Formed in Baltimore by veterans of the local hardcore circuit Turnstile came up playing packed basements and DIY shows and developed a pretty devoted cult following for the energy they brought live. Their debut EP captures that early energy, featuring raw breakdowns, gang vocals, and a sense of self-expression that feels less like aggression and more like personal liberation. Although it’s a far cry from the more refined and experimental sound they explored on the terrific GLOW ON, you can still hear Turnstile pulling at the edges as they itched to stretch the genre into something more expansive. The obvious influences on Step 2 Rhythm are a bit more straightforward (I hear 311, Rage Against the Machine, and Slayer in nearly every song) but it was clear from the jump that they were destined to break out of the hardcore scene sonically before they were through.
Standout Songs: “7”, “Canned Heat”, “Better Way”
