Long Island's most successful Hardcore band in history, is lining up a very interesting 2011. Vision Of Disorder recently performed at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square New York, along with Life Of Agony, Biohazard, and Seventh Void. The band brought its uncompromised attitude and did what they do best: get the crowd off their feet and into the pit. It is extremely hard for any band to follow Vision Of Disorder, because the band wont let anyone sit or stand still.
From the moment they got on stage and teased the crowd with some Black Sabbath, we knew it was going to be a legendary performance. By the time they played their legendary song "Element", the venue was pretty much packed and going ape shit. The band continued their set without any interruptions, because singer Tim Williams does not like standing still and blabbering about stupid shit. This is evident when we have interviewed him for Horns Up Rocks.
We absolutely believe that 2011 is going to be a phenomenal year for Vision Of Disorder, not only because the band sounds better then ever, but because after taking an extended musical break, the band is on the proper head space to return with full force. Want to find out more about what's in store for VOD in 2011? Check out this video interview we did with singer Tim Williams backstage at the Best Buy Theater, while Life Of Agony was performing.
We want to thank Tim Williams and Vision Of Disorder for their continuous support, and Brenna and Dan for granting us access at the show. Special thanks to Evil Steve for his camera work, and to Simi Friedman for the killer pictures. \m/
And to the brink, I will rise!!! Vision Of Disorder is ready to rise once again and show the world what they are capable of doing through their furious music. Like most successful bands, their career has been one hell of a roller-coaster. What started as a Hardcore band in 1992, quickly evolved into a crossover between Hardcore, Metalcore and even Grunge Music. While some fans might see this as a lame move, there is nothing more refreshing then watching a band evolve their musical craft.
The journey has not been easy for Vision Of Disorder. Their early years got the band nationwide recognition, which resulted in a very fast paced and stressful rhythm for some very young guys. Get this, by the time most kids start college, VOD was playing shows with some of the best Heavy Metal bands in history: Black Sabbath, Pantera, Slayer, Sepultura, Tool, and Megadeth! While this was amazing for a Hardcore band from Long Island New York, there are a lot of things that VOD found the hard way.
One of the hard lessons that Vision Of Disorder learned very quickly was how the record industry works. We believe that one of the factors that affected the relationship between the band and the record industry was the fact that it was hard for record labels to categorize their music, which affected the way their music was marketed. In 2002, after years of disappointment with various record labels, the band took an extended hiatus.
Fast forward to 2006, when the band reunited at the “Superbowl of Hardcore” in New York City. The response of the fans was incredible, but Vision Of Disorder were not in the proper head-space for recording a new album and to go on a full-blown tour. Part of the delay in the band making a full comeback, is the fact that singer Tim Williams is overcoming his addictions.
Currently, the band is recording a 5-song demo that they plan on shopping around to different record labels. Once they find the right deal, they will re-enter the studio and work on their next full-length album. Their goal is to keep the evolution of Vision Of Disorder going strong, and to record songs that will transmit furiously when they get on stage in front of the “VOD kids”.
Here is an interview we conducted with VOD's frontman Tim Williams, when they DESTROYED The Gramercy Theater in New York City this past August:
Here are some interesting facts about Vision Of Disorder:
- VOD was formed in 1992, when guitarists Matt Baumbach and Mike Kennedy recruited singer Tim Williams, drummer Brendon Cohen and bassist Mike Fleischmann.
- Around the time when they recorded their 7 inch titled "Still", they got invited to participate in a documentary about the New York Hardcore scene titled N.Y.H.C., which helped the band to start creating an underground following. This was enough for Roadrunner Records to offer the band a major record deal.
- In 1996 they released their self-titled album, often referred to as the "green album" because of the artwork on the cover. The album was glorified by many old school Hardcore fans for its original sound.
- "Imprint" was recorded in only 2 weeks, because that is what was budgeted by Roadrunner Records. As a result the sound is raw, which turned off some fans. This is when the band decided to leave Roadrunner Records. “Imprint” features a duet between Tim Williams and Phil Anselmo from Pantera, Down, etc.
On Friday August 20th, we experienced the best live performance we have ever seen at The Gramercy Theater in New York City. That night Long Island's Vision of Disorder, took center stage and demonstrated that they are as relevant as when they released their self titled album almost 15 years ago. If there is something that Vision of Disorder proofs time and time again, is that they are an original and unmatched band. The key word in Vision of Disorder's music has always been evolution. This is why even after taking an extended break, the original members still remain loyal to what VOD represents. Now they are back in form and outperforming bands stage after stage, night after night. It's no surprise that they were asked to perform at the first Ozzfest ever in 1997, when they were only 20 year old kids.
We could write about what Vision of Disorder represents for days to come, but instead we will let their legendary front-man Tim Williams tell you about the present of the band. We purposely didn't talk much about the past of VOD, because that story has been released many times. And Vision of Disorder is not yesterday's news, they are today's headline!
