly after having fulfilled his recording duties. He was approached by Shawn Crahan, Joey Jordison, and producer Ross Robinson to join, which he initially rejected but after speaking to a friend asking him to reconsider, Root called Crahan back asking if the offer was still on the table. The only songs Root recorded for during the album's sessions were for "Me Inside", which was already mostly completed in the earlier sessions, and a new song titled "
Purity." Despite this, "Purity" has become a staple for most of the band's live performances. Although originally filling in the spot of rhythm guitar in 1999, Root would later become the co-lead guitarist and, after the death of bassist
Paul Gray and removal of drummer
Joey Jordison, he became one of the band's main songwriters. Of Slipknot's nine member lineup which lasted between 1999 and 2010, Root was the last to join the band. Root typically performed lead guitar in Stone Sour, although he sometimes played rhythm. He has spoken of both bands' guitar style as being twin guitar: "In both bands, I fulfill both roles. In Slipknot, Mick [Thomson] has some solos, and in Stone Sour, Josh [Rand] has some solos." During the recording of Stone Sour's
Audio Secrecy, he and Rand recorded their parts simultaneously. Outside Slipknot and Stone Sour, Root has appeared on Slipknot
turntablist Sid Wilson's DJ Starscream album
The New Leader and
John 5's
The Devil Knows My Name, for the song "Black Widow of La Porte", and also appeared on the
Roadrunner United project, performing the solo and harmony guitars on "Tired 'N Lonely" from the project's album
The All-Star Sessions. He also appeared on
Jonathan Davis and the SFA's cover of
Lil Wayne's "
Got Money". On May 17, 2014, Stone Sour released an official statement saying that Root was no longer a member of the band. Moments before their statement, Root told a fan on Instagram of his departure, explaining "Not my decision. Not happy about it." In interviews, Root accused the band of being financially motivated and pursuing a more commercial musical direction, but also observed that he "wasn't really happy in that band anymore". Corey Taylor noted that the split initially put a strain on his and Root's relationship, which nonetheless was mended through channelling their frustrations into new Slipknot material. For 13 years, Root was involved in a highly publicized relationship with
Cristina Scabbia, the lead singer of Italian gothic metal band
Lacuna Coil. == Equipment ==