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VISION OF DISORDER
The Cursed Remain Cursed

Candlelight (2012)
Rating: 8/10

Band reunions are very often seen in a very cynical light – accusations of selling out and cashing in are rife whereas if truth be told, the money available to these bands at the end of the day must be insignificant unless said band were of huge popularity the first time round. That leaves the love of the music, and even the need to finish something that was started as being the main motivations behind getting the urge to patch up differences and knock out tunes all over again.

New York’s Vision Of Disorder called it a day back in 2002 after the release of the nu-metal tinged From Bliss To Devastation (2001), with some members forming Bloodsimple. The news of the band’s reformation was greeted ecstatically by their fans, and with the release of their fourth album, The Cursed Remain Cursed, not only have Vision Of Disorder finished what From Bliss To Devastation hinted at, but also incorporate the anger of the critically acclaimed sophomore Imprint (1998).

Never quite sitting comfortably in the “hardcore” pool, their metallic influences had them branded as “metalcore” back in the day, but don’t expect floppy fringes and pointless breakdowns with this record – this is as visceral as they have ever been, and more importantly, more vital as well.

‘Loveless’ opens the whole affair with all the Vision Of Disorder trademarks – Tim Williams’ screaming holler paired with lush sung choruses (while not once sounding whiny at any point – modern bands, take note!) backed by a pummeling rhythm attack that seems to be in a race with jagged riffing to reach the end first. If there was ever a criticism to be leveled at the band it’d be that the riffs are not necessarily huge enough, or memorable enough to make the songs stand out; they don’t make the songs but rather are just an added ingredient to make the songs even tastier.

Of course Tim Williams’ performance here is what allows Vision Of Disorder to stand above their peers, and his use of melody in tracks like ‘Blood Red Sun’ and ‘The Enemy’ shows that what he’s learned in Bloodsimple have elevated the band to another level.

“We’re gonna torch this city and watch it burn!” screams Williams on the album’s closing track and personal highlight ‘Heart & Soul’ with so much anger and conviction that if he were to ever become accused in an arson case then this song would surely be “Exhibit A”.

If you let Vision Of Disorder slip under your radar the first time around, don’t let the same mistake happen twice. They’re not considered hardcore heroes for nothing, and all of the promise they showed on their first three releases have come to fruition here – it’s just a pity it took ten years to realise they still had enough gas in the tank to make it matter. Welcome back boys – let’s hope you’re going to stay around a little longer this time!

Neil Not

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