UMUR "A Vision of Misery" is the 3rd full-length studio album by US, California based thrash metal act Sadus. The album was released through Roadrunner Records in March 1992. It´s the successor to "Swallowed in Black" from 1990. Sadus had been relatively successful with "Swallowed in Black (1990)", but gained even further notice from the metal scene when bassist Steve DiGiorgio was asked to join the recording lineup of the groundbreaking "Human (1991)" album by Death. After finishing up his work with Schuldiner and co., he was back in Sadus for the recording of "A Vision of Misery".

Stylistically the music on "A Vision of Misery" continues the furiously fast-paced, aggressive, and technically well played thrash metal style of "Swallowed in Black (1990)" (albeit with quite a few more mid-paced sections than before). It´s slightly less frenetic this time around though, and there is a bit more sophistication to the songwriting too. The guitar solos are for example a bit more memorable than on the predecessor and occasionally even feature a hint of melody. The tracks also feature more catchy hooks, although it wouldn´t exactly be the truth calling this accessible music. This is still first and foremost very aggressive thrash metal played with great technical skill. In other words, it´s unmistakably the sound of Sadus. They are branching out a bit though and tracks like "Machines" and "Deceptive Perceptions" show a side of them we haven´t heard on the preceding releases. A less aggressive, more atmospheric and varied side.

As mentioned the musicianship is on a high technical level. Sadus are a really well playing act, from the pounding aggressive drumming, to the razor sharp fast-paced guitar riffs, to the rapid dog snarl of the vocals, to the fretless bass playing. Everything is delivered with tight precision yet with great organic sensibility. The well sounding production follows suit. It´s raw, organic, and powerful sounding. Quite a bit more detailed than the sound on the predecessor, and upon conclusion "A Vision of Misery" is a step up from the previous releases by the band. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.