Fever

The German city of Bremen was once known for producing the heaviest and most explosive metal/hardcore hybrids ever. The likes of Acme, Carol, Mörser and Systral were the perfect combination of extreme metal and extreme hardcore. Nothing could match these bands in their prime. Of those 'big four' Bremen bands, Acme were the best, Mörser the most extreme, Carol the most obscure and cult, but Systral epitomised the sound. Chronologically, they appeared after Acme and before Mörser. The drummer had previously played (bass) in Acme, and both vocalists would appear in Mörser. Notably, the band also featured Dirk Kusche on bass, whose recording studio (Kuschelrock) gave all the Bremen bands their demolition-grade heaviness.

Systral often get compared to Acme. Both bands were nauseatingly extreme and metallic, and both were inspired by the second Rorschach album ("Protestant"). There were plenty of differences between the two bands though. Systral never used Slayer riffs, and were much more indebted to grindcore. A record like "Fever" isn't full-on grindcore like Mörser's "Two Hours to Doom" but it has many grindcore elements; brief songs, blasting, high/low vocals and the dirty Napalm Death bass sound. Systral were also distinguishable by the 'emo' influence in their sound. This term is often misunderstood in metal circles, but I'm talking about bands like Moss Icon and Swing Kids (i.e., proper emo). Systral is a swampy concoction of grindcore, old emo, Rorschach, Acme and Neurosis. What more could you want?

Still, it took me a long time to appreciate "Fever". This is a dark, monstrous record, full of distorted octave chords, ultra-low growls and harsh screaming. It also has a spontaneous, carefree attitude which informs the emotional catharsis. There is beauty amid the overwhelming ugliness. This record is heavier and more extreme than most death metal bands, but Systral have a frail, introspective side. “Fever” is best experienced as a whole because the individual songs blend and bend into one another. The exception is the pièce de résistance; the sublime cover of Kylie Minogue's "Confide in Me". This is the best ever example of an extreme metal/hardcore band covering a pop song. It builds on the darkness and catchiness of the original (a fine song in its own right), then adds layers and layers of heaviness. It's amazing.

"Fever" is an obscure metal record but it was surprisingly influential for the hardcore scene. The most notable band inspired by Systral was Orchid, who themselves influenced many others in the ‘screamo’ genre. I prefer Systral to any of those later bands. The original Bremen sound was heavier, more metal and less self-conscious. This album is also the highlight of the Systral discography. The band would move in an Entombed-ish death n’ roll direction on their next record ("Black Smoker"). "Fever" is essential for anyone exploring the mind-blowing awesomeness of Bremen hardcore. Systral weren’t quite as good as Acme, but they were the next best thing.