As much as I love my ’80s thrash, the number of bands from that era still putting out quality material today is far and few in between. Flotsam and Jetsam falls into this sparse category. After decades of hits and misses, the veteran thrashers regained their footing in 2019 with the release of The End of Chaos. 2021’s Blood in the Water quickly followed, and while it didn’t immediately grab me the way Chaos did, it was yet another muscular outing. Now, 40 years since their initial formation, Flotsam and Jetsam return armed to the teeth with their sixteenth studio album, I Am the Weapon.
On their last album, I noted the emphasis on “aggressive” musical elements, particularly in the drumming and riffing throughout, which is something I found a tad unusual for an F&J outing. Even at their thrashiest, this is a band I’d never lump alongside the likes of say Slayer or Dark Angel, largely thanks to the strong traditional metal leanings that they never truly abandoned. That said, if I wrote and recorded an album in the midst of a global pandemic and couldn’t tour behind it, I’d probably be pissed off too. On I Am the Weapon, F&J toes the line between the thrashing brutality of Blood and electrifying power/thrash of yesteryear, making for one ferocious listen.
From the opening blitz of “A New Kind of Hero”, the album’s formula is established early on: thrashing mad riffs, power metal finesse, ripping guitar solos, and most importantly, massive choruses. Put it all together and you’ve got yourself a hell of a headbanging good time. The melodic thrash assault continues on cuts like the aptly titled “Primal”, hook-laden “Burned My Bridges”, and groovy “The Head of the Snake”. The title track and “Gates of Hell” showcase the band at their absolute most enraged, while the classic high speed rampage of “Cold Steel Lights” sounds straight off Doomsday for the Deceiver (1986).
While Weapon seldom deviates from this formula, even when it does, it manages to surprise in a pleasant manner. “Beneath the Shadows” sounds like ZZ Top gone groove metal, and while that might sound absolutely horrendous on paper, trust me when I say the Reverend Willie G would be proud. Furthermore, to say the closing “Black Wings” comes out of leftfield would be an understatement. Here we have a classic thrash band going full blown power metal. No, not power/thrash, power metal, complete with symphonic flourishes akin to latter day Blind Guardian. If the mission was to catch listeners attention, then mission accomplished.
Yet again, Flotsam and Jetsam have crafted a full fledged thrash album that manages to sound fresh without sacrificing old school tradition. Eric A.K. and the gang are locked and loaded, with no sign of slowing down anytime soon. It’s albums like this that almost make me wish for another thrash revival…almost. On the contrary, it’s cool to see F&J emerge rightfully victorious instead of competing for a place in a crowded playing field of D grade Metalliclones. Yeah, who am I kidding? I’m glad the early ’10s are behind us!
8 out of 10
Label: AFM Records
Genre: Thrash Metal
For fans of: Metal Church, Overkill, Idol Throne