Review FLOTSAM AND JETSAM “Rats in the Temple”

Flotsam and Jetsam are one of those bands that delivered an exceptional debut, raised the bar with their second album, and, despite a few ups and downs along the way, never really disappoint. Doomsday for the Deceiver was their milestone debut, and with No Place for Disgrace followed a second record that took the band’s sound to another level.

The ’90s were not easy for many metal bands, and the guys from Phoenix were no exception. After a few rather average releases, they found their way back to their old strength with The Cold. Since then, the band has delivered one solid album after another, and their latest release, Rats in the Temple, fits seamlessly into that established level of quality.

With 13 songs and a running time of just under an hour, the album gives fans plenty to sink their teeth into. Flotsam and Jetsam stay true to their dynamic blend of thrash and power metal. Driven by Eric A.K.’s distinctive voice, songs like the hard-hitting “First on the Spike” turn into powerful headbanging anthems that showcase the full range of what the band has to offer.

Alongside the powerful vocals, it is the well-crafted guitar duels between Michael Gilbert and Steven Conley that give each song its own character. Whether we are dealing with fast-paced attacks like “The Edge of Nowhere” or the darker “Damnation,” Flotsam and Jetsam clearly know what good heavy metal needs—including a chorus you’ll probably find yourself singing along to before you even realize it.

The album gets off to a rather dramatic start. After a cinematic-style intro, “Harvesting the Hate” quickly launches into a metal smasher driven by furious drums, immediately leaving you wanting more. The melodies play an important role here, adding plenty of depth to the aggression.

The opener also gives us a good idea of the album’s lyrical direction. The band tackles subjects such as betrayal, war, abuse, and death. These are hardly lighthearted topics, and they give the album its dark and, at times, unsettling atmosphere.

Sometimes it is the little touches that make a difference, such as the bells at the beginning of “Last Rite,” which add a nice extra detail. The groovier moments are not forgotten either. With its driving rhythm, “A Taste of War” shows that the guys are perfectly comfortable venturing into more traditional heavy metal territory as well.

With Rats in the Temple, Flotsam and Jetsam once again show why they remain a strong name in both thrash and power metal. Experience meets an undiminished passion for heavy metal here, and that energy comes through across the entire album. Rats in the Temple is the kind of record that puts your neck muscles to work—and, frankly, they don’t seem to mind.