UMUR
"Vision the Chaos" is an EP release by Canadian, Quebec based death metal act Kataklysm. The EP was released through Boundless Records in 1994. Originally only on 7" vinyl, but the it´s since seen a CD reissue through Skyscraper Music. It´s the follow-up release to the November 1993 "The Mystical Gate of Reincarnation" EP and the last release from Kataklysm before the release of the band´s debut full-length studio album "Sorcery" from February 1995.
"Vision the Chaos" features 2 tracks and a total playing time of 11:54 minutes. "Vision The Chaos (Kataklysm Part I)" is a new track while "Shrine Of Life (Chapter III - Reborn Through Death) Version II" is a re-arranged and re-recorded version of the original track from the "The Death Gate Cycle of Reincarnation" (1992) demo.
Stylistically this is a continuation of the technically well played, brutal, and quite creative death metal style of the other early releases by Kataklysm. The tracks feature many different sections, constant tempo changes, sharp brutal riffing, a drummer extraordinaire, and a schizophrenic sounding lead vocalist, who growls, screams, and generally just makes a lot of extreme sounds and noises. It´s actually quite original sounding death metal considering this was still relatively early in the 90s. The songwriting approach is relatively unique and there´s often the feeling that the music is about to derail, but because Kataklysm are so skilled, they keep the train on track, and control their chaotic sounds with what sounds like ease.
So the high level musicianship is definitely worth a mention. The EP also features a relatively well sounding production job, although it does lean towards sounding like a demo. In comparison the band´s November 1993 "The Vortex of Resurrection" demo featured a better sounding production. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.