Vision of Disorder (album)
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Vision of Disorder
| type = Album
| artist = Vision of Disorder
| cover = Visionofdisorder1996.jpg
| alt = A digital illustration of a green drip going upwards. Text "vision of disorder" top center
| released = October 22, 1996
| recorded = June 4 – August 7, 1996
| studio = * B.K. (Saugus){{efn|Vocals}}
- Brown Sound (Gloucester){{efn|Overdubs}}
- Outpost (Stoughton){{efn|Basic tracks}}
| genre = Metalcore
| length = {{Duration|m=39|s=4}}
| label = {{flatlist|
- Supersoul
- Roadrunner
}}
| producer = Jamie Locke
| prev_title = Still
| prev_year = 1995
| next_title = Imprint
| next_year = 1998
}}
Vision of Disorder is the debut studio album by the American metalcore band Vision of Disorder, released on October 22, 1996, through the Roadrunner Records imprint label Supersoul Recordings. The band recorded the album with producer Jamie Locke at various Massachusetts studios between June and August 1996. Vision of Disorder is a metalcore album that combines hardcore and metal influences and features socially conscious lyrics.
Vision of Disorder was well received by critics and went on to sell more than 100,000 copies by 2001, although Vision of Disorder have been critical of it since its release, citing its production and their performances. The band promoted the album through tours with Orange 9MM, Earth Crisis, Madball and Sick of It All, before performing on the inaugural Ozzfest tour in 1997.
== Background and recording ==
Vision of Disorder were formed in 1992. By 1995, the band's lineup consisted of vocalist Tim Williams, guitarists Matt Baumbach and Mike Kennedy, bassist Mike Fleischmann and drummer Brendon Cohen. That year, Vision of Disorder released its debut extended play (EP), Still, and were featured on the New York's Hardest compilation album.{{Cite book |last=Sharpe-Young |first=Garry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uIIf03bGyAAC&pg=PA341 |title=New Wave of American Heavy Metal |date=2005 |publisher=Zonda Books Limited |isbn=9780958268400 |pages=341–342 |chapter=Vision of Disorder |via=Google Books}} After playing a show with Shelter in Pennyslvania, Ray Cappo offered to sign Vision of Disorder as the first band on his new imprint label on Roadrunner Records, Supersoul,{{Cite web |last=Ramirez |first=Carlos |date=2020-10-08 |title=Vision of Disorder: The Story Behind the Making of the Self-Titled Debut Album |url=https://www.noecho.net/features/vision-of-disorder-first-album-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027091842/https://www.noecho.net/features/vision-of-disorder-first-album-interview |archive-date=2020-10-27 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=No Echo |language=en}} whom they would sign a five-album contract with.{{Cite web |last=wookubus |date=2015-10-27 |title=Vision Of Disorder's Bassist Details The Bands Soured Record Deals With Roadrunner & TVT |url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/10/26/news/vision-of-disorders-bassist-details-the-bands-soured-record-deals-with-roadrunner-tvt/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030005405/https://www.theprp.com/2015/10/26/news/vision-of-disorders-bassist-details-the-bands-soured-record-deals-with-roadrunner-tvt/ |archive-date=2015-10-30 |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=ThePRP |language=en-US}} Vision of Disorder were given the choice to either record their debut album at Legend Studios in Long Island, where they had recorded demos of "Element" and "Ways to Destroy One's Ambition" with producer Bob V., or work with producer Jamie Locke. Fleischmann said the band rejected the former suggestion at the time as "insane", though later believed the album's production would have been better and more relaxed had they done so. The band went with Locke based on his work with Madball, after which they recorded Vision of Disorder at three different studios in Massachusetts between June 4 and August 7, 1996.{{Cite web |last=Popoff |first=Martin |author-link=Martin Popoff |date=February–March 1997 |title=Disorderly Conduct |url=http://vod.com/articles/vod-livewire-02----1997.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000302221909/http://vod.com/articles/vod-livewire-02----1997.html |archive-date=2000-03-02 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=LiveWire |via=vod.com}} The band recorded basic tracks at the Outpost in Stoughton, overdubs at Brown Sound in Gloucester, and vocals at B.K. Studios—owned by guitarist Bobby Keyes—in Saugus.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Vision of Disorder |year=1996 |type=booklet |publisher=Roadrunner Records/Supersoul Recordings |id=RR-8861-2 |last=Vision of Disorder}} The album was then mixed at Blue Jay Recording Studios in Carlisle.
