By Rob Thompson
In the words of the late great Dio: “metal will never die” and if you've never heard any of Flotsam and Jetsam’s older material before then now is your big chance!.
Flotsam and Jetsam comments: “We have re-recorded No Place For Disgrace because we have had a lot of requests to remix this record. The master tapes have been very difficult to obtain so we decided to re-record the album and use some of today's technologies to recreate it. The aim was not really to change but to enhance it with the opportunity with the use of new tools. We have the time available as well and it just seemed like a no brainer. A lot of the die hards are really nervous about it but I think after the final result they will embrace it. The sound quality is 100% better and more refined!"
I couldn't agree more. If a band has an excellent album from their past then they should do everything they can to help it find new listeners and generate a wider fan base. This is especially true of today’s metal scene with its myriad of splintered genres which spawn hundreds of mediocre releases on an almost daily basis all of which compete for space and time in listeners playlists.
Flotsam and Jetsam have been criticised over the years as a band that never really pushed the thrash genre forward and similar and better music was created by bands, such as Metallica. Well, to counter this argument I say, who gives a craaaaaaaaaaap! I love this band and just want to bathe my head in a huge bucket of Flotsam and Jetsam. If you are hungry for great tasting thrash metal this scrumptious album is as good as Kill ‘em All, Ride the Lightning and Master of Puppets and will fill your belly up. I accept that Flotsam and Jetsam didn’t evolve or do anything especially world-shattering, but they play a style of thrash that is both enjoyable and tuneful, packed with a high riff quota which highlights their technical playing skills with lovely NWOBHM influences such as Priest and Maiden.
No Place For Disgrace consists of nine great tracks and a god-awful cover version of an Elton John track ‘Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting’. I recommend you ignore this monstrosity and focus on the other songs. The album shows a progression in song writing including a step-up lyrically too. The ferocity is offset by slower numbers like ‘Escape from Within’ which means that the semi-technical thrash doesn’t melt your brain with its relentless non-stop intensity. People lament the fact that by the time this album was released Jason Newsted had moved onto play for Metallica but he didn’t write all of the basslines and his replacement, Troy Gregory, done a sterling job. I highly recommend this release.
Flotsam and Jetsam are currently on tour in Europe supporting Sepultura and Legion of the Damned! Check them out if you can.
