Veteran thrash metal band Flotsam And Jetsam‘s 15th studio album, I Am The Weapon, is out now, alongside their latest single, ‘A New Kind Of Hero’, together with news that 2016 album Flotsam And Jetsam is being reissued on vinyl.
Guitarist Michael Gilbert says: “People have been asking us what this song, ‘A New Kind Of Hero’, is all about. Well, here’s the short version: the old hero is gone. It’s a new era, and that calls for a new kind of hero. This new hero is a little bit different than what you’re expecting.” Available digitally, you can check out the video for it and previous singles here at RAMzine.
“I Am The Weapon not only takes up seamlessly where its two outstanding predecessors The End Of Chaos (2019) and Blood In The Water (2021) left off, but is also said to go one step further in terms of musical skill and composition. “We’re very excited to unleash this album onto the metal community,“ states singer Erik AK Knutson. “We took our time, and crafted an album that everyone of us in the band is happy with. We went through a ton of songs and ideas to end up with the final choices for this record.”
It’s been almost 40 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 Kerrang! Magazine. Bassist Jason Newsted would jump ship to Metallica while the band released 1988’s No Place For Disgrace.
In 1992 came Cuatro, in 1995 Drift, 1997 High and My God in 2001 – While all rank high in heavy metal circles it was the first part of this unofficial trilogy in 2016’s self-titled Flotsam And Jetsam that a certain rejuvenation and reset was clearly felt, and that has been issued as a strictly limited, gatefold clear 2-Vinyl edition, and is available by clicking here.
Fast-forward five years from then to a planet that was forced to its knees. While spending most of the pandemic times in a holding pattern like the rest of the world, lotsam And Jetsam made the best of a struggling situation and just let those creative juices and angst flow. What emerged was Blood In The Water with I Am The Weapon now due for release.
“We’re very excited to once again unleash Flotzilla onto the metal community! This time, he’ll take the form of our newest single, ‘Primal’.” declared the band regarding their last single. “With ‘Primal’ we tried to capture the punch in the face energy that Flotsam And Jetsam is known for, and blend it with a melody that sticks in your head for days… we hope our fans will embrace it, as we are very pleased with how this song and the new record has turned out, and we look forward to seeing you all very soon!”
Tracks featured on I Am The Weapon are: ‘A New Kind Of Hero’, ‘Primal’, ‘I Am The Weapon’, ‘Burned My Bridges’, ‘The Head Of The Snake’, ‘Beneath The Shadows’, ‘Gates Of Hell’, ‘Cold Steel Lights’, ‘Kings Of The Underworld’, ‘Running Through The Fire’ and ‘Black Wings’. You can order the album here.
The title track was previously out as a single, and available on all digital providers here while you can check out the lyric video here at RAMzine.
