I’m trying hard to remember when I first heard Author and Punisher. I’m going to say it was between Women and Children from 2013 and Beastland… 2018 sounds about right. Anyway, it’s been a minute, and when I saw that they were releasing a new album, I had to pick my jaw off the floor. I mean, fuck yeah.

Author and Punisher are unbelievably heavy, and their approach to this heaviness is metered out not with blast beats, but with a big fucking cannon of riffs and earthshaking bass and drums. I’m not actually sure how it all translates into the often-peaceful hobby of birdwatching. Tristan Shone, the main guy behind the chaos, has taken the songs of the birds and set it to a soundtrack of brutal, sonic violence. How the fuck did he do it? No clue, but when you’re pumping out music this merciless, does it really matter how he did it? Like, seriously, folks.

The first track starts off with some quaint birdsong and light, clean vocals over some brooding guitars, and the backbreaking “Meadowlark” grabs you by the booboo and then shakes you like a deranged kid with their favorite toy. It doesn’t rely on blitzkrieg speed to do this either. Such is its power.

“Titanis” starts off with some killer drum patterns that are clearly played by an alien (not really) but the track does feature Indonesian artist Kuntari and is one of my favorite tracks on Nocturnal Birding. “Mute Swan” is anything but, don’t let the title fool you, because even though it starts off nice and mellow, it explodes mid-track and rides this wave of destruction. Friends and neighbors, this might be the most violent release this year.

“Black Storm Petrel” bursts out with an electrical storm of distortion that sounds like a robot being tortured. It moves forward like a Neanderthal with knuckle-dragging determination. Sunn 0))) will blush with how fucking heavy this one song is, a crescendo of brutality that you feel rather than hear. The same goes for “Titmouse” which starts with a savage riff that gives way to a mid-paced brutalizer. Author and Punisher are out to hurt you, disfigure your eardrums, and turn your brain into a bubbling mass of goo. “Titmice” is the haunting second half of “Titmouse” and it’s more of a Death Metal track, the closest to one off of Nocturnal Birding.

The production on Nocturnal Birding is stellar. This album is like a rebirth of sorts; in 2024 Tristan Shone celebrated 20 years since their inception. I envision a montage with dusting off equipment and studio preparation; it probably didn’t happen like that, but whatever.

“Rook” and “Thrush” are the final two, and goddamn, they’re just earthshakingly heavy. This album has to be the most violent ode to birdwatching that I’ve ever heard. I know that for certain, and there are moments on this album where I just sat and let my head bob with the rhythm.

Bottom line is that Nocturnal Birding is the perfect soundtrack for the downfall of civilization. It’s a powerful album that commands your attention from start to finish. People who worship Godflesh, the mighty Sun 0))) and Throbbing Gristle, Skinny Puppy… you’ll be happy as a bird in a bush. Get this motherfucker now.

[Visit the band's website]

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