Oct – Nov 2025 – Absolute Underground TV / Magazine
w/ Visitant – Exitus Stratagem Records, Ancient Thrones, Ivy Gardens, Harvested, Phaeton, Little King, #ashesofthesun, The Fixer, Unpunished, Devolver
https://absoluteunderground.tv/absolute-underground-magazine-issue-126/
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – September 4, 2025
Streaming Now! Quebec’s UNPUNISHED’s New EP Gives You An Aggressive Lesson In “Echoes of History”
Quebec Tour Dates (Quebec City, Trois-Rivieres, Montreal)
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L-R – Pierre-Luc Defoy (Guitar, Back Vocals), Jean-Christophe Magnan (Vocals), Alex Brochu-Meloche (Bass, Back Vocals), Justin Lefebvre (Drums), Dean Pavicic (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Julien Bouffard
Circle pitting the Quebec City metal scene and becoming a leading tour de force, Unpunished unleashes an aggressive metalcore lesson with their new EP “Echoes of History,” dropping this Friday, September 5th, 2025. Before its official release, the quintet has teamed up with Bravewords for a full stream premiere HERE.
“Echoes of History,” our second EP, took over two years to create, shaped by personal challenges and creative differences. With diverse musical influences, we struggled to agree on direction—but that tension gave rise to a unique sound. Unpunished aims to avoid formulaic songwriting, crafting each track to evoke distinct moods and emotions. The EP blends 2000s metalcore roots, melodeath-inspired riffs, and vocals ranging from melodic to deathcore breakdowns,” adds vocalist Jean-Christophe Magnan.
Produced by Unpunished drummer Justin Lefebvre, “Echoes of History” is a powerful and emotionally charged five-track EP that explores humanity’s recurring failures and inner turmoil. Inspired by the Ouroboros and an almost-empty hourglass, the artwork symbolizes the urgent warning that time is running out as we repeat the same destructive patterns. Musically, the EP blends metalcore, melodic death metal, and deathcore, delivering intense riffs, melodic solos, and relentless energy. Lyrically, it dives into themes of betrayal, societal collapse, regret, genocide, and vengeance, each track offering a distinct emotional journey that reflects both personal and collective battles.
Recommended for fans of As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Trivium, Parkway Drive, and Bleed From Within, Unpunished‘s “Echoes of History” is available for pre-order at https://unpunished.bandcamp.com.
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/2V8YKy50wVSJ6e5B9SPwrx
Music Video – “Shattered in Disarray” – https://youtu.be/Yr5pD6tPuas
Lyric Video – “Burn the Traitors” ft. Alex Leblanc (ex-Fracturus, ex-Neuraxis, ex-Mass Murder Messiah) – https://youtu.be/uJO4s8QDxng
“As Water Fills My Lungs” – https://youtu.be/HvyJu1Mo3uk
In additional news, Unpunished will be performing a series of show dates in the province of Quebec, listed below. Fans can anticipate a tight, high-energy live performance, with a dynamic setlist that mirrors the EP’s emotional and musical range.
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Unpunished – Echoes of History EP Launch Tour w/ Concessions, Deadwood, In Disarray, Observants, Terror Symphony:
Sept 20 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti Bar – info
Sept 27 – Trois Rivieres, QC – Taverne Royale – info
Oct 10 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar – info
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Track Listing:
1. As Water Fills My Lungs – 4:49
2. Plague of Our Race – 4:39
3. Shattered in Disarray – 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
-30-
“UNPUNISHED has the aggression side of the music just right, which does help with the kind of music that the band is playing on “Echoes of History”. Plus, they know how to display it to us as listeners in a way that you can’t but help be impressed by what you hear. Even if you are not a fan of any kind of music which ends in core you will find that the 24:08 minutes of music also gives you a real Death and Thrash Metal vibe to keep you interested. And that is just what the doctor ordered, making the boundaries vague and unclear, providing the listener with enough points that will have them think towards their own likes. As for me, when I listen to a song like “Shattered in Disarray” it makes me think back to the time when IN FLAMES had their logo with a clear print. There are a few similarities.8/10” – Metal Temple
“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)
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – August 19, 2025
Quebec’s UNPUNISHED’s New Video “Shattered in Disarray” Marks Their Fierce Evolution
Sophomore EP “Echoes of History” Out Sept 2025
Quebec Tour Dates (Quebec City, Trois-Rivieres, Montreal)
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L-R – Pierre-Luc Defoy (Guitar, Back Vocals), Jean-Christophe Magnan (Vocals), Alex Brochu-Meloche (Bass, Back Vocals), Justin Lefebvre (Drums), Dean Pavicic (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Julien Bouffard
Quebec City’s rising metalcore force Unpunished returns with a gripping new single and music video, “Shattered in Disarray,” premiering exclusively on TheCirclepit. This marks the band’s third single in support of their upcoming sophomore EP, “Echoes of History,” set for release on September 5th, 2025.