{{Quote box
| quote = As [the recording of Vision of Disorder went] on we knew it wasn't coming out good.{{nbsp}}... We were in the studio and everyone at the same time just clashed. To be honest any of us could have walked out of the studio, we all wanted to, but it just happened to be [Fleischmann]{{nbsp}}... he had the balls to do it.
| width = 24%
}}
The recording of Vision of Disorder was marred by various difficulties.{{Cite magazine |last=Carlsson |first=Martin |date=August 1998 |title=Scarred for Life |url=http://www.vod.com:80/articles/imprint-metalhammer-interview-8----98.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991010124652/http://www.vod.com:80/articles/imprint-metalhammer-interview-8----98.html |archive-date=1999-10-10 |access-date=2024-12-11 |magazine=Metal Hammer |publisher=Future plc |location=UK |via=vod.com |issn=0955-1190}} The band did not get on with Locke,{{Cite web |date=n.d. |title=Interview Vision of disorder |url=http://www.multimania.com/vacarmes/interviews/VOD.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991108203451/http://www.multimania.com/vacarmes/interviews/VOD.html |archive-date=1999-11-08 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Varcarnes |language=fr}} and lacked enough money for food; their car also broke down. The band ordered new amplifiers prior to recording, which did not arrive on time, delaying the recording of guitars by three days. Williams had problems getting himself in the right headspace to record vocals, and had trouble trying to sing over the new equipment. As he began redoing his parts, Williams was forced to leave the Boston area to get his wisdom teeth removed, which he spent a week recovering from. As Vision of Disorder had overran their time at Brown Sound, he redid his vocal tracks at B.K. According to A&R rep Howie Abrams, Williams struggled to use a studio microphone and ultimately recorded his parts with a handheld microphone. Following its recording, Fleischmann left Vision of Disorder due to personal differences{{Cite web |last=The Postman |date=1998 |title=Vision of Disorder |url=http://members.aol.com/SatansMB/VOD.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000612065823/http://members.aol.com/SatansMB/VOD.html |archive-date=2000-06-12 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Satan's Mail Box}}{{Cite web |last=JW |date=November 1996 |title=vod interview |url=http://www.meltdown43.com/intvod.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990219082357/http://www.meltdown43.com/intvod.htm |archive-date=1999-02-19 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=meltdown43.com}} and returned to school.{{Cite magazine |last=Tsarfin |first=Zena |date=August 1998 |title=Vision of Disorder: Leaving Their Mark |url=http://www.vod.com/articles/imprint-terrorizer-interview-08----98.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991010192304/http://www.vod.com/articles/imprint-terrorizer-interview-08----98.html |archive-date=1999-10-10 |access-date=2024-12-11 |magazine=Terrorizer |publisher=Scantec Publishing Ltd. |pages=38–39 |via=vod.com |issue=57 |issn=1350-6978}} Baumbach attributed his departure to tensions stemming from their unhappiness with the album's production. Williams later said that Fleischmann's departure cast "a huge dark cloud over [the band]. It was like a complete darkness, everything went down."
Composition and lyrics
Vision of Disorder is a metalcore album.{{Cite web |last=D |first=Sergeant |author-link=Finn McKenty |date=2011-04-08 |title=Let's Talk About Vision of Disorder! |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2011/04/08/lets-talk-about-vision-of-disorder/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411045102/https://www.metalsucks.net/2011/04/08/lets-talk-about-vision-of-disorder/ |archive-date=2011-04-11 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}} Hit Parader described it as "groove heavy hardcore metal". The band's members described their sound as "heavy", with Kennedy stating that they considered it hardcore-influenced metal.{{Cite magazine |last=Cecolini |first=Vinny |date=July 1997 |title=Over the Edge |url=https://archive.org/details/hitparadermagazi50unse_43/page/62 |magazine=Hit Parader |publisher=Hit Parader Publications, Inc. |page=63 |via=Internet Archive |issue=394}} Adrian Bromley of Chronicles of Chaos described it as combining hardcore with death metal, whilst Finn McKenty ({{A.k.a}} Seargent D) of MetalSucks said it blended nu metal with {{Nowrap|"Victory}}-style hardcore". Baumbach said that its biggest musical influence was Korn's self-titled debut album (1994), which he felt came through in "Zone Zero" and "Through My Eyes".{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Zach |date=2012-09-13 |title=Decibrity Playlist: Vision Of Disorder |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2012/09/13/decibrity-playlist-vision-of-disorder/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519124812/https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2012/09/13/decibrity-playlist-vision-of-disorder/ |archive-date=May 19, 2023 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=Decibel |language=en-US}} Williams uses sung and screamed vocals and was compared to Pantera vocalist Phil Anselmo. Steve Huey of AllMusic called Williams' lyrics socially conscious, with Bromley likewise stating they comment on life and society. Dean Golemis of the Chicago Tribune described it as "full of rage, protest and introspection".
