ALBUM REVIEW: Krüller – Author & Punisher

One-man industrial metal band AUTHOR & PUNISHER brings a whole new meaning to the idea of ‘do it yourself’. The brainchild of former mechanical engineer Tristan Shone, not only does the project see him play practically everything himself, but he also largely uses instruments of his own making. It’s a unique, complex proposition, with Shone‘s live set-up often resembling some kind of sinister trap from a Saw movie. None of this would really matter though if the music itself wasn’t good, which, fortunately, it is. 2018 saw Shone make his Relapse Records debut with Beastland, his eighth and arguably most accomplished studio album to date. Now, he’s back with Krüller – a significantly longer record than its predecessor that seeks to give his musical machinations yet another upgrade.

First thing’s first, and completely unsurprisingly of course, this record sounds incredible. From its towering, mechanical percussion, to its gigantic VANGELIS-esque synths, Shone‘s attention to sound design is impeccable. For the most part, this results in a record of hulking and menacing weight – as though you can feel the grind and the motion of the machines behind it – but there are moments of more dream-like etherealism here too. Opener Drone Carrying Dread provides a great example of just how arresting this balance can be. It sets the tone of the record brilliantly, with a glacial groove sitting beneath full-bodied pads and sparkling synth lines. Recent single Maiden Star shines too. This one’s dreamier still – shoegazey even – with Shone’s melodic vocals supported by rich harmonies provided by his wife Marilia.

As well as his wife, Shone turns to a few other guests for collaboration on Krüller. For example, third track Centurion features bassist Justin Chancellor of TOOL. It’s one of the record’s moodiest and most menacing cuts, with Chancellor’s rumbling bass backing a sneering determination shown in lyrics like “If you feel like you can’t stand, get up and fucking run”. Later, Chancellor’s bandmate Danny Carey shows up to lend his drumming talents to fifth track Misery. Ever the professional, Carey keeps things steady here, leaning heavily into the track’s sense of pocket and groove. His playing becomes more intricate as the song goes on, accentuating its growing stomp with plenty of his trademark fills.

Also of interest is the album’s sixth track, a cover of the PORTISHEAD classic Glorybox. With its moody groove and dreamy vocals, it’s an obvious enough choice for AUTHOR & PUNISHER, especially on this record. Structurally speaking Shone plays it pretty straight, but he does add a perhaps expected industrial weight to this version. His manager Phil Sgrosso, who handles all the guitars on Krüller, gets a chance to shine here too, offering his own screeching take on the track’s iconic guitar solo. Sgrosso’s riff work is also rock solid throughout – perhaps no surprise given his regular duties in AS I LAY DYING.

With a 51-minute runtime, there is a risk that Krüller’s impact dulls just a little as the album goes on. If that is the case though, it’s only ever so slightly. This is a sumptuous and richly-detailed record that definitely benefits from repeated listens. It’s often crushingly heavy and yet never day-ruiningly oppressive, and crucially boasts perhaps a surprising amount of melody. All told, it marks a triumphant ninth outing for one of the most uniquely fascinating minds in alternative music today.

Rating: 8/10

Krüller is set for release on February 11th via Relapse Records.

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