FLOTSAM AND JETSAM — Doomsday for the Deceiver (review)

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM — Doomsday for the Deceiver album cover Album · 1986 · Thrash Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Doomsday for the Deceiver" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Arizona based thrash metal act Flotsam and Jetsam. The album was released through Metal Blade Records in July 1986. The band was formed in 1981 under the Paradox monicker, changed their name to Dredlox in 1982, then again in 1983 to Dogz, and finally in 1984 they changed their name to Flotsam and Jetsam. Flotsam and Jetsam initially received quite a bit of critical acclaim, but only ever achieved moderate commercial success. Outside their core audience they are probably mostly known because Jason Newsted played bass on this album before he joined Metallica...

...which of course is completely unfair, as what Flotsam and Jetsam offers the listener on "Doomsday for the Deceiver" is pretty kickass thrash metal with a lead vocalist in Eric A.K., who can actually sing, and who provides the music with a heavy metal/US power metal edge. Eric A.K. has a voice that sometimes reminds me of mid-range Rob Halford (Judas Priest) and a commanding delivery to boot. His piercing high pitched screams are also very convincing. Paired with strong songwriting which is relatively varied, and a sound production which is raw and powerful, yet detailed and clear enough for the listener to hear what´s going on, "Doomsday for the Deceiver" comes off quite a high quality debut album by Flotsam and Jetsam.

The original version of the album only featured 9 tracks, while the US CD version features the "Flotzilla" track as a 10th song on the tracklist. All quality material and it´s no wonder that "Doomsday for the Deceiver" is often mentioned in the same breath as other "classic" thrash metal albums from the 80s. I mentioned Eric A.K. above and praised his performance on the album and rightly so, but the rest of the band also deserve a mention. The rhythm section is tight and Newsted´s bass is placed deligthfully high in the mix. The two guitarists churn out one killer thrashy riff after another, but also some more heavy metal oriented ditto. The many blistering guitar solos and harmony leads also deserve a mention.

Upon conclusion "Doomsday for the Deceiver" is an original sounding US thrash metal release. I hear some nods toward early Metallica, Megadeth, and Judas Priest, but Flotsam and Jetsam have managed to forge a pretty unique and recognisable sound, which was no easy treat in those days, when the scene was overflowing with new thrash metal acts trying to make it big. The fact that this is a debut album, just makes the accomplishment even more impressive. A 4.5 star (90%) rating is well deserved.
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UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Yeah Eric A.K. is one of the most Unique vocalist on the thrash metal scene.
siLLy puPPy wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Yeah, their first two albums are magic. I think the vocals are some of the best in thrash metal.

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