When Cold Steel dropped Deeper Into Greater Pain, it felt like a flawless statement of intent: a band perfectly fused razor-sharp precision with raw, destructive energy. Every riff landed like a punch, every breakdown detonated with brutal force, and the chemistry between guitars, drums, and vocals was undeniable. That EP wasn’t just great hardcore—it was a benchmark, the kind of record that made a scene stop and take notice.

Discipline and Punish, the band’s new full-length, takes a very different path. Heavier, more experimental, and decidedly uneven, it demonstrates the band’s ambition but also highlights the challenges of stretching their identity. This is a band testing textures, tempos, and atmospheres in ways that sometimes dilute the immediacy that made their EP so electrifying.

The album opens with “No Escape,” signaling a tonal shift right away. The thrash-tinged intro and grinding chugs establish a colder, more deliberate mood. It’s heavy and punishing, but the energy feels measured—as if Cold Steel is restraining the explosive force that defined their earlier work. “Protocol” restores some of the familiar crossover intensity, with tight, thrashy riffs and pounding drums, though even here, the groove occasionally feels rigid rather than instinctive.

Early tracks like “Front to Enemy” and “Blacksmith of Damnation” showcase flashes of the band’s trademark aggression, particularly with guest vocals from Aaron Heard (Jesus Piece) adding extra punch. The riffs are solid, the breakdowns thunderous, but the songs often feel calculated, lacking the raw spontaneity that made the EP cuts so memorable. Yet there are moments of inspired experimentation: the closing section of “Blacksmith of Damnation,” with its almost jazz-like groove and metallic, anvil-like hits, is unexpected, bold, and strangely satisfying.

The second half of the album is where Cold Steel truly finds its stride. “Killing Season” balances old-school crossover fury with rhythmic innovation, riffs locking in tightly and drums grooving with newfound fluidity. For the first time, the band feels fully in command, comfortable in their expanded sonic vision. “Vantage Point” escalates the intensity further, with crisp production and a massive, deceptive breakdown that delivers pure Cold Steel chaos.

From there, the album ventures into darker, more atmospheric territory. Tracks like “Return to Agony” and “Fever Dreaming” experiment with alternative textures, layered vocals, haunting synths, and even female backing lines. This is cinematic, almost otherworldly hardcore—an emotional depth the band has never explored before. The closing tracks, “Smoking Mirrors” and “The Coldest Death,” fully embrace this adventurous streak, combining trap-inspired beats, ambient sirens, violins, and drawn-out, doom-like breakdowns. The finale is ambitious, sprawling, and occasionally uneven, yet it underscores the band’s willingness to push boundaries.

Discipline and Punish is not the airtight, instant-hit machine that Deeper Into Greater Pain was. It’s looser, more self-conscious, and at times falters in its execution. But it’s also brave—a record that captures a band willing to dismantle their own blueprint and explore new creative territories. Where the EP thrived on instinct, this album thrives on exploration, tension, and the occasional surprise.

Cold Steel may not have topped their earlier masterpiece yet, but Discipline and Punish proves they are far from content repeating themselves. It’s imperfect, restless, and uneven, but its ambition burns brightly. This is the sound of a band evolving—taking risks, embracing experimentation, and doing so with honesty and intensity.

Verdict: A daring, sometimes uneven evolution that showcases Cold Steel’s willingness to expand their sound while retaining the intensity that defines them. Not flawless, but unflinchingly ambitious.