FEVER 333: Strength In Numb333rs (FUSION METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Since the death of Chester Bennington (Linkin Park) and the sleep of Rage Against The Machine despite episodic reformations, rapcore or rap metal feels a little orphaned. Fortunately, bands are there to take over from an ultra-demanding and terribly addictive genre. What could be better than to combine the protest flow of rap vocal lines with the melodic power of metal? Fever 333 is an integral part of these bands that are gaining more and more importance on the metal scene, notably by signing up for Roadrunner right from the start.

The first misdeed of the power trio is called "Strength in Num333ers". Its introduction is totally chaotic with noises of riots, breakage, violence illustrated by the sample of an electronically altered radio report that announces colour. Fever 333 starts with a raw, modern sound, with keyboards that support Stephen Harrison's guitarist fervour in the effective "Burn It". If the sound wall is already high, the group raises the level with 'Animal' which starts relatively loudly and ends in a rhythmic apotheosis.

The tracks are relatively short but this does not prevent the band from trying more developed movements that bring an epic side to its subject. Thus "Prey For Me" from the top of its five minutes alternates several atmospheres, one of which goes deeper towards rapcore than metalcore. It must be said that Jason Aalon Butler's flow is terribly effective and perfectly matches the band's desire to be the voice of the silent majority of Americans. The band is also capable of nuances with a track like 'Inglewood'. Built in two parts, the first vocal lines are close to an Eminem for the best effect in the somewhat jerky verses, which is counterbalanced by a very synthetic aerial chorus with long keyboard notes that bring a certain short-lived serenity. The second movement follows a more violent progression, as if this track was totally schizophrenic with a very hardcore vocals and a more aggressive music.

Far from being a copy of Linkin Park, Fever 333 already shows a beautiful personality by not falling into the ease of ultra pop and easy listening choruses. The band explores more elaborate, less accessible sounds that require several listening sessions to reveal themselves completely. How can we not come out completely drained by the nebulous and saturated meanders of the seven minutes of "Out Of Control"? In the middle of this deluge, the ballad "Am I Here" is very surprising and sounds almost like an imposed exercise that had to be fixed at some point.

In the end, this first album of Fever 333 perfectly fulfils its role as an expression of a damaged, torn America, prey to a feeling of injustice and of which the band is the spokesman. Reventive, vindictive, subversive and nuanced, "Strength In Numb333ers" is, for a first attempt, a clear success. - Official website

FEVER 333

STRENGTH IN NUMB333RS

ROADRUNNER RECORDS

FUSION METAL