FLOTSAM AND JETSAM — When the Storm Comes Down (review)

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM — When the Storm Comes Down album cover

Album · 1990 · Thrash Metal

3.5/5 · 2021-02-17
UMUR

"When the Storm Comes Down" is the 3rd full-length studio album by US thrash metal act Flotsam and Jetsam. The album was released through MCA Records in May 1990. It´s the successor to "No Place for Disgrace" from 1988 and features the same lineup who recorded the predecessor.

Stylistically the material on "When the Storm Comes Down" continue the thrash metal style with melodic tinged vocals of the predecessor. Heavy thrashy riffs, powerful thrashy rhythms, skillful lead guitar playing, and Eric A.K.´s distinct sounding powerful voice in front. Eric A.K. is a bit of an atypical thrash metal singer, as he doesn´t just deliver rough staccato vocals, but actually sings. And he is an incredibly skilled singer too. Expressive, aggressive, raw, melodic, and occasionally pretty high pitched, he can do most things with his voice and he is generally a great asset to the band´s sound.

The 11 track, 49:33 minutes long album opens with the powerful "The Master Sleeps" and although both "Burned Device" and "Deviation" feature other less thrashy influences (while still predominantly staying in thrash metal territory) they are both pretty great tracks too. "October Thorns" continues in a slighty heavier mood with a crushingly heavy and catchy main riff, but with "No More Fun" things turn a little weird with a funky influence, that really doesn´t become Flotsam and Jetsam.

The remaining part of the album is generally of a good quality too, but "When the Storm Comes Down" is not an album which blows me away throughout. There are some absolutely brilliant moments featured on the album and the musicianship is on a high level on all posts too, but the rather odd sounding production, and a couple of more forgettable tracks, mean it doesn´t quite reach the heights of it´s two predecessors. It´s still a quality release on most parameters though and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

more than 2 years ago
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siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

Yeah the vocals are excellent for sure!

UMUR wrote:

more than 2 years ago

It´s only in recent years I´ve begun to explore F&J beyond the first two albums, and I like what I hear. Their output is consistently solid heavy metal with the occasional thrash metal edge (it´s only the first couple of releases, were the scale tips towards thrash rather than heavy metal). I wouldn´t call most of their releases excellent, but they are strong, and I can listen to Eric A.K. sing all day long. What an incredible vocalist he is...

Vim Fuego wrote:

more than 2 years ago

This did have a weird sound to it, even back when it first came out. I think the band experimented just a bit too much here, and it left a lot of people cold. I still enjoy this album though. Suffer The Masses is my particular favourite track.

siLLy puPPy wrote:

more than 2 years ago

I've yet to explore this band beyond the first two albums. Sounds like it's worthy of checking out.