STEP TO FREEDOM - S/T

STEP TO FREEDOM is a Russian band that began their difficult journey in a land that doesn't want them at the beginning of the last decade and that defines itself as Crust punk underground front! Against state control! They released their first self produced cassette "Social Zombies" in 2014, later reissued by Audacious Madness Records (U.S.A.) together with their second album called "Cemetery For The Humaniknd" (originally out in 2018 on Makima Records, also from Russia) in 2021. After one EP on tape and a 7", both respectively released in 2019 and 2023 by Blown Out Media Records (U.S.A.), they are back with what, in my opinion, is their best release so far. The monolithic sound of their new recordings suggests a maturation of the group both from a compositional point of view and from that of awareness of the use of effects and mastery of the instruments they play. I felt like a tank had rolled over my back after I first listened to this album. Granitic stench core meets crust core with a touch of death metal here and there all packed in a clear recording which allows us to imagine the difficult moment that the guys are going through, forced into the prison of the institutions that govern their state. Fans of Amebix, Axegrinder, Deviated Instinct, Hellshock and Instinct Of Survival will love this.