Ok, so the Black Flag inspiration could be considered a bit flattering or even coincidental on the first two records; but they straight up rip off a riff from My War on this one. They also have a part that is a straight rip from Sabbath’s “Black Sabbath” on “it’s time” - the entire record is a not so subtle nod to influences.
Look, 99% of the shit I listen to rips off other bands, so I cannot fault them for that at all - but this is a serious downgrade from its inspiration.
Even with a remastered and repackaged layout this is still a bad record. The vocals are just terrible, and the weirdo interludes are abysmal. I might be able to stomach more with better vocals. Sorry Bl’ast superfans but this was very hard to get through - I must not be mature enough. Oh well - at least it has the best Santa Cruz Skateboards ad of all time in the gatefold.
2023 reissue and reissue on purple vinyl.