Flotsam and Jetsam – I Am The Weapon
Reviewed by: Eric Valaer
Review Score: 8.5
I’ve been following the Arizona thrashers: Flotsam & Jetsam since their early days (Doomsday for the Deceiver, No Place for Disgrace etc.). Being as transparent as possible, I feel this release captures some of the energy and chops from these albums (well, let’s just say the talent has been elevated).
A New Kind of Hero: The melodic/progressive intro turns into full throttle thrash! The band calls back to the intro during the chorus which works seamlessly. The rhythm section ramps up the intensity and the vocals sound great.
Primal: What a standout chorus! You can hear the NWOBHM influences on the intro riff, chorus and really, the core of the album.
I Am The Weapon: A metronome will break if it tries to keep up..lol. I Am The Weapon doesn’t disappoint with strong songwriting and wicked soloing.
Burned My Bridges: This tune incorporates some elements of progressive and power metal. This sets the stage for a juicy and superb chorus. The double-bass drumming is a highlight.
The Head of the Snake: One of the heaviest songs off the album.The relentless riffing is unmistakable. The rhythm section keeps this tune intense. The combination of some single-note riffing & some spirited soloing using the neck pick up are an example of Conley and Gilberts skilled fretwork! AK’s vocals perfectly finish the song.
Beneath the Shadows: This is my least favorite track. It has a groove and eases up on the tempo (not a bad thing IMO). The chorus is ultra-catchy. I wonder why the band didn’t choose this as a single?
Gates of Hell: With a title like this, you knew Flotsam wouldn’t hold back! There’s no shortage of palm-muting early & often. Another tune, another stellar chorus.
Cold Steel Light: Here we’ve got one of the more melodic songs. The chorus is instantly memorable (sound familiar?). The clean/mellower bridge adds another layer. Even though the song is highly melodic, it retains the speed and edge which displays its’ consistency with the rest of the album!
Kings of the Underworld: Be prepared to adrenalize! The verses are intense & have some swift vocals. Are you tired of hearing about consistent and exceptional choruses?! They did it again…The accents and rests by Flotsam coupled with the vocals make for one hell of an intro/verse! We’ve got some rapid fire rhythm guitars along with some devastating double-bass drumming.
Black Wings: Black Wings is one of the top tunes on I Am The Weapon. A creepy theme is introduced on the electric guitar as the band explodes. During the verses, the guitars are sustaining power chords, allowing AK some room to conjure up a melody. Musically, the chorus is hard-hitting yet echoes back to the unsettling guitar theme. The vocals primarily follow this & sound phenomenal. Tired of guitar solos? Me neither. This particular solo has a deft combination of two-handed tapping and frantic alternate picking. What a wise choice for a closing song!
This is one of their best releases in the last DECADE!!
~Eric V.