ALBUM REVIEW: Manic Ride (reissue) – BL’AST!

If you’ve any notion that history in music is essential to inform our own future, then well done, you’re correct. Seeing as that’s the case then you most likely get excited when you find out about musical artefacts being unearthed like something on an archaeological dig in Egypt. Alas, a new artefact has been discovered; BL’AST!’s previously scrapped Take The Manic Ride has now been restored to a whole new glory. Now Manic Ride is due for reissue this Friday March 10th, meticulously remastered by Brad Boatright. 

BL’AST! are arguably at their best on Manic Ride, 11 tracks of jagged and driving hardcore. With a wriggling bassline the fun begins in Somewhere I’ve Found/Falsehood Claws, as Clifford Dinsmore gives the opener some daunting vocals alongside erratic riffs. With six minutes to kill in this first track, a chunk of time is needlessly taken up with jam and rhythm sections. Out Of Alignment boasts the previous LP title, Take The Manic Ride, in its lyrics and offers alternate avenues whilst switching the music up slightly for the first time in the album.

For a moment at the beginning of Start The Machine, the tension builds in an ominous minute-long intro that sells false hope for something really special to come after it. That’s not the case though, as BL’AST! churn out what seem to be the same few chords in a reused formula. The one thing that does feel fresh and evolving is the drumming of Bill Torgerson. His performance is adaptable and ever changing throughout — and is honestly what feels like the lifeline for the album. He becomes the peaks in the dying pulse of a heart monitor. 

When you’re halfway through an album you can either expect a turning point or to have already been treated to something exciting, but Manic Ride becomes repetitive quickly with the same tropes. Bones tries to fool you once again with an atmospheric, played out intro only to fall on its face into a pile of already used chord progressions and vocal melodies. It’s Time takes the same riff from the opening track of the album and glues a little something on the front of it for the sake of it. Eventually things feel lazy despite the effort and tempo of all the tracks. 

At face value, this reissue is something of an artefact, feeling magical and rousing. Although it has its moments where it tries to shine, ultimately it’s nothing of a groundbreaking discovery but more like some second rate piece of memorabilia found in your loft. Manic Ride is fine for some to listen to for a quick burst of nostalgia, and even has the odd moment that can get under your skin in the best way possible, but its variety doesn’t have the stamina to keep up with hardcore today. 

Rating: 6/10

Manic Ride (reissue) is set for release on March 10th via Southern Lord.

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