Working hard, working fast. And before you know it, you are in the midst of a pure classic, a piece of musical being that ushers both bliss and torment, comfort and utter destruction. Originally unleashed in 1988, a year after the debut, "Punishment For Decadence", and now in its reissue version via Century Media, is nothing less than a pure showdown of high end Metal. "R.I.P." started growing something that reached full maturity on "Punishment For Decadence". I know that some would argue and state that the 90s albums, "Mental Vortex" and "Grin" are the picture of a band becoming fully evolved in its taste, yet, who said that remaining true to an aggressive approach and sharp as a knife spirit, is to be considered immature?

The wonder of "Punishment For Decadence", and in general, CORONER's methods of songwriting, which I believe was brightened up on this particular album, is that even when it sounded messy, there was strict order. Largely, the tunes have been grounds of progressive musicality, a gateway to channel of what this trio can do, and time after time, do it better and better. It appeared to me that there was nothing that these guys couldn't play. You just let them gear up and they would fire off without stopping. I felt the whirlwind screaming in my ears, as I was facing an unending volley of melodic, speedy and Heavy Metal casted guitar riffs and divergent as hell rhythm sections. Not many Progressive Metal driven examples in the 80s, whether Thrash Metal or not, were able to actually make their creations memorable without over showering with daunting mechanical soullessness. On "Punishment For Decadence" I could make sense of things, bang my head like crazy and be one with the madness.

The asylum opened up its gates with the instrumental "Arc-Lite".I think that meaning of instrumental insanity, at least when it comes to the 80s, is to be misinterpreted once listening to this magnificence jewel. CORONER were on fire while playing their guts out, bearing such creativity that is divine. Their ability to create an interesting musical orchestration is something else. My favorite instrumental of the band. Even without the video that served as a means that got me to know the band, "Masked Jackal" on its own a powerful track of both concept and musical skill. The main riff is a true haunter. For yours truly, it is CORONER's utmost effort to date for a tune that is not an instrumental. "Sudden Fall" for some reason had me thinking of early HELLOWEEN's Speed Metal command, however, the barrage of aggressive, yet classic, riffs and never ending structure patterns, made me realize that CORONER went overboard in style. They were even able to squeeze enough juice to provide a simple gang chorus for the headbangers to follow. "Shadow of a Lost Dream" is relentless Heavy / Speed Metal based song, conveying a blitz of mortifying soloing sections, and this one is supposed to be one of the rather easiest tunes to handle of the list. As for the multiple riff variety and tempos, simple and to the point, there is a limit for how much the head could bang. "The New Breed" reminded me of "Masked Jackal" but on steroids. CORONER didn't waste even a single second, made their assault true with some ferocious examples of high octane playing, untamed Speed and massive riffology, assimilating the world's chaos into their hall.

"Punishment For Decadence" made it solid that time doesn't always have an effect of how better a musical unit can be, it is also ambition and will dependent. It served as giant step for the band to become a juggernaut in its field in Metal music, enabled a pure crossing between the classic subgenres. Don't waste an opportunity and get it.