Crown Magnetar's Punishment EP is an unrelenting display of modern deathcore precision—mercilessly heavy, technically sharp, and drenched in atmosphere. Clocking in at just under 15 minutes, this compact release wastes zero time, slamming listeners with razor-edged aggression from the very first note. While deeply rooted in old-school brutality, Punishment also feels sleek and contemporary, bridging the gap between the guttural chaos of early Impending Doom and the surgical groove of modern Whitechapel.

The opener, “Bared Wire Noose,” kicks down the door with crushing chugs, surgical blast beats, and an overwhelming low end that sets the tone for the rest of the project. The riffs are thick, mechanical, and cold—perfectly matched by guttural vocals that command attention without slipping into monotony. The vocal performance across the EP is particularly vicious: deep, cavernous lows are layered with snarling fry screams, creating a vocal texture that feels almost otherworldly in its intensity. It’s the kind of ferocity that fans of Phil Bozeman-era This Is Exile will immediately connect with, especially on the nightmarish “Decapitation Ritual.”

Instrumentally, Punishment is just as intense. The drumming is a standout element throughout—relentless, machine-tight, and filled with surprising flourishes. “Nailed the Fuck Down” lives up to its name, pairing relentless double-kick patterns with erratic but purposeful fills that give the track a chaotic, barely-contained energy. Even when the drums risk becoming repetitive, Crown Magnetar keeps it fresh through smart transitions and dynamic songwriting. The groove is ever-present, with sections that hit hard and bounce even harder, giving the songs a satisfying rhythmic pulse that’s rare in music this heavy.

“Bringer of Dead Light” offers a slight shift in approach. Slower in tempo but no less devastating, the track leans into dense, droning riff work and more deliberate pacing. It's a welcomed change of scenery—dark, brooding, and almost cinematic in its layering. A well-placed guitar solo cuts through the gloom, injecting a dose of technical flair without detracting from the song’s suffocating atmosphere. Throughout the EP, haunting choral elements and eerie ambient touches creep in during breakdowns and interludes, adding depth without diluting the rawness of the sound. These ghostly backdrops elevate the tracks, pushing the EP beyond straightforward deathcore and into something more textured and immersive.

The production is crisp but not sterile—clear enough to capture the intricacies of the performance, but heavy enough to feel oppressive. Guitars are dense and downtuned, the bass roars underneath, and the drums hit like artillery. Everything sits in the mix where it should, emphasizing the tightness of the band's performance while allowing moments of chaos to shine through unfiltered.

Punishment is a potent and focused offering from Crown Magnetar, a band that understands both the legacy and the future of deathcore. Rather than rely solely on breakdowns or extremity, they bring nuance through pacing, atmosphere, and structure. There’s a clear identity in the chaos—each track contributes to a larger, cohesive sound while still bringing something unique to the table. For fans of the genre’s most punishing aspects, Punishment doesn’t just meet expectations—it crushes them.