Released
1998

Label
Digital Hardcore Recordings

Reviewed by
Mike Ramirez

Contact
Digital Hardcore Recordings
30 Dean Street
London W1V 5AN

Contact
Fever

Visit


Email
Digital Hardcore


Last Edit/Update
03 July, 1999

Fever

Too Bad But True

Track Listing

1. Rubber Cell
2. See You Runnin
3. Got To Be
4. Two Poles
5. Black Around Me
6. The Button
7. Distill Your Brain
8. Fever

     After having one listen to Fever's "Too Bad But True," it is safe to say these Germans like their hip-hop with a bite. "Too Bad But True" is one of DHR's newest releases, or re-releases, and it is surely one that stands out. Any fan of hardcore rap or even digital hardcore artists such as Ice Cube, The Bomb Squad production team, The Arsonists, Bomb 20 and Public Enemy will appreciate what Fever has to offer. While the album is shifted away from DHR's trademark sound, bandmates Din-S.T. and Paul P.M. create their own vision of "digital hardcore."
    Fever basically take the bare elements of hip-hop and runs it through an anti-rhythmic grinder several times, until the final product is createda mesh of electronic noise, rastafarian samples, hardcore rap beats, and more abrasive noise. It sounds threatening at first, but the amazing thing about Fever's creating methods is that the results actually work instead of trying to come off as being "experimental," which most bands use as an excuse today for the lazy scheme.
    At time, Fever's groove can be easily heard in standout tracks such as "See You Runnin, " especially with the Wu-Tang Clan styled beat, the Galaga arcade game samples, and indecipherable vocals that sound reminiscent to Chuck D of Public Enemy fame. The turntable manipulation presented here is nothing new to the scene, but fits perfectly into the mix. "Two Poles" serves as a perfect theme song to a carnival funhouse, and it is the only track on the album that contains published lyrics, whereas every other song mainly uses snippets of vocal tracks.
    A downfall does occur with "Black Around Me," as this track seems merely as filler instead of trying to appear as a proper fitting. There is too much shifting in the track instead of having one main focus. Some listeners might find this interesting and complex, but it left me feeling very annoyed and eager to hit the skip button.
    If you're expecting a formulaic hip-hop or digital hardcore album, then this disc is not for you. However, if you like both of the aforementioned genres, twisted enough to make a corpse cringe, Fever's "Too Bad But True" will most likely be up you alley, or make you at least give a listen or two to form your own opinion. I'm also positive you'll think of the "bite" statement as well.