This is Vision of Disorder performing their song "Suffer" live at The Gramercy Theater on Friday August 20th:
This is Vision of Disorder performing their song "Element" live at The Gramercy Theater on Friday August 20th:
This is Vision of Disorder performing their song "Viola" live at The Gramercy Theater on Friday August 20th:
In 1992 guitarists Matt Baumbach and Mike Kennedy formed Vision of Disorder, joining them were singer Tim Williams, drummer Brendon Cohen and bassist Mike Fleischmann. Soon after the band started jamming, Fleischmann left the band temporarily. The band collectively decided to not bring another bass player on board. Eventually Fleischmann returned to the band, this is when they recorded a few demos and compilations. The response wasn't what they expected, but this didn't matter to the band. They kept working hard on their craft and in 1995 they released their seminal 7" record titled "Still" (released on Striving for Togetherness Records). This album includes the original versions of the songs Through My Eyes and D.T.O.
Around the time when they recorded "Still", they got invited to participate in a documentary about the New York Hardcore scene titled N.Y.H.C. The documentary included live performances from the band, as well as an in depth interview. This helped the band to start creating an underground following, especially within the Long Island Hardcore scene. This was enough for Roadrunner Records to offer the band a major record deal.
In 1996 they released their self-titled album, often referred to as the "green album" because of the artwork on the cover. The album was released by Roadrunner Records' subsidiary label Supersoul, and it was glorified by many old school Hardcore fans for its original sound. As a result Vision of Disorder became a worldwide phenomena.
A few years later the band released their album "Imprint" through Roadrunner Records. The band pushed the envelope and created a heavier album. This made some of old school fans turn their heads away, but it also gained them a new batch of fans. This album is a lot angrier and darker than their first album. It also includes a duet between singer Tim Williams and Phil Anselmo from Pantera, Down, etc. "Imprint" was recorded in only 2 weeks, because that is what was budgeted by Roadrunner Records. As a result the sound is raw, which turned off some fans. This is when the band decided to leave Roadrunner Records.
After years of touring in support of their album "Imprint", Vision of Disorder became somewhat unnoticed within the heavy music world. As a result, they decided to go back to their roots and released "For the Bleeders". The album included 9 demo songs that were re-recorded for this record. The album was released in 1999 through independent label, Go Kart Records.
In 2001 the band decided to explore their sound and wrote "From Bliss to Devastation", an album which singer Tim Williams refers to as "the Wild-card". Released through TVT Records, the album is a blend of Vision of Disorder's signature sound combined with musical elements reminiscent of the Grunge era bands. The album is considered a commercial failure, and the fans where dissapointed at the bands new sound.
In 2002 the band was very frustrated with the treatment they were getting from the record industry and decided to take an extended hiatus. Eventually they disbanded, and singer Tim Williams and guitarist Mike kennedy formed Bloodsimple. Drummer Brendon Cohen and bassist Mike Fleischmann also started a band called Berzerkers and Karnov.
After years apart, the band reunited to play a 3 song mini-set on a show with Bloodsimple and Berzerkers and Karnov. The response was very positive and as a result the band was asked to play the 2006 Super Bowl of Hardore. That summer the band reunited for three shows, which were filmed for a DVD. In 2008 the band reunited again for a few shows, one of those shows took place at the Crazy Donkey in Long Island and the response was huge. On November 11, 2008 Vision of Disorder released their DVD titled "Dead in NY" through Koch Entertainment.
In October 2008 the band announced that they had reunited and that they were working on a new album. According to the band, they are entering the studio on September 9th of this year. The band has already written over 20 songs, and recorded a demo. They plan to record a second demo, which they will send to various record labels. According to Tim Williams, the new songs sound like Imprint, mixed with new sounds and classic Hardcore tones. The band will pick 11 songs to record for their new album. The goal is to release the new album within the next 6 months.
This Friday August 20th, Vision of Disorder will make its impact be felt at The Gramercy Theater here in New York City. Joining them that night will be The Judas Syndrome, Reign Supreme and Incendiary. It will be their first show in New York City since their infamous takeover at Irving Plaza in 2008. Tickets are going fast, so get yours now!
Long Island's most successful Hardcore band in history, is lining up a very interesting 2011. Vision Of Disorder recently performed at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square New York, along with Life Of Agony, Biohazard, and Seventh Void. The band brought its uncompromised attitude and did what they do best: get the crowd off their feet and into the pit. It is extremely hard for any band to follow Vision Of Disorder, because the band wont let anyone sit or stand still. 
We absolutely believe that 2011 is going to be a phenomenal year for Vision Of Disorder, not only because the band sounds better then ever, but because after taking an extended musical break, the band is on the proper head space to return with full force. Want to find out more about what's in store for VOD in 2011? Check out this video interview we did with singer Tim Williams backstage at the Best Buy Theater, while Life Of Agony was performing.
IMPRINTED by Jo Schüftan (Founder of Horns Up Rocks)
