Coroner - Mental Vortex - guest review

Coroner - Mental Vortex - guest review

Cover image of the reviewed item
Band
Coroner
Release date
August 12, 1991
Reviewer
9.3
8.7
Tracklist
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]
Guest review by
K✞ulu
March 10, 2009
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 | March 10, 2009
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.

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Comments: 31 Visited by 201 users

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24.04.2026 - 21:16
Rating: 9

Posts: 942
So many fucking great riffs and solos on this one, it´s so heavy, powerfull and in your face, that you just can´t get enough. What a mindblowing record.

And what about that Beatles cover? Spot on.
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