Hailing from Switzerland in the mid-eighties, this band was among the finest thrash/death metal bands around. They can be compared to their German brothers in Destruction, Sodom, Kreator, and maybe also bands like Annihilator and Equinox. But what makes Coroner stick out, is their ultra-raspy vocalist.

R.I.P. (1987, 1989) NOISE

  1. Intro
  2. Reborn Through Hate
  3. When Angels Die
  4. Intro (Nosferatu)
  5. Nosferatu
  6. Suicide Command
  7. Spiral Dream
  8. R.I.P.
  9. Coma
  10. Fried Alive
  11. Intro (Totentanz)
  12. Totentanz
  13. Outro

Line-up:

Ron Royce: Vocals, Bass

Tommy T.Baron: All Guitar, Backing Vocals

Marquis Marky: Drums, Backing Vocals

Man, it feels great to finally own this album on CD. I used to play my old vinyl so much. And if you love thrash metal, you can't go wrong with some classic Coroner! Songs like "Reborn Through Hate" and "Totentanz" should be obligatory stuff in any metalheads collection. But I can't help it to complain a little bit about this album. It is pretty repetitive at times, making many of the songs sound too much alike each other. They use the same riffs in different songs, and they walk a fine line of becoming boring in doin' so. I guess in the end this all comes down to the listener, but I try my best not to let it bother me. 

BTW, the intro to "Totentanz" was originally written by Robert de Visée (1660-1720), and I guess it is kind of a hidden gem in the world of classical music. The lyrics for "Spiral Dream" were penned by one T.G.Warrior, better known as the leader of the band Celtic Frost.

Killer tracks: Reborn Through Hate, Nosferatu, Totentanz

PUNISHMENT FOR DECADENCE (1988) NOISE

  1. Intro
  2. Absorbed
  3. Masked Jackal
  4. Arc-Lite - instrumental
  5. Skeleton On Your Shoulder
  6. Sudden Fall
  7. Shadow Of A Lost Dream
  8. The New Breed
  9. Voyage To Eternity
  10. Purple Haze

Line-up:

Ron Royce: Vocals, Bass

Tommy T.Baron: Guitar

Marquis Marky: Drums

Guest musicians:

Gary Marlowe: Synth. Eff.

Dexter: Backing Vocals

This is another one of those great bands, that is almost impossible to find CD's of. Even though I remember that I loved this band way back when, I wasn't sure what to expect from this release. But as soon as the CD-player hit track 2, I knew I was in for a treat. All my worries were laid to rest, as song after song turned out to be just as good as my previous meetings with this band. Coroner play a slightly technical form of thrash metal, but with Ron's voice that hints to death metal. Not that growling style, but a very raspy one. Sepultura also have similar things going on. So if you are into the second wave of thrash metal, and dig bands like Kreator, Equinox, Sodom and Destruction, Coroner should be right up your alley. Look out for a strange, but cool, version of Jimi Hendrix' "Purple Haze".

Killer tracks: They are all good.

Related artists:

Kreator