Slower, darker, and emotionally raw, “Shattered in Disarray” dives deep into the psyche of someone confronting the wreckage of their own life. The song explores themes of regret, failure, and the haunting question: Is redemption still possible, or is it too late? With a melodic chorus riff and three distinct guitar solo sections, the track captures the emotional turbulence of its lyrics, inviting listeners to reflect on their own missteps and the hope of healing.
“It’s a song about realizing you’ve failed the ones you love. It’s about facing the consequences and wondering if there’s still a way out,” adds the band.
Watch and listen to “Shattered in Disarray” via TheCirclePit at https://youtu.be/Yr5pD6tPuas
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/2V8YKy50wVSJ6e5B9SPwrx
Written over two years during a period of personal upheaval for each band member, “Echoes of History”, produced by drummer Justin Lefebvre, is a testament to Unpunished’s resilience and creative evolution. The five-track EP showcases a diverse sonic palette, blending 2000s metalcore roots with melodic death metal riffs, deathcore breakdowns, and melodic choruses. Each track delivers a unique blend of emotion and musical identity, making the record a deeply immersive experience. Lyrically, the band explores human flaws, mental health, and social injustice, crafting songs that are both personal and powerful.
“We wanted each song to have its own flavor. No formulas, no repetition, just raw emotion and musical diversity,” says the band.
Drawing inspiration from metal giants like As I Lay Dying, Parkway Drive, Trivium, and The Black Dahlia Murder, Unpunished blends melodic, intense, aggressive, and diverse elements into a sound that’s unmistakably their own.
Pre-order “Echoes of History” (out Sept 5th) at https://unpunished.bandcamp.com.
Previous Singles:
Lyric Video – “Burn the Traitors” ft. Alex Leblanc (ex-Fracturus, ex-Neuraxis, ex-Mass Murder Messiah) – https://youtu.be/uJO4s8QDxng
“As Water Fills My Lungs” – https://youtu.be/HvyJu1Mo3uk
In additional news, Unpunished will be performing a series of show dates in the province of Quebec, listed below. Fans can anticipate a tight, high-energy live performance, with a dynamic setlist that mirrors the EP’s emotional and musical range.
|
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Unpunished – Echoes of History EP Launch Tour w/ Concessions, Deadwood, In Disarray, Observants, Terror Symphony:
Sept 20 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti Bar – info
Sept 27 – Trois Rivieres, QC – Taverne Royale – info
Oct 10 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar – info
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Track Listing:
1. As Water Fills My Lungs – 4:49
2. Plague of Our Race – 4:39
3. Shattered in Disarray – 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
-30-
“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)
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – July 30, 2025
Sink or Swim w/ Quebec’s UNPUNISHED New Single “As Water Fills My Lungs”
Sophomore EP “Echoes of History” Out Sept 2025
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L-R – Justin Lefebvre (Drums), Pierre-Luc Defoy (Guitar, Back Vocals), Jean-Christophe Magnan (Vocals), Alex Brochu-Meloche (Bass, Back Vocals), Dean Pavicic (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Julien Bouffard
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/track/10pPit5oMF30orETzqQxRg
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.com.
