Review by Darshun
July 4th 2015, Complex, Glendale CA: San Diego-based one-man industrial doom innovator Tristan Shone, a.k.a. Author & Punisher, released a stellar new album called ‘Melk En Honing’ to mark his Housecore Records debut in June 2015, a few days after, played a show at Complex in Glendale CA along with opening acts Baseck and Wire Werewolves, to celebrate the release and present the new material to his ever-growing legion of Los Angeles fans. Our writer Darshun was on sie to review the show for us.
Baseck: Extreme drum n bass. There were a few metallers that were being lulled to sleep, the sounds piqued my interest though. Looking at Baseck (one dude) manning his table filled with gadgets he managed to get his fans dancing. If I were inebriated in my ole days I’d probably bust out in interpretative dance. Definitely interesting though, and there were a few people dancing to the music. Glad that this type of EDM exists, because the mainstream stuff bores me.
Wire Werewolves: A pleasant surprise to see that these guys are still performing. I saw these gentlemen perform at the Relax Bar a long time ago. Instrumental industrial doom by Jeremy Skinner and Jay Howard — both play guitars, operate keyboards and drum type sequencers. There were interesting samples used throughout the set and of course the drum sampler was overpowering. The guitars were buried in the mix and I wore my earplugs which made the guitars more transparent during their set. I could tell that the guitars were tuned down to a super low level, probably which contributed to the inaudibleness of the guitars in the mix. The crowd was into it with their heads bobbing to the drum sequencer. This duo definitely have some good riffs in their songs and I’m anxious to hear their demo/album that they were handing out last night.
Author & Punisher: Tristan Shone is a one-man army behind his many mechanically fused instruments. He definitely impressed a lot of people at Psycho California in between sets for all three days — that was quite a feat. But last night at the Complex it was his turn to shine for roughly an hour length of time for his set. I had heard his album stream recently of his newest release “Melk En Honing,” which was produced by Phil Anselmo (Pantera, Down, Superjoint Ritual) and was released last week Tuesday (June 30th) on Phil’s label Housecore Records. What a great record, and most of the songs or movements at this show were from the new album. Witnessing the whole set, it was like a seamless transition into the next song. His “drone machines” are one of a kind and produce sounds like no other instrument can replicate. Entirely on his own accord, he designed these instruments for the sole purpose of creating the heaviest industrial doom ever. The visuals added an additional depth to the music which was superb. I’m hoping that Author & Punisher’s new album will garner attention from a wider audience.