Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 05/10/2018
Label: Relapse Records
The savagery does not dilute in the presence of
melody, and instead, it complements the moments of pure mayhem that are indeed
present throughout.
2. Nihil Strength
3. Ode to Bedlam
4. The Speaker is Systematically Blown
5. Nazarene
6. Apparition
7. Night Terror
8. Beastland
6. Apparition
7. Night Terror
8. Beastland
There
is no artist in the world quite like Author & Punisher. One may accuse such a
statement of hyperbole or ignorance, but when one analyses the character of the
man and the nature of his work, it is clear such art is being made without
relevant precedent. Aesthetically there is influence from Godflesh, Nine Inch Nails and Throbbing
Gristle, but even those bands feel entirely distant from what Stone
is producing. While the project can be loosely defined as a ‘one-man industrial
doom metal band’, when one discovers the story behind it and the music being
produced, this feels woefully lacking.
Tristan
Stone, the brainchild ofA&P
, is not just a musician, but also a mechanical engineer.
This may sound like unnecessary trivia, but it is important to bear in mind when
listening to this album. The majority of the instrumentation and controllers he
uses, affectionally labeled "Dub Machines" and "Drone
Machines", are designed and constructed by Shone from raw materials and
electronic circuitry. This level of individualism scares off pretenders, who
are simply incapable of recreating it. His live performances employ the same
tools, and visually it barelen resembles a musical recital.
“Beastland” is his 6th studio album,
but it was only on his album “Melk En Honing” when the music world
at large appeared to finally take notice. While it is evident that the metal
community has been far more welcoming of Author & Punisher than experimental music
circles, he is just at home in both. A guest appearance on Cattle Decapitation’s 2015
effort “The Anthropocene Extinction” endeared him and signing to Phil
Anselmo’s Housecore
Records endeared him further to metal fans, to the point where Relapse Records
took notice and employed him on their roster 2 years ago. Following up “Melk
En Honing” was no easy task, and many feared that A&P, like their influences,
was doomed to fall into repetition and not explore the necessary frontiers
However, on this album, perhaps with the confidence that comes with the backing of a cult fanbase, Author & Punisher has strode into even more experimental territory. This is the most wildly diverse album he’s released thus far, and for that reason, it is also his finest achievement. Music of this nature can wear on one’s psyche upon repeated, unrelenting listens. However, “Beastland”, with its refreshing experimentation and unwillingness to compromise, cures this ill. While there are plenty of ‘home comforts’ (for lack of a better term) present here, with such songs as “Pharmacide”, “Nihil Strength” and “Night Terror” providing the unrelenting, atonal bludgeoning fans have grown so dependent on, A&P remains unafraid to explore new horizons. “Apparition” and “The System Has Systematically Blown” sees Stone channelling his inner Trent Reznor, as his will for arcane melody bleeds through to the surface. This is the closest they have come to replicating the style of another band, and it would possibly prove problematic to fans, was it not done to such a marvellous standard. The savagery does not dilute in the presence of melody, and instead, it complements the moments of pure mayhem that are indeed present throughout.
This album is also the most complete work in his discography: never before has he released a collection as all-encompassing with as an impressive a scope as here. From the opening crushing moments of “Pharmacide”, likely to liquidize your teeth if listened to at too unforgiving a volume, to the closing moments of the title track, an angular and alluring finale, the album drags you through a merciless nightmare, meticulously engineered by Stone. In the past, he has shown promise of such accomplished creativity, but all his past works pale in comparison to what has been done here.
“Beastland” is available HERE
However, on this album, perhaps with the confidence that comes with the backing of a cult fanbase, Author & Punisher has strode into even more experimental territory. This is the most wildly diverse album he’s released thus far, and for that reason, it is also his finest achievement. Music of this nature can wear on one’s psyche upon repeated, unrelenting listens. However, “Beastland”, with its refreshing experimentation and unwillingness to compromise, cures this ill. While there are plenty of ‘home comforts’ (for lack of a better term) present here, with such songs as “Pharmacide”, “Nihil Strength” and “Night Terror” providing the unrelenting, atonal bludgeoning fans have grown so dependent on, A&P remains unafraid to explore new horizons. “Apparition” and “The System Has Systematically Blown” sees Stone channelling his inner Trent Reznor, as his will for arcane melody bleeds through to the surface. This is the closest they have come to replicating the style of another band, and it would possibly prove problematic to fans, was it not done to such a marvellous standard. The savagery does not dilute in the presence of melody, and instead, it complements the moments of pure mayhem that are indeed present throughout.
This album is also the most complete work in his discography: never before has he released a collection as all-encompassing with as an impressive a scope as here. From the opening crushing moments of “Pharmacide”, likely to liquidize your teeth if listened to at too unforgiving a volume, to the closing moments of the title track, an angular and alluring finale, the album drags you through a merciless nightmare, meticulously engineered by Stone. In the past, he has shown promise of such accomplished creativity, but all his past works pale in comparison to what has been done here.
Author &
Punisher
remain one of the most exciting acts in underground music, and it is only a
matter of time before the world at large acknowledges the importance of his
work. Whether it be in our lifetime or simply in the coming years, let it be
known that Tristan Stone will receive the praise he deserves beyond his
existing community, and “Beastland” is all the proof
necessary.
“Beastland” is available HERE
