Review: “Made Of Stone” by Embrace Your Punishment

Having roots that go back nearly two decades to 2004 when they were known as C-Vice and were a predominantly Deathcore inspired outfit, Embrace Your Punishment now celebrate their third album “Made Of Stone” having contorted into offering something closer to Brutal Death Metal. The Valenciennes France based quartet are joined for the first time in the studio by new bassist Clément Dellis (Sun Eater, ex-Ataraxis, ex-Shredding Sanity) who has been a part of the group since 2019 as well as having a trio of intriguing A list guests making cameo appearances. As an album this one builds on the foundation of gold and bones that was 2019’s “Nameless King“, the group rounded out by guitarist Geoffroy Mansard, vocalist Vivien Rue and drummer Clement…

…an album of short, sharp and brutal shocks, the equivalent of being hit by a taser at 50,000 volts over and over again is what is on offer from Embrace Your Punishment and while their Deathcore roots have been partially shed, there are a certain amount of cuts that you might call Metallic Hardcore informed. Pounding opening cut “Nemesis” is one of those, a Groove laden bruiser with jagged edged riffs that has the instant appeal of “Nomad” era Kublai Khan with more aggressive vocals. “Aeons Of Fire” then intensifies the heat with violent bursts of blasting and some blood gargling vocal embellishments, the downtempo mid section something to leave scorch marks in the mosh pit. The first of the guests is Jason Netherton from Misery Index who goes toe to toe with Vivien Rue as the pair fire shots of venomous fury at each other on “Unconquered“. A lethal dose of sonic hatred dispensed with verve and swagger, this one is a warning to those who would dare put this band on a stage – the venue will be reduced to rubble. There are a couple of Slam vocal moments in “Oppression” that burn like Hot Sauce made from Carolina Reaper but what’s interesting is that the band use this piece of weaponry sparingly in fleeting moments, preferring to give us lyrics that are clearer in their uncleans. That is something that works incredibly well because the adjustments in the intensity levels mean that the the heavier parts have a lot more impact. “Above Creation” absolutely rips, the jackhammer footwork providing the backbone while a blazing solo adds a little spice, the false ending perfectly executed to ensure there is no rest for the wicked.

Curiously the band have split title track “Made Of Stone” into two parts, the first featuring Sludge Metal legend Kirk Windstein from Crowbar. Again they intertwine the vocals of the guest with those of Rue so that they trade lines throughout rather than the guest simply having a verse or chorus and again it works incredibly well. The tune itself doesn’t embrace Sludge but is more of a Metallic Hardcore offering with some tasty downtempo moments that take the nails and drive them into the coffin lid in style. Arguably the biggest surprise of the album is the second part of the track, which is an acoustic instrumental with a melody that brings to mind bands like A Day To Remember. It works as a palate cleanser however there will be some who will simply skip it in favour of getting back to the violence with the razor sharp “Worthless Hound“. An absolute monster of furious energy, this one is a whirlwind of percussive battery in restless and relentless style that keeps you on the edge of the seat with bursts of violent aggression and the same can be said about the blunt force trauma that is “Minotaur’s Wrath“. When you see Julien Truchan from Benighted is on a track you know it’s going to have a few trademark pig squeals and they’re all over “Exterminate The Threat” like a rash. Another powerhouse, this 105 second tornado of all out destruction packs a groove laden punch that flows at the tempo of the damned. As if that wasn’t enough of a punishment beating “Fury Of The Fates” is a classic circle pit starter with a real sonic weight and integrity to it, the kind of abrasion that wire wool makes to flesh in a cleansing ritual. Rounding things off in style “The Ones Above Us” is the icing on the cake, a cut that summarises the feel of the whole album in one easy to swallow cyanide pill. This is the album you need without even knowing you wanted it. [8.5]

Track Listing

1. Nemesis
2. Aeons Of Fire
3. Unconquered (ft. Jason Netherton from Misery Index)
4. Oppression
5. Above Creation
6. Made Of Stone Part I (ft. Kirk Windstein from Crowbar)
7. Made Of Stone Part II
8. Worthless Hound
9. Minotaur’s Wrath
10. Exterminate The Threat (ft. Julien Truchan from Benighted)
11. Fury Of The Fates
12. The Ones Above Us

“Made Of Stone” by Embrace Your Punishment is out 1st December 2023 via Lacerated Enemy Records