Coroner - Mental Vortex review
| Band: | Coroner |
| Album: | Mental Vortex |
| Style: | Technical thrash metal |
| Release date: | August 12, 1991 |
| Guest review by: | K✞ulu |
01. Divine Step (Conspectu Mortis)
02. Son Of Lilith
03. Semtex Revolution
04. Sirens
05. Metamorphosis
06. Pale Sister
07. About Life
08. I Want You (She's So Heavy) [The Beatles cover]
Coroner is one of those Thrash Metal bands that got disbanded in the early nineties as a result of the overall decline in the scene. However this similarity with other bands of the genre is probably the only one because no one played like Coroner. Of course, there were other bands labeled as Technical Thrash, but not one of them was as cool as them, especially concerning the technical side itself. When this trio play, nothing is static; the music flows with so many changes that it's impossible to get bored.
Mental Vortex, the band's fourth album, is no exception. The music isn't extremely fast in the thrash meaning of it, but the songs are very catchy, and despite the frequent tempo and time signature changes, the sense of melody is definitely present, and songs sound structured. With Mental Vortex Coroner continued with the complex sound of No More Color and took it to even a more amazing level with superb songwriting. The solos are as always skillfully executed and are greatly written, and therefore fit into the songs just fine, not to mention their originality. Tommy T. Baron is one of the best Metal guitar players, both for his mastery of the guitar and great riffage. He is one of those overlooked guitar heroes that every Thrash fan should know, just like Coroner as a band. Markus Edelmann's grunts fit the music as well and are even classic in a way. The quality of recording as usually could be better, but the dark and a bit blurry production goes well with the vocals and atmospheres and themes of the songs. For instance, the beginning of "Metamorphosis" used to absolutely freak me out with its whale wails. Nevertheless the sound quality did become better overall. Mental Vortex can actually be considered the band's best album, and well-deserved I must say. This review wouldn't be full if I didn't mention the cover of The Beatles song "I Want You (She's so Heavy)." This is one of the two covers in Coroner's discography, both amazing pieces (the other one is a Jimi Hendrix song "Purple Haze"). The only thing I am going to say about it is that it's one of the best covers I've ever heard. Listen and see for yourself.
Mental Vortex is a Thrash classic like every other Coroner album basically is. If you are a Thrash fan, and have read to this point, get this album as soon as you can and share the message with those who haven't heard of Coroner and this album in particular. Hail to the true masters of Thrash!
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 9 |
| Songwriting: | 9 |
| Originality: | 9 |
| Production: | 8 |
Written by K✞ulu | 10.03.2009
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Comments
Comments: 30
Visited by: 188 users
| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071  |
Nice review and i agree Coroner are overlooked and this album is brilliant. But just to correct you... they have recorded more than two covers, besides covering Jimi Hendrix and The Beates they also covered D.A.F.'s Der Mussolini
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996 
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2573  |
Thank you, but why not correct me during the proofreading stage?  and you as usually dig good thrash, and that's why my review got published so quickly
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by K✞ulu on 10.03.2009 at 06:58 I am asking myself the same question now.  Me liking good thrash has noooothing to do with this review getting published that quickely 
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Thryce Retired Staff Elite Posts: 4346  |
Very good album indeed. Most probably one of Coroner's best works, like you said. This is actually the album that got me into Coroner. But of course the music isn't extremely fast since technical thrash is almost by definition more mid-paced. It's just too bad you blew so much sunshine up their ass. By over-praising the album that much, the review kind of loses a certain amount of credibility. PS: don't know if you know Watchtower yet. They might be worth your time too.
---- Your favorite band sucks.
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2573 |
Written by Thryce on 13.03.2009 at 16:41 I think it does deserve that high of a rating although I didn't think like this even a month ago. As far as Watchtower, I listened to Control and Resistance, and I remember that it's good, but probably not as good as Coroner, but thanks for reminding me about them; I should definitely listen to it again some time soon. PS: did I really overpraise it that much? Doesn't it deserve it? Not all their album are as cool.
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| Dominus The Shooter Posts: 375  |
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| keschte Account deleted |
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2573 |
Written by [user id=40462] on 05.04.2009 at 12:04 crap, that's a mistake... hmm... i somehow need to edit this... thanks for pointing out.
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| Rattlehead.cz Posts: 144  |
I like Coroner and this album is great, but to be honest, I like more the previous three albums. Best song for me is probably the first one, really amazing song, and I like the cover of Beatles as well.
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| In Bone Factory Posts: 381  |
One the best thrash albums ever. oh god forgive me coz i've just discovered this great band.16 years after their disbandation.so sad. 
