1989’s ‘Manic Ride’ is now sonically enhanced with an aggressive remaster from Brad Boatright.

Frenetic, coarse and frequently atonal. Nothing is more a distillation of that sound than the mighty BL’AST! ’s final studio album, ‘Take The Manic Ride’ (1989). Over 30 years later, and the album is getting the reissue treatment on Southern Lord. In June of 1988 BL’AST! went into the studio with Black Flags’ live sound GOAT: Dave Rat (RATSOUND), and the breakneck ‘Take The Manic Ride’ was recorded. This version was later destroyed after the band was dissatisfied with the original production. Now, this unmissable piece of hardcore history has been carefully restored under the strict guidance of mastering engineer Brad Boatright (also remastered the other BL’AST! albums re-released by Southern Lord). ‘Manic Ride’ will be released by Southern Lord on March 10th. Mike (Neider, guitar) comments on the reissue:

“The release of ‘Manic Ride’ is essential to finish the history of past BL’AST! releases. It displays how off the beaten path BL’AST! is and always has been. The music and lyrics does not tread lightly. We’re grateful to have ‘Manic Ride’‘s affiliation w/ Rat Sound/Dave Rat, SSTRecords and Southern Lord and for all of our friends, fans and family, as well as the BL’AST! blood brotherhood. For this to be released in our fortieth year as a band is truly amazing. Rest In Power to the artist of the ‘Manic Ride’ cover, Justin Forbes.”

The original line up for ‘Take The Manic Ride’:

Dave Cooper – bass

Bill Torgerson – drums

Mike Neider – guitar

Clifford Dinsmore – vocals

‘Manic Ride’ tracklisting:

Somewhere I’ve Found/Falsehood Claws
Overdrive
Out Of Alignment
Start The Machine
Turn And Face The World
Blast It Back
Bones
Powerize
It’s Time
Abraxis
Look Inside

Photo credit: Naomi Petersen Photography, courtesy of Chris Petersen Images/Punk Life Naomi.

Having formed in 1983, the highly influential Santa Cruz hardcore legend BL’AST! released their first album, ‘The Power Of Expression’ in 1985. This debut album went on to become one of the highly sought after, must-have hardcore albums from the 80s. BL’AST! were beyond intense, continually pushing the boundaries of hardcore with their advanced musicianship, unstoppable energic delivery and explosive live performances. This overwhelming power caught the attention of SST Records, who released the band’s second album, ‘It’s In My Blood’ in 1987. Their third album, ‘Take The Manic Ride’, was then released in 1989. BL’AST!‘s wide-eyed, ambitious approach and intense perseverance became an influence for many bands to come. Shortly after the release of ‘Take The Manic Ride’ the band broke up and their story was, for some time, buried by time and dust. The band reformed in the 2000s, and released the 7” EP, ‘For Those Who Grace The Fire’, from 2015, which featured Dave Grohl on drums and Chuck Dukowski on bass. They then released ‘Blood!’, an album consisting of then-lost recordings, and remixed by Dave Grohl, in 2013. Later on, they also did a split 7″ with Eyehategod, contributing ‘Cut Your Teeth’ in 2017.