After thirty-two years of waiting, the Swiss trio comprising Ron Broder (vocals, bass), Tommy Vetterli (guitars), and the return of original member Diego Rapacchietti (drums), joined forces to continue their legacy as pioneers. This anticipated comeback led me to say that this is the best comeback of the year. “Dissonance Theory” is the band’s sixth studio album and their first in over thirty years, which defines the roots and sonic quality.

Produced by Tommy Vetterli and mixed by the well-known Swedish producer Jens Bogren (Opeth, Kreator, Amon Amarth, etc.), Coroner strikes with full force; however, the elements managed to recreate memorability to songs like “Consequence” and “Sacrificial Lamb”. The guitars sound spectacular, combining monstrous riffs, raspy vocals, and ultra-guitar solos soaring with high precision. For a long time, the Swiss trio has been reputed as a forward-thinking band and deserves all the credit for shaping the early thrash metal scene. Their songwriting quality is on par with bands like Mekong Delta, Voivod, Celtic Frost, Deathrow, and Sadus.

These bands have inspired the musical evolution of thrash metal; therefore, Coroner became particularly prominent during the 80s and 90s era. They have innovated with avant-garde experimentation, technical jazz complexity, thrashing ferocity, and elements of industrial metal a la Samael. 

“Dissonance Theory” is incredibly dynamic; the songs are packed with grooves and technical riffing steeped in the aesthetics of Coroner’s sonic formula, while revealing constant evolution and songwriting genius. Among the best tracks is “Crisium Bound”, which incorporates rapid riffing, menacing aggression, and monstrous riffing meandering through dark keyboard passages and eccentric slow tempos.

The trio takes its craft to staggering levels of progression and technicality. The drums hammer out thunderous beats, and there are some beautiful leads and dark atmospheric guitar patterns; the music bridges the classic style with a present flux of fantastic ideas. The riffing madness breaks out in “Symmetry” to capture their kinetic energy. Rapid riffing colliding with a hooky rhythm and excellent drum fills that will make your face melt, Coroner are veterans, and they know when to unleash the heavy riff influx.

None of the riffs on the album sound generic; on the contrary, the trio showcases unique guitar patterns that are similar to “No More Color” and “Mental Vortex”. “The Law” and “Transparent Eye” are littered with the sonic DNA. From the prestigious riffs crafted and riffing swagger, hence bringing plenty of moments to shine in the mid-paced sections, only to up the pacing with solid aggression.

Groovy guitars and heavy drums infused into a rumble of thunder spirals. A proverbial riff craft is the tip of the iceberg, strewn with different styles and levels of skill that are staggering. “Trinity” features a mosaic of heavy riffing and technicality, you can feel the progressive elements structured and layered with an otherworldly atmosphere, leaving space for the other instruments to shine. The guitars perfectly channel the interstellar alien dimension, and it’s full of infectious riffing, displaying how Coroner captures dark cosmic themes and spacey rock solos.

The heaviness is counterbalanced with catchiness, only to unleash a full force of thrashing riffs in the next song, “Renewal”. There’s a twist of psychedelia and aggression in the tempo changes, which seems very complex and intricately cohesive; the composition is breathtaking, representing the signature style of these Swiss musicians. The high-pitched black metal screams are ominous and driven with ferocity; the quality never lessens, the sonic momentum, dark guitar hooks, and raging grooves are brilliantly conveyed throughout the album.

Links