Flotsam and Jetsam Releases Title Track From New Album Blood in the Water
Official press release:
Thrash and Speed Metal icons Flotsam and Jetsam have seen many of their peers that started at the same time, including Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Venom have their day in the sun. Considered in metal circles as “legendary,” the mighty Flotsam and Jetsam, over their long career, has seemed somewhat plagued by label snafu’s, changes in trends, or other unfortunate events. On album number fourteen, and without a doubt making the best music of their career, Flotsam and Jetsam finally smells blood in the water this time around. Slated for a release on June 4, 2021 through AFM Records, Blood in the Water literally shreds the listener’s ears and pummels Flotsam and Jetsam’s message into the hearts of the most diehard metal fans, the album must be heard to be believed. Featuring twelve brutal and powerful tracks that will rip your head off, the outstanding guitar work of Michael Gilbert and these killer vocals by Eric AK – one of the most gifted metal singers in music history –Flotsam and Jetsam’s Blood in the Water will see the band deliver one of their heaviest records to date!
With the unveiling of the previously-released single “Burn the Sky,” Flotsam and Jetsam gave a first and impressive sneak peak of their forthcoming album. Now, the thrash heavy weights have unleashed the thunderous album opener and title track with a brand new video! “Blood in the Water” let’s you know right off that these guys aren’t messing around as the song comes screaming out of the speakers with a frenzied rhythm section, these passionated vocals by AK and guitars blazing on ten! Watch the new Flotsam and Jetsam video for “Blood in the Water” below.
“This last year was a very different year for many of us, and we will say that the tragedy and difficulty had an impact on this song and this new album,” Ssays drummer Ken Mary. “‘Blood in the Water’ is one of the most aggressive Flotsam songs ever, but that wasn’t planned. We just tried to pour everything we were feeling into each song. We didn’t want to analyze it or qualify it, and we just let the song be what it was going to be. What you’re hearing is the result of what I’d say is the closest you can get to looking at the inside of Flotzilla’s brain!”
It’s been 35 years since FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, formed in Phoenix, Arizona released their landmark debut, Doomsday for the Deceiver, the only album to ever receive a 6K rating from the influential British magazine Kerrang! Bassist Jason Newsted would jump ship to Metallica while the band released the unstoppable No Place for Disgrace in 1988. Cuatro (1992), Drift (1995), High (1997), and My God (2001) all still rank extremely high in heavy metal circles. But it was the first part of this unofficial trilogy in 2016’s self-titled Flotsam and Jetsam, followed by the the crushing 2019- successor, The End of Chaos, that a certain rejuvenation and reset was clearly felt. Fast-forward five years to a planet that was forced to its knees: While spending most of the past year in a holding pattern like the rest of the world, Flotsam and Jetsam made the best of a struggling situation and just let those creative juices and angst flow. What emerged was twelve brand new blistering tracks under the moniker Blood in the Water.
“We really had a hell of a time figuring out which songs to actually include in this album, because we don’t feel we had any fillers,” describes Steve Conley about the new songs clocking in at nearly 55 minutes of thrashing glory.
Says singer Eric “AK” Knutson, “We’ve seen our fan base increasing, and we’ve seen the response to the last two albums getting louder and louder. We have some of the most committed and crazy fans in the world. We charted higher on our last album than at any point in our career. Maybe our career path will run similar to Motorhead’s, who although was always considered iconic, didn’t really break through in a big way until later in their career. We feel our time is now…” says AK. “We’re like that dog that’s been kicked…we’re ready to break the door down and take what’s ours.”
And the Flotsam lineup has never been stronger. AK keeps bringing the magic every album and tour, and oddly seems to be getting better and better as time goes on. He’s backed by the incredibly talented, exceptionally brilliant guitar duo of co-founder Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley, the powerful, precise and lightning fast engine of drummer Ken Mary, (whose Hall of Fame resume includes over five million albums sold with artists such as Alice Cooper, House Of Lords, and Accept), and the “fresh blood” and extraordinary technical skills and prowess of bassist Bill Bodily.
No filler, all killer, Blood in the Water was once again mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (U.D.O., Volbeat, Amaranthe, Powerwolf) and sees Flotsam and Jetsam exploding with creativity, moving forward but nodding to their past.
The band has come a long way from the kids that stepped onto the world stage with their first album in 1986, but the one thing that has never been in question since that day is their dedication to their fans, their incredible talent, and relentless pursuit to produce their best music ever.
“Following up The End of Chaos was no easy task,” guitarist Michael Gilbert adds. “We weren’t really sure what we had left in the tank, as we put so much work, sweat, and blood into that album. As it turns out, we had plenty left to say. With everything that’s happened in the world, the friends we lost this last year, and not being able to perform or tour… you hear all of that in our music. It’s angry, it’s aggressive, and our emotions pour out all over this album.”
Pre-order Blood in the Water here.