According to Williams, the album's lyrics are about energy and "venting frustrations about what people collectively choose to believe, government, day to day things, everything from bliss to devastation".{{Cite web |last=Anon. |date=1997 |title=Ozzfest '97 tourbook |url=http://www.vod.com:80/articles/ozzfest-97.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991010224538/http://www.vod.com:80/articles/ozzfest-97.html |archive-date=1999-10-10 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=vod.com}} In an interview with LiveWire, he cited The Doors, Henry Rollins, Jane's Addiction and Madball alongside his own essays and poetry as influences on the album's lyrics. Although he usually had them prepared beforehand, he improvised many lyrics in the studio due to the stress of recording. He wanted the lyrics to "stimulate thought", but not tell people how to be or what to do.{{Cite magazine |last=Rutherford |first=Jerry |date=1998 |title=Vision of Disorder's Hardcore Earthquake |url=https://archive.org/details/juggernaut-1-1998/page/n13/ |magazine=Juggernaut |publisher=Implosion Publishing Inc. |location=Orlando |page=13 |pages= |via=Internet Archive |issue=1 |oclc=858943196}} "Element" is about "getting what you want through dedication". "Through My Eyes" criticizes humanity's dependence on computers.{{Cite magazine |last=Lentz |first=Andrew |date=1997-02-17 |title=Chaos Theory |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Hits/90s/1997/Hits-1997-02-17.pdf |access-date=2025-04-24 |magazine=HITS |page=85 |via=worldradiohistory.com |oclc=15994494 |archive-date=May 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519123710/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Hits/90s/1997/Hits-1997-02-17.pdf |url-status=live }} "Viola" was inspired by serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, whilst "Ways to Destroy One's Ambition" was inspired by the Bosnian genocide and addresses the descruction of knowledge. "Suffer" is about the hostility faced by Generation X from older generations.{{Cite web |last=Nussbaum |first=Ary |date=April 1997 |title=Brash Report - Vision of Disorder |url=http://www.vod.com/articles/vod-metalmaniacs-4----96.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991011021128/http://www.vod.com/articles/vod-metalmaniacs-4----96.html |archive-date=1999-10-11 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Metal Maniacs |via=vod.com}} "Excess" is about drug abuse.
Release and promotion
Vision of Disorder was released in through Supersoul/Roadrunner Records on October 22, 1996.{{Cite web |last=Huey |first=Steve |title=Vision of Disorder - Vision of Disorder |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/vision-of-disorder-mw0000615418 |accessdate=January 24, 2021 |website=AllMusic |publisher=All Media Network |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204111418/https://www.allmusic.com/album/vision-of-disorder-mw0000615418 |url-status=live }} Williams said that the album's cover art was meant to "[represent] a toxic vibe [...] something nuclear." Vision of Disorder initially toured with Madball using a fill-in bassist, whom Williams considered good but a poor fit for the band. The band met Fleischmann and reconciled their differences thereafter, though had to wait for him to drop out of school before he could rejoin. Vision of Disorder attempted a tour with Godflesh with a bassist called Jake, who Williams called "horrendous"; they ultimately dropped off the tour after playing only six dates. By November 1996, Fleischmann had rejoined the band.
