FLOTSAM AND JETSAM
2019’s release of ‘End of Chaos’ returns original metallers Michael Gilbert and Eric A.K. Knutson on guitars and vocals respectively. Michael Spencer also is back on bass, as is Steve Conley who joined the band in 2016. Leaving the only change to the lineup this time as Ken Mary joining the group on drums.
Flotsam and Jetsam have floundered for decades in the thrash metal scene, just somewhere in the middle. Not the best, not the worst, just mildly mediocre enough to fly under pretty much everyone’s radar. The former Jason Newsted equipped band is mostly only known as the band that Newsted once played bass for prior to joining Metallica. That might not be a very fair statement to make, especially to those that followed these guys and the thrash metal scene from the mid-80s to now, but for what I’ve been exposed to, that’s my take. What do we make of these latest efforts? Let’s find out!
One thing I’ll say right off the bat is this release is more pure adrenaline, classic thrash than I’ve heard in ages. Every single moment of the first track, ‘Prisoner of Time’, you can tell that the grizzled Flotsam crew had been motivated to seek and destroy! You can hear exceedingly quick kick drums and a rejuvenated sound overall. It’s almost a bit derailing at times because each and every track that follows just blends together, making an overall sound that kicks you in the teeth for the entirety of the album. There aren’t really any standout tracks here, outside of a couple that come off a bit stronger like ‘Unwelcome Surprise’ and ‘Recover’ but, overall, the album just pummels you from the first track until the last.
You have more of what we started with tracks like ‘Chaos Control’, ‘Snake Eyes’ and ‘Good or Bad’, with each getting progressively faster and heavier as the album carries on. This is easily the fastest I’ve ever experienced from this veteran group! From Flotsam’s last self-titled album to now, you can see this direction the band is building towards. It’s total unapologetic thrash with no frills, which is some good and some bad.
Overall, I quite enjoyed this outing by these journeymen of thrash. I would rank ‘End of Chaos’ up towards the top of their discography. You’ll be feeling this one for a while after listening, as each song pounds you relentlessly, which leaves one of my main issues here, which is the lack of any real dynamics or variety to ‘The End of Chaos’. You have very little in terms of intros or bridges in most songs, hardly any room to catch your breath at all!
This band and this album are predominantly featuring Gilbert and Knutson as the lead frontmen for ages but, make no mistake, the drums and bass of Ken Mary and Michael Spencer add quite a bit of perfection to this release, making it one not to miss! Flotsam and Jetsam fans have been very patient through the years with some pretty subpar work, but those same fans should be very excited to get their hands on this release! Very recommended for fans, and everyone else should check it out for a listen, too.
Flotsam and Jetsam have floundered for decades in the thrash metal scene, just somewhere in the middle. Not the best, not the worst, just mildly mediocre enough to fly under pretty much everyone’s radar. The former Jason Newsted equipped band is mostly only known as the band that Newsted once played bass for prior to joining Metallica. That might not be a very fair statement to make, especially to those that followed these guys and the thrash metal scene from the mid-80s to now, but for what I’ve been exposed to, that’s my take. What do we make of these latest efforts? Let’s find out!
One thing I’ll say right off the bat is this release is more pure adrenaline, classic thrash than I’ve heard in ages. Every single moment of the first track, ‘Prisoner of Time’, you can tell that the grizzled Flotsam crew had been motivated to seek and destroy! You can hear exceedingly quick kick drums and a rejuvenated sound overall. It’s almost a bit derailing at times because each and every track that follows just blends together, making an overall sound that kicks you in the teeth for the entirety of the album. There aren’t really any standout tracks here, outside of a couple that come off a bit stronger like ‘Unwelcome Surprise’ and ‘Recover’ but, overall, the album just pummels you from the first track until the last.
You have more of what we started with tracks like ‘Chaos Control’, ‘Snake Eyes’ and ‘Good or Bad’, with each getting progressively faster and heavier as the album carries on. This is easily the fastest I’ve ever experienced from this veteran group! From Flotsam’s last self-titled album to now, you can see this direction the band is building towards. It’s total unapologetic thrash with no frills, which is some good and some bad.
Overall, I quite enjoyed this outing by these journeymen of thrash. I would rank ‘End of Chaos’ up towards the top of their discography. You’ll be feeling this one for a while after listening, as each song pounds you relentlessly, which leaves one of my main issues here, which is the lack of any real dynamics or variety to ‘The End of Chaos’. You have very little in terms of intros or bridges in most songs, hardly any room to catch your breath at all!
This band and this album are predominantly featuring Gilbert and Knutson as the lead frontmen for ages but, make no mistake, the drums and bass of Ken Mary and Michael Spencer add quite a bit of perfection to this release, making it one not to miss! Flotsam and Jetsam fans have been very patient through the years with some pretty subpar work, but those same fans should be very excited to get their hands on this release! Very recommended for fans, and everyone else should check it out for a listen, too.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
AFM Records
Album
THE END OF CHAOS
Review by Joshua Jaeger
RUNNING TIME:
49:27
RELEASE DATE:
18th January 2019
TRACK LISTING
1) Prisoner of Time
2) Control; 3) Recover
4) Prepare for Chaos
5) Slowly Insane
6) Architects of Hate
7) Demolition Man
8) Unwelcome Surprise
9) Snake Eye
10) Survive
11) Good or Bad
12) The End
2) Control; 3) Recover
4) Prepare for Chaos
5) Slowly Insane
6) Architects of Hate
7) Demolition Man
8) Unwelcome Surprise
9) Snake Eye
10) Survive
11) Good or Bad
12) The End
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
USA
"...the album just pummels you from the first track until the last."
