Coroner - No More Color (1989)

God, this is hard to evaluate. I really do feel perplexed whenever I am forced to give an opinion on anything Coroner have done. I am much inclined to write exclusively in their favour, which is what I try to avoid most of the time but ending up largely unsuccessful at it. Seriously, I consider their creations as the epitomes of thrash, a benchmark to say the least and No More Color is the third to be released that has given weight to the conjecture.
So, what is there to comment on? I'd like to start of by saying that it is kind of similar but in a way also much different from the predecessor.
A nightmare to compare but what else is to be done when the bar has already been raised so high. It ended up being a far more riff based compulsion, with sick leads that cannot be affiliated with the word "flow".
I missed that in a way but if that would have been the main characteristic, there wouldn't have been the slightest difference between the albums. There is still a lot of variety present but not to the same extent as we're used to. Downsizing in that field resulted in an easier listen throughout the whole practically spotless album. Let's say that the observant tourguide had been replaced by his equally knowledgeable but slightly hectic twin brother who just wants to show you the cool sites and get it over with as quickly as possible. It's still the same tour(bus) that cost €16.99, but the atmosphere and the mood have changed. You be the judge of whether it was for better or for worse, I have already made up my mind but I'm not yet telling ...
Better to just take some time and appreciate both albums for what they truly are - masterpieces. Congratulations. Hands down for extracting the formula for success from Punishment for Decadence and extending the lifespan of the Coroner legacy.
I have no favourite track, feel free to pick one and give it a spin if you are not yet acquainted.

Coroner - Punishment for Decadence (1988)

Punishment? I feel rewarded for such an experience.
Simply Absorbed from the start as the title track goes. And just as I found the "key", there came the Masked Jackal, which once again reminded me of their debut R.I.P, a flash of the past if you will. It's astonishing how their musicianship has advanced, or with dignity to their earlier stuff, changed, from speed to thrash and yet again in a way that was previously inconceivable. Not even Exodus managed to undergo a refinement of this scale between their first two albums. What I also like is how every song has the ability to amaze you, riff upon riff. Not blow your intestines out but on the fine line of appreciation for the complexity coming your way. Other than that I have to admit that I am left speechless concerning the song structures.
Marky on the other hand had no problems of this sort. Perpetuating themes of death and its tempting nature induced from being manipulated with on a daily basis. Not what I would label as depressive (since there are certain bands out there, that ...), but in a way a grim reminder of the negative aspect of decadence and how it relates to individuals living a naive life. For the conclusion I am inclined to mention three gemstones; Sudden Fall, Masked Jackal, definitely a song to go through - it even spawned a music video afterwards if you care for those, and for desert Skeleton On Your Shoulder.

Coroner - R.I.P. (1987)

Ah yes, the Swiss trio. Hugely influential at the time and regarded today as an archetype of technical thrash in the full meaning of the word. Their story starts from humble speed metal beginnings as roadies for their compatriots Celtic Frost who probably had a significant thematical influence on them and with their main star Tom G. Warrior contributing on Coroner's Death Cult demo as a guest vocalist, the path was paved. Celtic Frost were most certainly a bigger thing in the broad history of metal because they helped with formulating the foundations of both black and death metal in Europe. But focusing on Coroner's debut R.I.P., no thrash creation made any resemblance up to that day. I would pick the year older Destruction's Eternal Devastation as the closest in line to comparison, but pick any component off their album and you will sooner or later realise the right on superior inventiveness and elegance of R.I.P. And yes, the ink was still wet and it was mostly just about speed as the trend dictated, but the musicianship was splendid and razor sharp, making it one hell of a strong debut. With a unique approach Tommy T. Baron gained recognition from both his early and later work to become an outstanding thrash guitarist. The bar was raised by instant classics like Reborn Through Hate, Nosferatu or my personal favourite Totentanz.