Industrial juggernaut Author & Punisherhas an album coming out in a week titled Nocturnal Birding. Everything we’ve heard of it thus far is heavy, oppressive, and atmospheric and the album’s final pre-release single “Thrush” falls right in line with that description.
With this being the solo act’s first new release since 2022’s Krüller, it’s an exciting time to hear new music from Author & Punisher. For those that don’t know, Author & Punisher is a one-man act run by composer, vocalist and mechanical engineer Tristan Shone. Occasionally he’ll bring in another artist to contribute to a song here and there, but for the most part, it’s just one dude making some awesome noise.
With the album’s release so close, Shone spoke in depth about “Thrush” and what went into it.
“This song is really the epitome of this album. When I heard the wood thrush song, it immediately made me think of Neurosis or Jesu…the melodic heart wrenching tracks like The Last You’ll Know. The Wood Thrush made this one easy for me: I just followed the chord progression of the bird exactly.
“I reached out to Lucile because I found her tattoo artwork and really loved the medieval style mixed with some Elden Ring vibes. Over the next 8 months we forged an artistic relationship that resulted in the beautiful album artwork and video. Alongside creative partner Arnaud Fournier, the two have made an epic work that elevates the song. I think I will cry when I play this live first (like when I first played The Barge or Glorybox) because it is really songs like this that drive me to keep making music.”
Nocturnal Birdingwill be released on October 3 via Relapse Records, but you canpreorder your copy today.
NOCTURNAL BIRDING TRACKLIST:
- Meadowlark
- Titanis (ft. Kuntari)
- Mute Swan (ft. Megan Oztrosits of Couch Slut)
- Black Storm Petrel (ft. Fange)
- Titmouse
- Titmice
- Rook
- Thrush