---- The End Is Nigh ...
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| Maxx666 Meshuggahian Posts: 376  |
Really great album.They should be there in the teutonic thrash hall of fame along with kreator,sodom and destruction 
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by Maxx666 on 13.07.2009 at 21:55 Why in the teuonic thrash hall of fame? They sound nothing like the big German three. Okay, they don't play Bay Area Thrash either but also not Teutonic thrash. If one wants to tag Coroner's brand of thrash it should be technical thrash metal and nothing else.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374  |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 13.07.2009 at 22:13 Nah.. I would say "BRILLIANT Technical Thrash" suits them better.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Maxx666 Meshuggahian Posts: 376 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 13.07.2009 at 22:13 Yeah you got a point there:yes: I mean they are teutonic thrash in the sense that they came from countries neighbouring Germany:
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by Maxx666 on 14.07.2009 at 22:38 That's what I realised later onn, that that's what you might have meant. But then again Artillery from Denmark also plays Bay Area Thrash
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Maxx666 Meshuggahian Posts: 376 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 14.07.2009 at 22:43 Yeah it works kinda like that 
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Written by Maxx666 on 14.07.2009 at 22:50 Enough nitpicking from me... this is one awesome band, although I am not too much a fan of their debut album. But Mental Vortex is certainly a grande album.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Maxx666 Meshuggahian Posts: 376 |
Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 14.07.2009 at 22:51 Whatever, afterall you are the expert
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| silenius Posts: 531  |
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| tea[m]ster Au Pays Natal Contributor Posts: 5266  |
Their is no bigger fan of Coroner than me. However, this album just isn't as good as Punishment for Decadence & No More Color. It can't touch Grin either. Maybe it's the production...the album sounds "processed" 7/10
---- rekt
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| Boxcar Willy yr a kook Posts: 9155  |
Saw it at disc-go-round for 25 bucks is it worth 25 bucks... i mean i got four albums there for twenty...
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| K✞ulu Seeker of Truth Posts: 2573 |
Written by Boxcar Willy on 30.08.2010 at 19:30 Well, if I were you I would buy it.
---- Savor what you feel and what you see Things that may not seem important now But may be tomorrow R.I.P. Chuck Schuldiner Satan was a Backstreet Boy
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| Darkside Momo Retired Elite Posts: 9089  |
Written by Boxcar Willy on 30.08.2010 at 19:30 It is worth it, but don't forget that Coroner re-unites.... I don't know who holds the rights on their recordings right now, but maybe re-issues will come out next year? Pure guess, but not impossible.
---- My Author's Blog (in French)  "You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you" "I've lost too many years now I'm stealing back my soul I am awake"
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| Dangerboner Lactation Cnslt Posts: 7262  |
Written by Boxcar Willy on 30.08.2010 at 19:30 No, this album is not worth $25. Their first three are much better than this release. I'd say preview it on YouTube and then make a decision, but I'm sure you can order it online for much cheaper.
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| Marcel Hubregtse Grumpy Old Fuck Elite Posts: 40071 |
Like Dangerboner said the albums before this one are much better. And are the best they released. But Mental Vortex and Grin are still ver good albums nonetheless. Why a lot of people consider MV to be their best is I think due to the fact that MV saw to it that Coroner all of a sudden got the recognition they deserved due to it being a little more accessible.
---- Member of the true crusade against European Flower Metal Yesterday is dead and gone, tomorrow is out of sight Dawn Crosby (r.i.p.) 05.04.1963 - 15.12.1996
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| Boxcar Willy yr a kook Posts: 9155 |
Seems i should buy it on the interweb... Btw for 20 bucks i got... Korn-Follow The Leader Entombed-Serpant Saints Metallica-...And Justice For All Prong-Cleansing so...
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| X-Ray Rod Skandino Staff Posts: 18374 |
No offense, but I take Mental Vortex over those 4 albums any day of my entire life.
---- Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29 Written by Milena on 20.06.2012 at 10:49
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| Carl Berg Carl Berg Posts: 589  |
One amazing album, got me headbanging after the first 10 seconds.
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| AndMetalForAll kual21 Posts: 314  |
Agree with your review all the way!! It's almost a perfect example of thrash, only don't agree with your opinion about the The Beatles' cover, I don't find so amazing as you say. Still congratulations for the review...
---- greets, kual21
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| Bad English Tage Westerlund Posts: 62000  |
Opening statement is right , they did broke up in time, look at sodom, kreator (they came back after gothic albums) , but this genre , noplays it and even other bands, new bands non can catch what this band had, Suisse has 2 good classic bands, and what came later dont counts,
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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