From December 12–29, 1996, Vision of Disorder toured with Orange 9MM and Madball. Between January and February 1997, the band toured the east coast of the United States with Earth Crisis.{{Cite web |last=Berenson |first=Andrew |date=1997-03-27 |title=An interview with the coming Crisis |url=https://wc.arizona.edu/papers/90/121/23_1_m.html |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Arizona Daily Wildcat}} The band dropped out of a planned west coast tour with Earth Crisis and Downset in favour of supporting Sick of It All in Europe, in April 1997.{{Cite magazine |date=1997-03-24 |title=Route Book |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Pollstar/90s/97/Pollstar-1997-03-24.pdf |access-date=2024-04-24 |magazine=Pollstar |page=63 |via=worldradiohistory.com}} In May and June 1997, Vision of Disorder performed on the second stage of the inaugural Ozzfest tour with Coal Chamber, Downset, Drain STH, Kyuss, Neurosis and Slo Burn.{{Cite news |last=Metroulas |first=Stephanie |date=June 5, 1997 |title=Back in Black: Ozzy Osbourne Reunites with His Old Group, Black Sabbath, for Ozzfest '97 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |page=GO, 8:3 |id={{Proquest|403697585}}}} The band were almost dropped from Ozzfest twice due to communication issues and lateness, with Williams attributing the latter to problems with their RV and driver. Roadrunner eventually got the band a tour bus halfway through the tour. Thereafter, the band former their own headlining tour with Bloodlet, Day in the Life, One King Down and Fahrenheit 451 and toured Japan for the first time.
Reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1Score = {{Rating|2.5|5}}
| rev2 = Chicago Tribune
| rev2score = {{Rating|3|4}}{{Cite news |last=Golemis |first=Dean |date=January 24, 1997 |title=Vision of Disorder - Vision of Disorder |work=Chicago Tribune |page=F43 |id={{ProQuest|2278515789}}}}
| rev3 = Chronicles of Chaos
| rev3score = 9/10{{Cite web |last=Bromley |first=Adrian |date=January 2, 1997 |title=CoC : Vision of Disorder - Vision of Disorder : Review |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles.aspx?id=2-327 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Chronicles of Chaos |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123192411/http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles.aspx?id=2-327 |url-status=live }}
| rev4 = Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal
| rev4score = 7/10{{cite book |last=Popoff |first=Martin |author-link=Martin Popoff |title=The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal |volume=3: The Nineties |publisher=Collector's Guide Publishing |year=2007 |location=Burlington, Ontario, Canada |isbn=978-1-894959-62-9 |page=490}}
| rev5 = Hit Parader
| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite magazine |last=Anon. |date=April 1997 |title=Indie Reviews |url=https://archive.org/details/hitparadermagazi50unse_41/page/74/ |magazine=Hit Parader |publisher=Hit Parader Publications, Inc. |issue=391 |page=75 |via=Internet Archive}}
| rev6 = In Music We Trust
| rev6score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{Cite magazine |last=Follett |first=Todd |date=July–August 1997 |title=Vision of Disorder: Vision of Disorder |url=https://inmusicwetrust.com/articles/01p35.html |access-date=2024-05-31 |issue=1 |magazine=In Music We Trust |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123200626/https://inmusicwetrust.com/articles/01p35.html |url-status=live }}
| rev7 = Rock Hard
| rev7score = 7.5/10{{Cite magazine |last=Mühlmann |first=Wolf-Rüdiger |date=October 22, 1996 |title=Vision Of Disorder |url=https://www.rockhard.de/reviews/vision-of-disorder-vision-of-disorder |access-date=2024-05-31 |magazine=Rock Hard |volume=114 |language=de-DE}}
| noprose = yes
}}
Vision of Disorder was well received by critics.{{Cite AV media notes |title=Vision of Disorder/Imprint |year= |type=booklet |publisher=Dissonance Productions |id=QDISS20251CD |last=Sadler |first=Darren |date=December 2024}} Bromley of Chronicles of Chaos called Vision of Disorder a "loud and truly stunning debut" album, praising Vision of Disorder's "ability [...] to channel emotions into one powerful punch" and Williams' lyrics. Hit Parader likewise highlighted the control the band displayed over their "full throttle power" and meaningful yet intense lyrics. Martin Popoff said the album was "quite good" and highlighted its production and muscular, groove-laden riffs. Todd Follett of In Music We Trust considered it repetitive but not bland on account of its songwriting, whilst Huey of AllMusic highlighted its variety but found Williams' lyrics and performances limited and overworked. Golemis of the Chicago Tribune said that whilst some of the album's songs "simply toot the hackneyed horn of 'life sucks'{{Nbsp}}", he felt it ultimately did not matter in the "hardcore arena" and considered it a "promising debut".
