If you’re one of those people who don’t like change, please look away now. If you wanted another 40 minutes of sheer hard-core noise, I’m afraid you’ve inserted the wrong cd. Vision of Disorder have changed on a scale akin to Jack’s beans to beanstalk caper and it's all for the good. A bone-crushing concoction of angst and adrenaline and a sure fire remedy for all those feeling the strain of the ‘Nu’ wave of American metal, VOD recall feelings of Alice in Chains combined with the riffs of Black Sabbath. Put Simply, ‘From Bliss To Devestation’ is one of the ballsiest and greatest metal releases of the year.

If you don’t know the story of what’s gone on with VOD, then let me retort. The NY hardcore five-piece were uncompromisingly dropped by there record company and were left with not a pot to piss in. The world presumed them dead but instead they merely laid low and sharpened there attack while working in McDonalds and living on the floor. ‘FBTD’ is the fruits of their labour. Opening with the pile-driving ‘Living to Die’, it’s audibly clear that VOD have become a better band for there troubles. All crunchy guitars and hatred-ridden vocals, Tim Williams and co. have made their offense one that hits you with sharp controlled bursts as opposed to flattening you steamroller style. With a stoner soaked groove and a guitar sound not to dis-similar to Slipknot, the albums title track sounds like Pantera wrestling with a Black Sabbath classic. ‘Sunshine’ broadcasts vocalist Tim Williams crooning like a prime-time, pissed off Mike Patton while ‘Itchin’ To Bleed’ focuses on the rip-out-your-throat stylings of old. If there’s a minus point, it’s that the quality of songs on display take a drastic turn for the worst towards the end of the LP, but the first half more than makes up for it.

Make no mistakes about it, this is one for the old school rockers who like there metal hard, heavy and without an MC in sight. There’s no Turn-tables on display and no dance samples. This is just two guitars, drums, a big fat bass and a vocalist from the fiery pits from hell cranked up to 11. Vision of Disorder prove to the world that even without the backing of one of the world’s biggest metal labels, good music always prevails. A victory for the little guy.