On their second album,
Imprint, the five-piece New York hardcore band
Vision of Disorder has blossomed into one of today's best heavy bands. For starters, the album is a vast improvement over their 1996 self-titled debut, both sonically and musically, no doubt due to the involvement of producer D. Sardy (
Red Hot Chili Peppers,
Helmet, and others).
V.O.D. has also sharpened their songwriting and direction -- where most bands nowadays are fixated with the heavy 'West Coast' sound (created by
Korn),
Imprint is chock-full of raw, non-clichéd heavy metal. The group's secret weapon is drummer Brendon Cohen, who impresses with stellar performances throughout the disc. Highlights include a duet between singer Tim Williams and
Pantera singer Phil Anselmo (a self-proclaimed fanatic of the band) entitled "By the River," and as well as the melodic "Jada Bloom," and the crushing title track. Undoubtedly the best heavy album of 1998. [
Imprint is also available in an import release.] ~ Greg Prato