One of Quebec City’s rising metal forces, Unpunished, has dropped their emotionally charged new single, “As Water Fills My Lungs,” the second track to be unveiled from their upcoming EP, “Echoes of History,” set to arrive on September 5, 2025. The track marks a pivotal moment in the band’s evolution, blending melodic intensity with brutal honesty and setting the tone for what promises to be one of the most compelling underground metal releases of the year.
Originally tested live in 2023, Unpunished took an unconventional approach, refining the track based on fan feedback before heading into the studio. The result is a song that is a visceral journey through betrayal, anxiety, and despair. The opening track of the EP, “As Water Fills My Lungs,” weaves hauntingly melodic choruses with relentless, high-intensity verses, building toward a cathartic breakdown that grips listeners and refuses to let go.
The band adds:
“This song revolves around a very melodic chorus that carries a lot of emotions. The verses put emphasis on fast guitars and drums that carry a feeling of anger. The bridge section offers a moment of rest as a heart-wrenching guitar solo and highly melodic vocals take the lead. A breakdown then brings the emotional culmination of the song, followed by one last chorus and a pummeling end part.”
Listen to “As Water Fills My Lungs” at the following links:
YouTube – https://youtu.be/HvyJu1Mo3uk
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/
Produced by drummer Justin Lefebvre, “Echoes of History” marks the band’s second release and a bold evolution in their sound, from richer guitar tones to intricately layered vocals. The album is the result of two years of intense craftsmanship, with every nuance reflecting their unwavering commitment to perfection and their resistance to formulaic songwriting. Each track delivers a unique blend of emotion and musical identity, making the record a deeply immersive experience.
“We wanted this record to reflect that emotional descent—melodic yet aggressive, technical yet raw. It’s a last cry for help from someone losing the battle against his demons,” adds vocalist Jean-Christophe Magnan.
Channeling pure precision, raw passion, and unrelenting energy that pulls fans into a collective frenzy of screams and sweat, Unpunished is recommended for fans of As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Trivium, Parkway Drive, and Bleed From Within.
Pre-order “Echoes of History” (out Sept 5th) at https://unpunished.bandcamp.
First single – “Burn the Traitors” featuring guest vocals from Alex Leblanc (ex-Fracturus, ex-Neuraxis, ex-Mass Murder Messiah) at the following links:
Lyric Video – https://youtu.be/uJO4s8QDxng
Digital – https://distrokid.com/
 |
Track Listing:
1. As Water Fills My Lungs – 4:49
2. Plague of Our Race – 4:39
3. Shattered in Dissaray – 5:06
4. Echoes of History – 4:52
5. Burn the Traitors ft. Alex Leblanc – 4:38
EP Length: 24:06
Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Unpunished
• All songs written by: Unpunished
• Produced, mixed, and mastered by: Justin Lefebvre
• Album Artwork by: I And I Art
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)
EP Recording and Live Line Up:
Jean-Christophe Magnan (vocals)
Justin Lefebvre (drums)
Alex Brochu-Meloche (bass, back vocals)
Pierre-Luc Defoy (guitar, backing vocals)
Dean Pavicic (guitar)
More info: Facebook.com/Unpunishedband | Instagram.com/unpunished_band
“UNPUNISHED Ignites Metalcore Scene with New Single “Burn the Traitors”… “Burn the Traitors” showcases guest vocalist Alex Leblanc, enhancing the track with his formidable experience. UNPUNISHED describes this single as their most brutal offering yet, leaning heavily into melodic death metal territory, devoid of clean vocals. The relentless intensity is punctuated by a captivating, melodic chorus and a strategically paced guitar solo, offering listeners a brief respite before plunging into the explosive climax.- See Rock Live
“Le groupe de metalcore qui contient des sonorités de deathcore et death metal, Unpunished, a dévoilé une couleur plus agressive avec son nouvel extrait ¨Burn The Traitors¨, titre qui est collaboré au niveau vocal par Alex Leblanc de Fracturus (Ancien Mass Murder Messiah / Neuraxis).” – Grizzly Media
“It’s all this musical baggage that Alex Leblanc (Fracturus, ex-Mass Murder Messiah, ex-Neuraxis) brings to this new song UNPUNISHED. As a collaborator, of course, but he allows us to give another dimension to their sound which leans more towards melodic death this time. The intensity of the song growl from Jean-Christophe Magnan takes up much more space and gives new weapons to UNPUNISHED. At times we feel like we have a mix between Amon Amarth, Soilwork and Killswitch Engage. To discover!” – Metal Universe (2023 – Burn the Traitors – single)
“Unpunished comes to us with an EP that will please fans of metalcore from the good years combined with the more modern melodic side. The vocal playing between clear and « growl » is effective, especially on the title track « Shadows And Dust ». The guitar riffs are eye-catching and that’s one of the things that introduced me to metalcore in the mid-2000s, and we’re well served with this EP. They knew how to bring their personal touch to their influences, and that is what makes « Shadows And Dust» so effective.” – Metal Universe (2022 – Shadows and Dust EP)
Add Comment