From roadies of their local Metal heroes, CELTIC FROST, to one of the most talented Technical Thrash Metal bands that ruled the 80s, and might I remind just in less than five years' time. Is that really possible? Was it pure luck? First, it is possible as long as one's ambitions puts him / her to work hard and second, luck is not really an actual factor. Bred in Zurich, Switzerland, it was only a matter of time before CORONER would explode into the European Metal scene. After the release of their renowned debut demo "Death Cult" in 1986, which also featured Tom G. Warrior (CELTIC FROST), things started to happen for the trio. Signing with Noise Records, their label for the first part of their career, before breaking up in the mid-90s, was quite a big step and far from being a chance for the label, better yet, an authentic triumph.

Decades after CORONER's golden age in the 80s, the band's current label, Century Media, made a decision to reissue the band's first three albums, which have been rendered as their paramount. The first one in question, as you can probably notice, it the debut, "R.I.P.". Honestly, as a reissue, and since this album's previous was the notorious demo, I expected additional tracks from "Death Cult", or at least some of the tracks that made a difference. However, at the least the volume of the tunes was somewhat higher than the originals, rather logical when thinking about it. Other than that, there is no really a big change in the tracklist. Even so, it gives a good chance for the new generation to find themselves within the old school merits, especially when these are on display with such ferocious musical expertise.

CORONER lunged into the realm of Thrash Metal's technical side right from the start. Portraying insane changes of pace, varying the beats, slaying the solos, creating surprising song structures while assimilating visions of the riffs and melodies that can be found in earlier acts such as IRON MAIDEN, METALLICA, HELLOWEEN and VOIVOD. Knee deep between the lines, you can actually feel this awesome trio playing, such a passion is uncanny, it drives you nuts while in the course of it, making you bang your head silly. Let's face it, there is barely much time to think as the confusion of technical speed takes you under its grip, pushing into the pit, spraying madness all over.

I am positive that tracks like the instrumental barometer of the album, "Nosferatu", melodic, yet brutal, riffing machine "Spiral Dream" and the unstoppable force in progression "Suicide Command", are destined to provide you enough idea of the raging storm you are about to enter yourself in. Join in the two catchy Thrashers to the mix, "Fried Alive" and "Totentanz" and at least you will be able to catch a breath, or not, but at least these two served the slightly less technical and more into the wholesome onslaught of Thrash Metal.

"R.I.P." signified of a future that is to set the standards for the next to come. One of the best debuts in European Thrash Metal, it is outlasting and will teach the new generation a few things about the essence of Metal.