Formed in Zurich, Switzerland in 1983, Coroner were originally roadies for fellow Swiss avant garde thrashers, Celtic Frost. In fact, Frost frontman Tom G Warrior sang vocals on the bands demo, ‘Death Cult’. Signing to Germany’s Noise Records in 1987 the band produced five albums for the label over the next nine years – R.I.P., Punishment For Decadence, No More Colour, Mental Vortex and Grin. Starting out from the 80’s thrash scene the band’s sound soon progressed to encompass elements of classical, avant-garde, prog, jazz and industrial and their increasingly complex style pf progressive rock-infused thrash garnered them the nickname, “the Rush of thrash metal”. The cult status of the band lead them to reform in 2011 where they have toured the globe, playing major festivals in between releasing a career spanning DVD, documenting the history of the band. They are scheduled to release a new album, their first in 22 years, later this year. Coroner’s fourth album, Mental Vortex was originally released in 1991 and is considered by many as their magnum opus. As the thrash metal phenomena was cooling down, the band strived to take their metallic dynamics in a more progressive and complex direction. The tempo slowed down across the majority of the album but in came a strong sense of melody combined with their signature time changes and individuality. This is easily one of the best albums the genre has to offer.
K**E
The packaging is improved, but the audio is not really.
While this is my second favorite Coroner album, If you have the original discs, stick with them and skip these reissues. There’s a bit less low bass and increased midrange eq’ing in these remasters when compared to the original masters... usually it’s the other way around with remastered versions. The additional photos of memorabilia in the booklets are neat, but if you still own the original noise records releases, they’re the better sounding discs.
J**E
Vinyl edition is excellent
Excellent sounding vinyl edition in a beautiful purple vinyl. Very basic single sleeve with good art reproduction and sound.All of my Noise reissues have been good.
O**
🤘
Kick ass metal album from the best era of metal!!
S**T
What can I say? Awesome on vinyl!!
Great album!! Love this stuff!!
H**Z
Excelente
Muy bueno.
A**R
5 stars all the way
Excellent progressive rock album
E**Y
Ground breaking progressive thrash metal
Ground breaking progressive thrash metal
M**O
Obscure but brilliant album.
One of the great things about old-school heavy metal is that even after 30 years of being a fan, you can still discover a little known album that completely blows you away. Originally released in 1991, Coroner's 'Mental Vortex' is just such an album.While Coroner are classed as a thrash band, in reality they are SO much more than that. 'Mental Vortex' is brimming with catchy, technical thrash riffs, but also incorporates elements of goth rock, industrial and even classical music to create a sound that bears little resemblance to anyone else. Top tracks include 'Semtex Revolution', 'Pale Sister' and a brilliantly audacious cover of the Beatles 'I Want You (She's So Heavy)'. Ron Royce's gruff vocals give some added bite to a startlingly good record. This reissue by Noise/BMG records has been nicely remastered and comes in a nice digipak with an expanded booklet.Coroner never achieved major commercial success and remain criminally overlooked and underappreciated to this day. But 'Mental Vortex' stands tall as not only their finest album but a brilliantly unique classic that is highly recommended to all fans of innovative heavy metal.
L**C
Excellent technical thrash metal...
I still remember when this album came out first in 1991: I didn't know what to make of it. It was so unique, so subtle, so different to anything else going on in metal at the time (remember, Death Metal was on the rise and everyone wanted to be brutal). I think this album didn't get the credit it deserved because at the time this album came out, metal was moving in a different direction. Coroner has always been a cult band, but I do think they deserve far more credit in the metal milieu than they usually get -their uniqueness is only paralleled by Voivod. It is hard to beat the complexity of the structure in their music and the skill in which every single instrument is played. If any metal album has been close to perfection in terms of delivery, this is it. In my humble opinion, this album is the highest point in the evolution of the band. Songs like Pale Sister, About Life, Sirens, Semtex Revolution are great in every single aspect, with smart lyrics and mind-blowing music. The Beatles cover of She's so Heavy is mesmerising. The re-issues of the classic Coroner's albums it was long overdue; it's finally here so don't waste any time and but it, you won't regret it. This is a real joy to listen to, from start to finish.
R**H
Total Classic, great remaster
Coroner are totally unique. The amazing technicality and melody of Tommy Vetterli's guitars are simply jaw-dropping. Blend that with the stunning accompaniment of Ron Broder's bass and Markus Edelmann's drums and you get a supremely intelligent dark thrash classic offering endless twists and turns. Edelmann's lyrics always offered a subtle poetic darkness, and it's no different here. Broder's vocals are distinctive, and personally I love the delivery - it's all part of that perfect package of darkness. I remember when I first got this back in the day I liked it, but it wasn't until a year or two later that it all clicked that it was absolute genius!! Loads of great tracks: Divine Step, Son of Lilith, Sirens, Pale Sister, and the amazing cover of I Want you. Mental Vortex is an absolutely essential metal classic. In fairness all Coroner albums are. The remasters are appreciated!"I don't need wingsto reach the skyAnd I don't need handsto hold you tight..."
D**N
AMAZING !!!
Amazing Death/Thrash Album from CORONER !!! Just buy it !!
M**F
Good
Good
Trustpilot
1 day ago
1 month ago
