With only their second effort since reuniting in 2008, Long Island-based hardcore titans Vision of Disorder are looking to make their mark once again on a new, different scene. Razed to the Ground is their follow-up to 2012’s The Cursed Remain Cursed.

Thanks to the ferocious opener “Heart of Darkness,” Razed to the Ground is unrelenting hardcore from the get-go. “Hours in Chaos” keeps this intensity going, before “Electric Sky” takes things up several more notches. Between the wild riffing and gruff vocals, the sheer potency of “Electric Sky” is nearly unmatchable, while the vicious song-ending breakdown in the title track really sets it apart. “Craving” features an off-kilter time signature throughout that helps add to its staying power, so much so in fact that it’s among the stronger songs from the album because of this.

The bridge in “Cut My Teeth” gives it an edge, but aside from that it’s one of the record’s weaker moments. “Red on the Walls” follows suit in lacking a staying power as well, but together they’re really the only “lows” of Razed to the Ground. “Nightcrawler” avoids falling into this same rut by bringing the riffs back into the forefront. The last two tracks on the album don’t let up either. Take “Severed Wing,” for instance. The penultimate song changes key so much that it’s hard to keep track of. The final cut on the album, “Amurdica A Culture of Violence,” is a brutal closer with hints of melody sprinkled throughout the choruses. Overall, it’s a solid way to finish the record.

Vision of Disorder does not disappoint on their latest effort. It will definitely take a certain kind of listener to get into Razed to the Ground, as the album isn’t very accessible, but even after considering that and its weak moments, the record is still a solid release sure to please fans of both the band and the genre.

Score: 4/5

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