As of August 2001, more than 100,000 copies of Vision of Disorder have been sold.{{Cite journal |last=Condran |first=Ed |date=2001-08-17 |title=A Fresh Start Produces a New Vision |journal=The Record |location=Bergen County, New Jersey |page=14 |id={{Proquest|3192985567}}}} According to Greg Prato of AllMusic, the album is considered Vision of Disorder's best by fans, with "Element," "Through My Eyes" and "D.T.O." becoming "early favorites".{{Cite web |last=Prato |first=Greg |date=n.d. |title=Vision of Disorder/Imprint - Vision of Disorder {{!}} Album |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/vision-of-disorder-imprint-mw0000326562 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130093757/https://www.allmusic.com/album/vision-of-disorder-imprint-mw0000326562 |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=AllMusic}} Eighteen Visions covered "D.T.O." on their eight album 1996 (2021).{{Cite web |last=MetalSucks |date=2021-06-26 |title=Eighteen Visions Debut Vision of Disorder Cover |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2021/06/26/eighteen-visions-debut-vision-of-disorder-cover/ |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}} In 2024, Hatebreed paid tribute to the album through one of their t-shirts.{{Cite web |last=wookubus |date=2024-01-23 |title=Hatebreed's Long Island Residency Shirt Is A Vision To Behold |url=https://www.theprp.com/2024/01/23/news/hatebreeds-long-island-residency-shirt-is-a-vision-to-behold/ |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=Theprp.com |language=en-US}} Vision of Disorder have criticized the album since its release; according to Lorne Behrman of CMJ New Music Monthly, the band "dismissed [it] almost as soon as it came out".{{Cite magazine |last=Behrman |first=Lorne |date=July 2001 |title=Disorderly Conduct |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=dSoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA56 |magazine=CMJ New Music Monthly |pages=56–57 |issue=94 |issn=1074-6978}} In an 1998 interview with Terrorizer, Baumbach referred to it as a "bad, processed record". In an interview Killjoy Circus that year, Williams also said: "We hate it. The material is there. The performance is horrible, and the production is even worse."{{Cite web |last=Anon. |date=1998-09-03 |title=VOD Interview 98 @ Right Up Front |url=http://www.hardcorewebsite.net/~rightupfront/vodint.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020117073225/http://www.hardcorewebsite.net/~rightupfront/vodint.htm |archive-date=2002-01-17 |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Right Up Front/Killjoy Circus |via=hardcorewebsite.com}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| total_length = 39:12
| all_writing = Vision of Disorder
| title1 = Element
| length1 = 3:12
| title2 = Watering Disease
| length2 = 2:34
| title3 = Through My Eyes
| length3 = 3:38
| title4 = Viola
| length4 = 4:18
| title5 = Liberation
| length5 = 3:36
| title6 = Divide
| length6 = 1:50
| title7 = Ways to Destroy One's Ambition
| length7 = 2:52
| title8 = Suffer
| length8 = 2:55
| title9 = Zone Zero
| length9 = 3:58
| title10 = D.T.O.
| length10 = 4:04
| title11 = Excess
| length11 = 3:10
| title12 = Gloom
| length12 = 2:57
}}
Personnel
{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}Vision of Disorder
- Tim Williams - vocals
- Mike Kennedy - guitar
- Matt Baumbach - guitar
- Brendon Cohen - drums
Additional personnel
- Mike Fleischmann - bass{{efn|Fleischmann was not a member of Vision of Disorder at the time of the album's release, though he rejoined the band shortly thereafter.}}
{{col-2}}Production
- Jamie Locke - producer, engineering, mixing
- Chris Gehringer - mastering
- Neal Ward - assistant engineering
- Andy Hollinger - assistant engineering
- Joel Sio Lima - assistant engineering
Artwork
- Modino Graphics - artwork, design
- Roderick Angle - band photo
- Keith Wick - live photos
{{col-end}}
Notes
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- {{Cite web |last=Bromley |first=Adrian |date=November 18, 1996 |title=Expressing the Vision |url=http://www.chroniclesofchaos.com/articles.aspx?id=1-78 |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Chronicles of Chaos}}
External links
- [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kvs_BbUh_JC9KPjoB6fX7b6dlnAEzGgvQ Vision of Disorder] on YouTube (streamed copy where licensed)
{{Vision of Disorder}}
{{Authority control}}