Thrash metal is an entirely different entity than it was in its heyday more than 30 years ago. In fact, other than the bands that were making the sound what it was at that time, there hasn’t been a lot of forward motion in this sub-genre. It’s been passed by, in a sense, with death, doom, and black metal taking charge and providing sounds more relevant to the chaos that faces us now.

Swiss thrashers Coroner did help formulate this sound, adding more technical and frostier notes to the art form, and on their comeback album “Dissonance Theory,” they put to rest whether this arm of metal remains relevant. Their first record in 32 years (the last was 1993’s “Grin”) is an open mouth into hell, a volatile, devastating, and much-needed reminder of what thrash can be and just how sharp its teeth are. Over 10 tracks and 47 minutes, the band—vocalist/guitarist Ron Royce, guitarist Tommy T. Baron, and new drummer Diego Rappachietti—pours power and vitriol into their work, but they also advance their boundaries a bit. Yeah, thrash is the base, but so is ferocity, and the continual progression of their aggression into meaner and deadlier forms make for an album that’ll tear your head clean off.   

“Oxymoron” opens and is a quick instrumental, sitting in a haze of creaks and whispers, squeezing into “Consequence” that gives you a real taste of what’s ahead, which is brutality. Riffs encircle as the pace properly mashes, feeling like they’ve purposely upped the ante. Royce’s howls snarl, feeling animalistic, while the chorus wraps around you. “No fun, no fun,” he wails, “This is no fun,” as the band swings back, making you think they actually are enjoying this pasting. “Sacrificial Lamb” starts in the shadows before trudging forward, Royce prodding, “Did I not make myself clear? Did I not warn repeatedly? These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them,” tongue dug into cheek. The savagery continue as the drums rivet, the guitars knife, and the soloing bursts from the seams. “I will come to redeem you,” Royce wails as everything thunders before bleeding away. “Crisium Bound” opens in a guitar fog before swinging hammers, battering as the howls smoke and the chorus crushes. The playing dips into cold, mystical waters before the soloing takes charge and commands, Royce insisting, “I become fire.” “Symmetry” is speedy as hell, the vocals taking direct aim, though I did flinch a little at the use of the word “peek-a-boo,” so there’s that. Otherwise, this is total ferocity, fluid leads gushing, howls carving, Royce calling, “Measure of all things — iste ego sum.”

“The Law” starts cleaner before the thrust pushes you back, though the pace is a little less harsh, though just as heated. Nasty howls tangle with gray melodies, the leads pulling into the edge of the fog. An airy chorus uplifts while the blistering returns for a spell, ending everything in tingling mystery. “Transparent Eye” has guitars stabbing, a hulking force dragging, and weird warps that buckle your sanity. Synth mixes in as the scene grows more atmospheric, brutality following closely behind, Royce wailing, “I am, I am part!” “Trinity” drips in with wiry riffs and Royce howling, “One lunatic, one madman is all it takes.” Isn’t that the fucking truth? The playing pummels as guitars rip, and even a darkening cloud coverage can’t obscure the anger and discontent, sinewy power capturing you and robbing you of air. “Renewal” stomps mercilessly, barked vocals making flesh crawl, rubbery riffs wrapping around your psyche. The ground quakes as Royce commands, “You gotta take what remains, brace yourself, steel yourself, be the harvester,” which should chill you. The playing combusts, atmosphere pushing conflicting winds toward riffs that loop viciously, smashing into instrumental closer “Prolonging” that basks in organs, a jazzy ambiance, and spirited sound smears. Light pokes holes through the ceiling as everything comes to a quiet, yet crumbling end as the echo of “What remains?” circles in your brain.

Coroner absolutely destroy expectations on “Dissonance Theory,” an album heavier and nastier than anyone had a right to expect. It’s been more than three decades away from the studio, yet these thrash legends not only added new life to their own mission, but they managed to forge their way into the future, proving their message and sound resonate. This was one of my most anticipated records of the year, and it delivers so hard that instead of listening to me, go listen to them and get utterly ravaged.

For more on the band, go here: https://coronerofficial.com/

To buy the album (U.S.), go here: https://centurymedia.store/

Or here (Europe): https://www.cmdistro.de/

For more on the label, go here: https://www.centurymedia.com/