Date: 2019
Total Time: 49:20
Label: AFM Records
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, literally, means “waste dumped by tanker boats”. FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, however, in the metal community defines this legendary Thrash Metal band that has featured talents such as Eric AK on vocals, guitarist Michael Gilbert and former composer, star bassist Jason Newsted for 14 years, who served for a number of years the very well-known band METALLICA!
They started looking very promising and established themselves with two classic albums such as “Doomsday For The Deceiver”, written entirely by Newsted and “No Place For Disgrace”. But while they had all the background to grow even more, unfortunately several wrong turns and bad decisions forced them to be what they are today, but at least they remain true! However, they are among the bands that are comfortably part of the small American Big Four family along with EXODUS, OVERKILL and TESTAMENT.
So, being in that league, they have definitely managed to release several remarkable and some mediocre albums. Staying true to their form, since then, with almost the same composition with only one exception (no room for “stars” in the band) they continue to “thrash”, releasing “The End Of Chaos” three years after their previous release.
A few thoughts on this album: fast and rough sound and production. The vocals in places are a bit muffled, but it is only natural to have lost this freshness of the past. Some outstanding moments of power are “Prisoner Of Power”, “Prepare For Chaos”, “Slowly Insane”, “Architects of Hate” and “Unwelcome Surprise”, song with interesting ideas that try to show us a spark of FLOTSAM AND JETSAM’s glorious past, with the best song being “10 Survive”.
But listening to the whole album, I am under the impression that it sounds a bit flat, having a constant hasty playing, which becomes tiresome after some time. It has nice sharp riffs, but I find it to be inferior to its predecessor in both inspiration and sound (listen to “Forbidden Territories” to understand what I mean). Overall it is a mediocre album, at least to my ears, “one of the same” recipe that is getting too old now. This album lacks inspiration and gives off a feeling they are trying to “force” an album, not compose it. “Flots” potential is much better than this.
Rating: 6/10
Editor: Nikos Mathiopoulos
Translation/Rendering in English: Theodoros Apergis
Related Link: FLΟTSAM AND JETSAM – Official Page
