Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Coroner - Mental Vortex (1991)

I can't quite think of any other band in the thrash metal genre that has the flow of Coroner?  Certainly without any elements of groove metal being incorporated at least?  The technical yet scathing delivery of Mental Vortex is both entertaining and innovative in equal measure.  Progressive structures, catchy riffs, grim and gnarly vocals and deft musicianship all tick boxes on this release.  Whist not my favourite Coroner release, Mental Vortex gets fair amount of air time on Radio Macabre over the course of a year.

I think its popularity with me is largely around the accessibility and energy of it.  The riffs feel like they have real meaning and feel behind them, the leads exude passion and emotion and yet at the same time the whole thing just comes across as so sensible.  There's an order to proceedings here that allows all individual elements to breathe without ever becoming showy or flashy.  They even do a decent job of covering The Beatles  I Want You (She's So Heavy).  The restraint shown is down to the professionalism of the artists involved.  That knowledge of when to let rip and when to hold back and nurture a track is rare and the maturity really shines through on this their fourth full length offering.

Prior to this the band had built a solid discography, developing their technical and memorable sound since the early eighties.  By the time 1991 came around Mental Vortex realised all the experience and maturity you would expect in a band that has been releasing material for nearly a decade.

My only quirks with it are that it feels like a bit of slog to start, with both the first two tracks touching the seven minute mark I do drift a bit initially.  Overall though it is a fine example of a band hitting their stride and the music showing this.