ALBUM REVIEW: Strength In Numb333rs – Fever 333

Time flies when you’re having fun. 18 months ago the existence of FEVER 333 was being announced in the parking lot of a donut shop, a year and a half later they’re sitting on one of the most hotly anticipated records of 2019. It’s a position the band are more than justified to be in too – their insane live show is only topped by their vicious, yet profound musical intelligence.

There’s every chance you’ll go into Strength In Numb333rs expecting a 2019 version of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE‘s seminal self-titled record, but that’s not what this is. As opposed to Rage Against The Machine‘s visceral animosity which flowed from every crevice of the record, this album is social commentary with a beating heart. It’s the most distinct sign yet that FEVER 333 are out to carve their own path, and their message is about to spread to the masses.

Beginning with one of the most adrenaline inducing album openers you’ll ever hear, the scream of “There’s a motherfucking fever coming!” in the final seconds of … gives way to the piercing guitar lines of Burn It Down, you feel mentally strapped in for the ride. Strength In Numb333rs has a knack for seamlessly merging the bounce of hip hop with anthemic rock choruses. It makes for some shrewd changes of pace, all while telling a compelling story. The one two of Prey For Me and One Of Us is relentless with its spitfire attack of rap dynamism and gargantuan choruses. Produced with a fine tooth comb, the drums of Aric Improta are as punishing as they are flamboyant.

Of course, vocalist Jason Aalon Butler is the maverick pulling the strings throughout this record. His dazzling vocal range somehow reaches new levels of dexterity on this album. His boisterous demeanour on Out Of Control could cut through stone, while Inglewood and Am I Here? are succinct, moving tales of loss and acceptance. By this point you’re probably aware of his vocal talent, but this is arguably the best work Butler has put in to date, and if you were aware of LETLIVE., you’ll know that’s quite some praise.

For the most part though, this is a rap/rock album that never makes a fool of itself. It’s the large scale blend between the genre’s that we seem to have been waiting an age for. Tracks like Coup De’Talk could get over with fans of A$AP ROCKY as easily as it could with lovers of BLACK PEAKS. It’s not just about the musicality either, there’s a breathtaking level of excitement to what FEVER 333 bring to the table; it’s unabashed in its political stance, and it’s just the right level of ornate to make you believe in their mission statement without sounding controversial for the sake of it.

Perhaps the biggest compliment you could pay Strength In Numb333rs is that whether you believe politics should play a part in music is irrelevant, this is a record that possesses musical depth to a level you’ll struggle to find in most other places. With all that said, this still feels like a prelude to the finished article, and that’s the most exciting aspect of this album. FEVER 333 have well and truly arrived with one of the most vibrant, exciting albums you’ll have heard in quite some time, make no mistake about it: there’s a fever coming.

Rating: 8/10

Strength In Numb333rs is set for release January 18th via 333 Wreckords Crew/Roadrunner Records.

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