Author and Punisher’s performance at the Meadows venue in Brooklyn, NY was something metal dreams are made of. Giving the true grit and essence of what “metal” music is characterized as, Author and Punisher creates his own anamorphic instruments that extend along his body. Creating a blurred line between what is the person and the music, he fuses himself into the instrument. Tristan Shone, originally a mechanical engineer, found it difficult to find an electric instrument that could replicate the deeper hardcore sound he was looking for. Taking matters into his own hands he built a “music machine,” a device utilizing his mechanical engineering knowledge to comprise an extensive complicated noise machine with various sliders and drums. You can hear the weight of the drums as he physically moves his hand to create the raw effect of a drum. The tactile element of the music adds to the feeling, a real weight that is crushing in your stomach as the repetition moves further and further along.

Coming into the Meadows venue, the crowd anxiously awaited the performance of a lifetime. As Author and Punisher came onto stage it felt like a treat for all involved. There was no grueling feeling of any song being the least favorite, or a miss. As the lines blurred between each of the songs, one continuous string of mechanical noise felt supremely unique and cohesive. The audience stood in unwavering admiration, a beaming look on metal heads’ eyes as they got to bear witness to something that can only be described as musical history in the making.

Author and Punisher had another guitarist accompany him onstage. Shone has explained many times that he felt as if he could not find a suitable partner to create a band with, making the sound he craved to create. As he took matters into his own hands and got further along in his exploration, he found that he couldn’t create the sound he needed to live being completely reliant on his own hands. As the machine demands his full physical capacity, he couldn’t add the guitar or any other string instrument without using a pre recorded tape, which takes away from the live effects of the show. Managing this, Shone will occasionally be accompanied by another musician. At the show in Meadows a lanky guitarist added to the brilliance of the performance, never missing a beat and strumming along with attitude, perfectly capturing the doom sound of Author and Punisher.

The openers Morne, and Glassing primed the audience for the performance of a century with their own heavy sounds. Author and Punisher neatly stuck out because of the unique instruments that cut the edge of the already sharp atmosphere. Shone relies on his own hands and devices. He creates an ideal sense of metal music that has a sharp concentration, cutting through the fluff of scores and melodies relayed repeatedly. Author and Punisher is an incredible band and have redefined the genre, Shone himself has managed to raise the bar and will continuously do so.

Setlist

1. Drone Carrying Dread
2. Incinerator
3. Glory Box
4. Pharmacide
5. Maiden Star
6. Misery
7. Nihil Strength
8. Terrorbird

All photos by Aldi Victoria.