The Classic Metal Album Reviews:
Title: Punishment for Decadence
Artist: Coroner
Label:Noise Records
Release Date: 1988

Rating: 4 Skulls
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    • Reviewed by Solomon:
    As one thrash/speed metal band among many in the heyday of the 80's, Coroner managed to find their own niche. The novelty of being a Swiss act was one thing, Celtic Frost being the only other major metal act coming from the land of cheese and neutrality that comes to my mind, although I,m sure uptight "correctors" out there have a list a mile long to present. Also, it was a rather nifty thing at the time that a band of this type would choose to do Jimi Hendrix and Beatles cover tunes ["Purple Haze" off this release, "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" from Mental Vortex]. Made them almost "commercial"Sumalmost. Ron Royce stands out as one of thrash's great vocalists, not particularly for his exquisite "range," but for his one-of-a-kind snarl that spelled "business, motherfucker." Put that altogether with a nasally, bee-hive guitar tone and a hyperactive/neo-prog approach to thrash and Coroner were really a stand-out extreme act.

    As for Punishment, you gotta love the cover by itself. A very "metal" portrait, a skeleton caressing a "bone" violin, a symbol of metal's fusion of art and anarchy. It's been a while since I've listened to this band, and this is honestly the first time I,ve actually gone through this entire record. I remember seeing the video to "Masked Jackal" on MTV and not really thinking twice about it, but hearing "Skeleton On Your Shoulder" on late-night radio had me hooked. I still think this is the best track on the album, a great acoustic intro followed by the crunch from hell, but the dissonant groove of "Sudden Fall" is also noteworthy. The "Purple Haze" cover is almost cheese, but you gotta give them some credit for attempting to thrash-ify that holy grail. Coroner is a must-hear for anyone researching the golden years of speed, and Punishment is no exception.
    4 out of 5

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