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!
Related links:
VOD on MySpace
Official Site of The Judas Syndrome
Reign Supreme on MySpace
Incendiary on MySpace
