NO WAY OUT

Step Forward- 2nd s/t 7" (Painkiller)
First Press, 2014
Clear Vinyl /200

A record that probably would have made a lot of year end lists for 2014 is this second EP from Boston's Step Forward, and though I am certainly enjoying it right now while it's spinning while I write this review, I can't say that it's grabbed me the way that the bands first EP did. It's essentially the same kind of thing going on as the earlier material; menacing, fast, straight edge hardcore, and the recording is rough and excellent, but the songs just aren't as catchy. Maybe I just need to spend some more time with it though.
I'm not completely up to date with the info on this record, but I think it was recorded post humous with this being a second attempt. I also suspect that these are songs that were written well over six years ago. The story goes something along the lines of a tape demo being released in 2012 that was initially meant to be this record, but the guys in the band weren't happy with the sound so a vinyl release was abandoned and the music was relegated to cassette. I think for a while it was up in the air as to whether a newer version would ever actually be recorded. Well obviously it was, and here's my copy on the more limited clear colour way. I will get around to posting about my copy of the first 7" too. I thought I had but it seems I must have acquired it before this blog existed.