Artist: Flotsam & Jetsam
Title: The Cold
Type: Album
Label: Nuclear Blast Records
Flotsam & Jetsam will always be known as the band that lost Jason Newsted to Metallica and released the stunning debut ‘Doomsday for the Deceiver’. Since then, they have managed to keep their fans entertained following their debut with another three releases of, for me, outstanding quality up to the ‘Cuatro’ album. At this point in time, metal took a nose dive with the unfortunate popularity grunge was getting. But that aside, this band continued throughout the difficult years, although disappearing at the early part of the millennium for 4 years, following a return they somewhat fell short of matching their earlier releases in terms of musical relevance and popularity. But in more recent times ‘Dreams of Death’ showed us what this band have to give and thus, we have their current album ‘The Cold’ here for the offering. Originally released by the Driven Music Group last year, it is licenced to the massive Nuclear Blast Records for its European release this year.
From the start, there is no denying the progressive thrash roots laid bare on disc, their debut days well behind them, ‘Hypocrite’ starts the album with some quality musicianship and thoughtful arrangements. The ever present, on album releases (leaving the band for their one tour briefly), vocalist Erik A.K. has what I would call a distinct tone, there are not many singers with this delivery, the warmth and strength on his tone shines throughout all of the 10 tracks on this notable release. Founding guitarist Edward Carlson has recently reunited with his axe partner Michael Gilbert, although the album was recorded with former guitarist Mark Simpson with Edward in tow. Whilst musically it is progressive power thrash, the pieces of music interlinking riffs and head banging chugging rhythms show utter experience working in unison, I also like the fact that the proper band logo features on the album artwork. The production does sound a little dated in terms of the guitar tone, but then would you really want a band to modernise to the point that they sound like a completely different band (like some of their peers have done in recent times I might add)? F&J have plenty of emotion and social relevance in the lyrics, as they have always displayed, take the kick in the arse attitude of ‘Black Cloud’ talking about ones misfortunes for basically being a nice person or the sublime ‘K.Y.A’ which actually stands for Kick Your Ass, under the radar it maybe in its title but the song itself blasts out every metal note to a tee, but it could have done without the cheesy “Woa’s.”
F&J have the experience and now they have the album to lay old ghosts to rest and stride forward with the confidence knowing that ‘The Cold’ is one of their best releases for quite a few years. I just hope the PR machine works in their favour this time as this band have worked for years and thoroughly deserve recognition of their talents. ‘The Cold’ is filled with all human senses and metal teachings, emotion, anger, groove and most notably a display of passion. Don’t miss the opportunity to grab this release; Flotsam & Jetsam are a force to be reckoned with.
http://www.flotsam-and-jetsam.com/
http://www.myspace.com/fandj
