Flotsam and Jetsam haven’t toured the United States in three years. Well, there is no better time then the present, kicking off a five-week tour supporting their recent release, the self-titled album, Flotsam and Jetsam via AFM records, at the iconic Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California on November 5th.
Flotsam and Jetsam, founded in 1981 in Phoenix, Arizona, released 11 studio albums and celebrated the 30th Anniversary of their first album release Doomsday for The Deceiver.
Let’s fast forward 30 years. I’ve listened to their recent album release, Flotsam and Jetsam, extensively and love it, but now I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and experiencing Thrash Metal live, seeing Flotsam for the first time and to be honest I’m nervous.
As I take my place front and center, I’m looking around taking in the atmosphere and noticing it’s 95% males and it’s getting a bit crowded, as they all want to get to the front. There is no place to move. The lights dim as the intro, The Incantation, starts playing. I was feeling the goose bumps on my arms and a smile on my face, this song had left an impression on me and was discussed previously in the interview. I was ready for this show. Drummer Jason Bittner, guitarist Steve Conley, bassist Michael Spencer, guitarist Michael Gilbert and frontman Eric ˈAKˈKnutson take the stage kicking off with one of my favorite songs, Seventh Seal, off the recent release Flotsam and Jetsam, followed by Dreams of Death off No Place for Disgrace, and rounding out with Hammerhead off Doomsday for the Deceiver. The fans didn’t waste any time head banging and pumping the horns up, which stayed throughout the night.
The set list was a mix of songs off Doomsday for the Deceiver, No Place for Disgrace, Cuatro and Drift, with a handful of songs off the new release Flotsam and Jetsam, including Monkey Wrench, Iron Maiden and Life Is a Mess, in which everything broke loose. The mosh pit was in full force. If you were on the ground floor no one was safe during die-hard fan favorites I Live You Die and No Place for Disgrace…. I was going to die!!! If you read my interview you know where that came from.
Between the dueling guitars of Gilbert and Conley, sparks could fly off their fingers as fast and precise they play, Spencer holding down the low end on bass in an impressive manner. Bittner with the double bass kick drum that is so powerful it vibrates your soul and frontman AK with his profound vocals, you take notice. When live and album sound the same, that’s impressive!!
Flotsam went above and beyond any expectations, I stepped out of my box and the whole experience was well worth it. I look forward to seeing them again. You can check out Flotsam and Jetsam tour dates on their website www.flotsam-and-jetsam.com or Facebook, catch them on their U.S. tour and pick up their recently release self-titled album, Flotsam and Jetsam. You won’t be disappointed.
Main support, Hatchet, had a bit of a task getting the crowded warmed up. It seemed the only thrashing and headbanging was being done was on stage. As frontman Julz Ramos addressed the crowd, asking if they are going to church in the morning. That seemed to do the trick, the moshing begun. As frontman/lead guitarist Julz Ramos, guitarist Clayton Cagle, bassist Devin Reiche and drummer Ben Smith picked it up a notch performing an energetic set, leaving the fans wanting more. This seemed to be a nice fit opening for Flotsam and Jetsam.
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Check out Tammy Greene’s interview with Flotsam and Jetsam here.
All photos by Tammy Greene
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