January 2026 Featured Release - The Gateway Edition

So just like that we find that a new month is upon us which of course means that we’ll be nominating a brand new monthly feature release for each clan. This essentially means that we’re asking you to rate, review & discuss our chosen features for no other reason than because we enjoy the process & banter. We’re really looking forward to hearing your thoughts on our chosen releases so don’t be shy.

This month's feature release for The Gateway, nominated by me (Shadowdoom9 (Andi)), is the 2001 4th album by New York-based alt-metalcore band Vision of Disorder, From Bliss to Devastation. Although their detour into alt-metal wasn't successful and led to the band's temporary split, it greatly hints at the sound of vocalist Tim Williams' band that followed, Bloodsimple. Gateway members should have something to like from this offering that's indeed filled with bliss and devastation.

https://metal.academy/releases/3187

I listened through this album yesterday and was completely underwhelmed by it.  It genuinely sounded like the vocalist was wanting to be in an entriely different band to the rest of the group (which I guess is where the temporary split and ensuing change of scenery for the vocalist comes from).  The vocals aren't all that great either, switching from a deeper tuneful element to more aggressive attempts that just sound juvenile and amateur.  Some good riffs going on though and I would suspect the group is a better metalcore artist than this attempt at alternative metal.  Props for trying something different I suppose but it does not work for me.

I've just done my review, here's its summary:

So this usually hardcore/metalcore band made it big with their first two albums released via Roadrunner Records. They ended up leaving the label and made a mostly demo-re-recorded album with a different label. And if Vision of Disorder fans were expecting another hardcore/metalcore album after that, that's not what they got. Instead, the band jumped on the alt-/nu metal wagon that was really rollin' at the time. As a young metalhead listening to metal long after all that happened, I enjoy From Bliss to Devastation more than those earlier Vision of Disorder fans ever had, and more than the more elite metalheads ever would. I think I still have some Gateway enjoyment left in me with all this sharp alt-metal pleasing my ears. My favorite songs are not just the title epic but also the ones that throw back to their earlier rage and unleash metal fury. However, a couple tracks towards the end are quite repetitive and messy. Nonetheless, From Bliss to Devastation is for people who can appreciate rock-on alt-metal with none of the hip-hop elements of nu metal in sight. Sadly, the lack of success and support would result in the band disbanding temporarily. Still their greatness has stayed strong even in the roughest of times....

4/5

Recommended tracks: "Living to Die", "Southbound", "From Bliss to Devastation", "Downtime Misery", "Pretty Hate", "Done In"

For fans of: Soundgarden, Bloodsimple, Faith No More