Bl’ast!’s The Power of Expression, released in 1986, is a hardcore juggernaut that pushed the limits of the genre, twisting the raw energy of Black Flag into something darker and more volatile. Southern Lord’s 2014 reissue, The Expression of Power, not only restores the original album but also includes alternate sessions and unreleased material, giving fans a deeper dive into one of the most intense hardcore records of its time.
The original Bl’ast! lineup featured Clifford Dinsmore on vocals, whose feral delivery and unhinged stage presence set the tone for the band’s chaotic sound. Guitarist Mike Neider drove the band’s jagged, unpredictable riffing, a hallmark of their music. The rhythm section was anchored by Dave Cooper on bass and Bill Torgerson on drums, both of whom laid down a relentless, pounding backbone. Over the years, the lineup would evolve, with notable additions like Nick Oliveri, who joined briefly before his days with Kyuss and Queens of the Stone Age, further cementing Bl’ast!’s connection to the heavier side of punk and rock.
Tracks like “Time to Think” and “Surf and Destroy” highlight the band’s ferocity, balancing outright aggression with complex, twisting song structures. The influence of Greg Ginn’s guitar style is undeniable, but Bl’ast! took those roots and created something entirely their own—more feral, more unhinged, and undeniably harder.
My introduction to this record came through a German band, Power of Expression, who paid tribute to it in 1994 by covering the entire album. While the tribute itself was compelling, what stood out were the guest vocalists. Daryl Kahan from Citizens Arrest brought his venomous delivery, Marc Grewe of Morgoth added his sinister death metal growl, and Mikey Jewicz delivered raw, punk-driven energy. It was a testament to how far Bl’ast!’s influence had traveled, even across genres and continents.
Still, the original remains unmatched. Bl’ast! captured a sense of chaos and danger that few bands ever manage to replicate. This reissue doesn’t just revisit the past—it reaffirms Bl’ast!’s place as one of hardcore’s most vital and uncompromising acts. Their music wasn’t just intense; it was transformative. And with alumni like Oliveri in the mix, their legacy only grows more legendary. If you haven’t experienced The Expression of Power, you’re missing out on one of the wildest, most ferocious statements hardcore ever produced.
Sterling Mosh 
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