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/hyperfollow/unpunished
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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
-30-
“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)
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – July 16, 2025
Quebec’s UNPUNISHED Ignites The Mosh Pit w/ New Single Alex Leblanc (ex-Fracturus, ex-Neuraxis, ex-Mass Murder Messiah)
Sophomore EP “Echoes of History” Out Sept 2025
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L-R – Justin Lefebvre (Drums), Pierre-Luc Defoy (Guitar, Back Vocals), Jean-Christophe Magnan (Vocals), Alex Brochu-Meloche (Bass, Back Vocals), Dean Pavicic (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Julien Bouffard
Unpunished, one of Quebec’s fiercest metalcore exports, have officially announced their second EP “Echoes of History” set to be unleashed on September 5th, 2025. A blistering five-track journey through despair, defiance, and destruction, this EP from the ferocious five-piece is ready to ignite mosh pits around the globe.
Originally formed as tribute act Tidal Wave, performing songs by Trivium and Parkway Drive, the band reinvented itself during the COVID pandemic, writing original music that blends metalcore roots with melodeath and deathcore elements. Their sound is melodic, intense, diverse, energetic, and aggressive.
“Echoes of History took us over two years to write, and each of us faced major personal challenges during that time. Sorting through dozens of demos was tough; we all have different musical tastes, which makes it hard to agree, but also gives us our unique sound,” adds the band.
Rather than follow a formula, Unpunished built each song with its own emotional journey, combining the brutality of modern death metal with the melody and groove of classic metalcore. The EP was also produced by drummer Justin Lefebvre. From its guitar tones to vocal layering, every detail reflects hours of obsession and refinement, reflecting the band’s obsession with perfection.
“We want every track to hit differently. From anxiety and despair to rage and revolt, this EP is all about movement and mood,” says the band.
Their first glimpse from their sophomore EP “Burn the Traitors” features guest vocals from Alex Leblanc (ex-Fracturus, ex-Neuraxis, ex-Mass Murder Messiah) and is the band’s most brutal song ever.
The band comments:
“It’s much more melodic death metal than metalcore, as there are no clean vocals. We wrote this as a relentless track with little place to breathe. The chorus is melodic and catchy, but without the use of clean lyrics. The solo is the slowest section of the song, as a way to catch our breath before the breakdown and final stretch of intensity. Lyrically, the theme is centered around vengeance, inflicting pain on those who betrayed, abused, and inflicted pain on their people. Remastered from its initial 2023 release, Burn the Traitors ends the EP with ferocity and leaves no one indifferent.”
Listen to “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/hyperfollow/unpunished
Unpunished prides itself on precision and passion. No ego, just relentless intensity that invites fans to scream and sweat as one. Recommended for fans of As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Trivium, Parkway Drive, and Bleed From Within, the “Echoes of History” EP pre-order (out Sept 5th) is available at https://unpunished.bandcamp.com.
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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
-30-
“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)
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
Instagram @AsherMedia
Tweet @AsherMedia
EPK – Unpunished – Echoes of History (2025)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
“We hope our new EP album will get us noticed on the local and national metal scene. We want to demonstrate that we approach music with a professional and focused mindset. We want to get listeners’ attention with a unique blend of past and modern metalcore, sprinkled with melodeath and deathcore accents. We also hope we can showcase our technical and musical abilities.
Echoes of History marks an evolution in our sound. More technicality, more brutality, but a lasting place for melodic choruses and guitar solos. Each band member grew as a writer and composer, elevating the overall quality. The first single, As water fills my lungs, deals with themes of anxiety, disease, and the fear of death. It’s a last cry for help from someone who is losing the battle against his own demons.” – Unpunished
For fans of As I Lay Dying, The Black Dahlia Murder, Trivium, Parkway Drive, Bleed From Within
Band: Unpunished
EP Title: Echoes of History
Release Date: September 5, 2025
Label: Self-Release
Facebook.com/Unpunishedband | Instagram.com/unpunished_band | Youtube.com/@unpunishedmusic9106
“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)
[Download EP Cover | Download EP Lyrics]
Band: Unpunished
EP Title: Echoes of History
Release Date: September 5, 2025
Label: Self-Release
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 – 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, backing vocals)
Pierre-Luc Defoy (guitar, backing vocals)
Dean Pavicic (guitar)
=====================================================
About EP Artwork:
The artwork for Echoes of History was inspired by the Ouroboros, an Egyptian symbol that represents the eternal cycle of time, but with an almost empty hourglass in the middle, signifying that humanity keeps repeating the same mistakes, never learns from the past, but now, time is running out and our world is about to end. The artwork serves as a final warning that humanity is doomed if it continues on this self-destructing path.
