Coroner Pronounced “Live and Well” at The Earl
By Scott “It’s Alive” Belzer | March 5th, 2024
Coroner? I hardly know’er!
Haha. Hm.
Now that that’s out of the way, it’s high time to get hype for one of this year’s most anticipated metal-with-a-capital-“M” barnstormers: CORONER and DECEASED at The Earl. That’s right folks, the Swiss tech thrash legends are paying a long overdue visit to Atlanta with a death metal genre giant in toe. To really push the envelope, these maniacs are letting Atlanta’s own stalwarts, SADISTIC RITUAL open things up on March 20 at The Earl. It’s Mr. Nasty time. Stop your grinnin’ and drop your linen.
Like most bands with careers spanning over four decades, reducing Coroner’s sound down to “tech thrash” hardly does the trio justice. It’s a whirlwind of virtuosity. A cavalcade of melody. A procession of riffs that doesn’t ease up. Like a tropical torrential downpour, most of Coroner’s guitar licks and bass flourishes speed up, build upon one another, and get even more heavy. Just when you didn’t think there could possibly be another note, another note awaits. Think Atheist, but Swiss.
Most thrash or thrash adjacent bands handle this approach clumsily. A barrage of sound runs the risk of getting overtly technical—often to the point of wankery. But you don’t obtain a 40-year career and achieve cult status by relying on self-flagellation and tired tricks.
From Coroner’s first full length—the buzzing, tone-genius monster, R.I.P. from 1987—to the band’s last true record—1993’s atmospheric, borderline proggy Grin—it’s obvious the band places cohesion above all else. There’s hella guitar riffs from maestro Tommy Baron (who’s chugging and leading at the same time), sure, but they don’t overpower skills being showcased by bassist/vocalist Ron Royce (who’s noodling is straight up hypnotic) or the constantly changing rhythms of drummer(s) Marquis Marky/Diego Rappachietti. Given the complexity of most of Coroner’s output, it’s obvious these lads have been cohesively Coroner-ing for quite some time. But don’t worry, there’s face-melting guitar solos aplenty for you freaks seeking singularity with the guitar gods. Baron’s quite the maestro, as demonstrated on “Masked Jackal,” “Arc-Lite,” and even a cheeky cover of “Purple Haze” (all on the 1988 sophomore album Punishment for Decadence). Personally, I’m too wrapped up in the bass clinic being put on by Royce to be arsed—or stampeding around my immediate vicinity shouting, “THE RIFFS, THE RIFFS,” at my cats, friends, loved ones, wall art or strangers. You have to hand it to old school bands – no one is drowned out in the mix. You can hear absolutely everyone and everything. It’s magic. As Huey Lewis & The News once eloquently put it, that’s the power of Coroner.
Much like the previously mentioned Atheist, Coroner’s potential was quite obvious wayyy-back-when, and it certainly came to fruition. Any appreciator of old school death metal is sure to pick up what Coroner’s putting down, specifically fans of Atheist, Voivod and Annihilator. There’s something for everyone amid the band’s relatively limited output, so get to listening, marauding and ravaging before March 20, you sickos:
- R.I.P. (1987)
- Punishment for Decadence (1988)
- No More Color (1989)
- Mental Vortex (1991)
- Grin (1993)
The fact DECEASED is joining Coroner transforms this bash of brutality into a real occasion. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, the fact these gents are still slinging riffs and releasing albums about the eternal beyond is a goddamn privilege to acknowledge. I’ve put this far more eloquently to celebrate their most recent release, Children of the Morgue, so keep your reading glasses on a bit longer and check that out.
SADISTIC RITUAL is one of Atlanta’s great metal bands, and it’s always a pleasure to see them annihilate audiences. Their inclusion on this bill makes it a night not to be missed. Just be sure to stretch that neck, take your tums and ask your partner, roommate, cats, wall art not to wait up for you – there’s headbanging and partyin’ to be done.
CORONER, DECEASED, and SADISTIC RITUAL are invading The Earl on Thursday, March 20. Grab your tickets now!
-Scott Belzer