In a course of four years, there have been tremors that quaked the downtown of Zurich. Three guys, each to his own specialty, tore up their local scene, establishing a name for themselves worldwide as prime technicians within the bleeding sections of Thrash Metal music. CORONER simply nailed it, album after album, starring with my personal favorite "Punishment For Decadence", trailing back to 1988. However, as the decade was coming to close, so was the change in the music industry, a change that doesn't need any further introduction. Two years after piercing with "No More Color", still signed to Noise Records, CORONER came back with their first burnt offering in the 90s, encrusting it with an inner psychological imagery, naming it "Mental Vortex". The re-emerging Noise Records is now reissuing the 1991 album along with its follower. I'd tell you one thing, pleasant memories rapidly started to resurface.

New methods come with new weapons, a brighter approach to a warmongering technique might channel a path to greatness. CORONER never really abandoned their vigorous spirituality of Thrash Metal, but rather refined it, upgrade it in their own terms if you will. Earlier band, which I reviewed, the German DEATHROW, did the same, and their style was even more loosen up in comparison to the Swiss trio. CORONER were on the edge, going through a phase that a lot of bands went through as the tides turned, and not always in their favor, making them do things that weren't apart of the original master plan to take over the world by feverish storm. Instead of heavily armed aggression, a new road was paved for further progressive, esthetics, harmony and melodic decorations. Though already being technical at what they do, a step was made. So I guess that there is no harm, no foul in following somewhat different paths. In order to simply state it, "Mental Vortex" is an advanced "No More Color", and might I mention, even better produced, less crunch and slightly bit polished. In fact, I think that the remastering did the album a good service.

"Semtex Revolution", my favorite out of the pack, is an intelligent being, showing quite a courageous songwriting, flip flapping between aggression, enticing lead guitar tactics and assorted structures while grooving when given the chance. Trust me that it wouldn't leave you anytime soon. Taking a different turn from the opening speedy KREATORish influential, "Son of Lilith" strikes as a heavier, mid-tempo creature, a tad melodic in comparison to the band's previous material, and in contrast to what is coming next, one of the straightforward tunes of the release. "Metamorphosis" portrays aggressive riffery against sweet harmony, diversity against sheer freewheel burning, the melodic bass line really kicked my ass while the solo was blazing through my ears, dammit. The heavy rain is coming down, and it pours drops of gut ripping steel. "Sirens" is CORONER taking their songwriting to the next level, employing a cunning edge and sophisticated sections that are miles away than their early raw nature of the 80s. Due to its high value, the song is a barrier breach beyond the decade, enabling strong licks and crude melodies. "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", I will be frank, I expected something like that. CORONER took that known road of covering their early bird music years of just sitting around and listening to records, this time with THE BEATLES. It a pleasurable food for thought and the grand prize is an awarding own version. Such a harmonic outcome, I couldn't have foreseen, an amazing captive hold, almost like a drug. To think that TYPE O NEGATIVE and HALESTORM covered the same song later on, there are limitless patterns in play.

A little bit of what is engulfing the CD before you. Though there aren't any linear notes, there are rare photos, posters and news items concerning that period of time in CORONER's career, which I believe is quite enough to accompany you while listening to the album.

"Mental Vortex" was yet another developmental stage, an undertaking done by a variety of Metal bands as the genre's popularity was slowly eaten away by the Alternative nation. However, that same evolution made CORONER stronger and heavily convicted. Be watchful for the upcoming follower.