About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
A journey through many different emotions, a journey through struggles and battles. From the internal battles we all fight within ourselves, to the battles we fight openly in society.
Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
1. As Water Fills My Lungs
Musically, this track 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 an emotionally charged 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. Lyrically, the song is a journey through anger and despair. The realization of betrayal, the panic that follows, and the despair of a life ruined by those you trusted the most.
2. Plague of Our Race
This song is one of the heaviest songs we’ve ever written. Largely influenced by death metal and deathcore, it’s a song fueled by rage, disgust, and despair as it illustrates the never-ending failure of humankind to learn from history and always allowing dictators to emerge and spread chaos and death. Pummeling drums, furious riffs, a blistering guitar solo, and ferocious vocals make Plague of our race an intense ride through hell.
3. Shattered in Dissaray
Slower and darker, Shattered in disarray is the story of someone realizing he ruined his life and failed his loved ones. Will he end his life? Is there still hope to fix what’s broken? It invites the listeners to reflect on their own failures and how they could have done better. Musically, it’s focused on a very melodic chorus riff and 3 different guitar solo sections that carry the conflicting emotions of the lyrics.
4. Echoes of History
The most metalcore and melodeath influenced song of the EP, Echoes of History is a fast-paced, angry, and relentless song about the countless genocides committed through time as a ruling society seeks to annihilate another from history. Amid all the chaos, a spark of hope remains, highlighted in the bridge section, through a slow-paced riff and emotional solo. The rest of the song is musically challenging with fast riffs, drums, and vocals that give no rest to the listeners.
5. Burn the Traitors
Musically Burn the Traitors is our most brutal song ever. It’s much more melodic death metal than metalcore, as there are no clean vocals. It’s written as a relentless track with little place to breathe. The chorus is melodic and catchy, but without the use of clean lyrics. The solo is the slowest section of the song, as a way to catch our breath before the breakdown and final stretch of intensity. Lyrically, the theme is centered around vengeance, inflicting pain on those who betrayed, abused, and inflicted pain on their people. Remastered from its initial 2023 release, Burn the Traitors ends the EP with ferocity and leaves no one indifferent.
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Fun Facts – Story Angles
1. As water fills my lungs is our first single since 2023. We played it live a few times already, but we never had time to properly finish the recording. We also wanted to have our 2nd EP ready to release this song as the first single, but it took us much longer than anticipated to finish writing the EP.
2. Justin Lefebvre (drummer) is the producer on this new EP. He spent countless hours developing his production skills to the point that he was the obvious choice for us to have our drummer handle the production duties. Since Unpunished is a band of perfectionists, we spent a lot of time with Justin to develop our sound, set the guitar and bass tones, and perfect each part so we were all happy with the end result.
3. Fun fact: all the demos that are brought in by the band members usually have a silly name to make fun of J-C’s age, as he is older than everyone else by a decade. This song was a rare exception of not having a name like ‘’JC’s hip replacement surgery, ‘’JC’s Cialis overdose, ‘’JC’s last colored pubic hair, etc. The first title of this song was ‘’NYYEEEAAA’’, or else known as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous scream. Dean initially added a clip of this famous Arnold scream at the beginning of the demo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BdaywIhVeI
L-R – Justin Lefebvre (Drums), Pierre-Luc Defoy (Guitar, Back Vocals), Jean-Christophe Magnan (Vocals), Alex Brochu-Meloche (Bass, Back Vocals), Dean Pavicic (Guitar)
Photo Credit – Julien Bouffard
“Echoes of History took us over two years to write, and each of us faced major personal challenges during that time. Sorting through dozens of demos was tough; we all have different musical tastes, which makes it hard to agree, but also gives us our unique sound,” adds the band.
Rather than follow a formula, Unpunished built each song with its own emotional journey, combining the brutality of modern death metal with the melody and groove of classic metalcore. The EP was also produced by drummer Justin Lefebvre. From its guitar tones to vocal layering, every detail reflects hours of obsession and refinement, reflecting the band’s obsession with perfection.
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