Musical, Lyrical Familiarity, Resonance Make Flotsam & Jetsam’s New LP A Success

By: Philip Sayblack

​Less than two years after releasing its then latest album, I Am the Weapon, Flotsam and Jetsam is set to release its next new album.  Rats in the Temple, the band’s 16th album, is scheduled for release Aug. 28 through its current label home, Napalm Records.  Spanning 13 tracks, the 56 -minute record is everything that audiences have come to expect from Flotsam & Jetsam as is evidenced in part through its musical arrangements.  The lyrical content that accompanies the album’s musical material makes for its own interest, as does the album’s production.  Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album.  All things considered they make Rats in the Temple yet one more welcome addition to this year’s already crowded field of new hard rock and metal albums.
Rats in the Temple, the forthcoming latest album from Flotsam & Jetsam, is another strong new offering from the veteran thrash outfit.  The nearly hour-long record’s success comes in part through tis featured musical arrangements.  The album’s title track, for instance, is a full on thrash arrangement that honestly conjures thoughts of works from so many of the band’s contemporaries.  At the same time, the approach that the band has once again taken also boasts some power metal influence.  The whole is a familiar stylistic presentation that is just as engaging and entertaining as ever here.  That is thanks to the fire and the energy exhibited throughout each composition.
Making for its own share of interest within this album is its lyrical content.  Right from the album’s outset, ‘Harvesting the Hate,’ the band delivers a hard hitting commentary of sorts.  It demands listeners take accountability for their actions and the impact thereof.  This is inferred as it states, “Falling down/This hole you dig/Watch your world/As it turns to ash/I leave it all behind me now/Why can’t you hear me/Why can’t you see me/Kiss the flames/And open up your eyes/All the pain/That you’ve paid to own/Bend the truth/Until it breaks/I leave it all behind me now.”  This is like someone speaking to oneself, pointing out what that person has caused and that said reflection of that person, so to speak, is done with that result, and is walking away.  The subject adds here, “Seeds of wrath/Have all been sown/All the pain/That you’ve paid to own/Bend the truth/Until it breaks/I leave it all behind me now.”  This, again, is someone perhaps realizing the magnitude of what they’ve caused and making the decision to make a change.  If in fact that is the case, then the manner in which this story is delivered (and its message), then it is an interesting allegory and just one example of the importance of the record’s lyrical content.
‘A Taste for War’ is another example of the importance of the album’s lyrical content.  In the case of this song, it seems to come across as a familiar anti-war message.  This as it states in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “Cross hairs on an open brow/laser dot missed somehow/Projectile hits before the sound/My enemies fall to the ground/You struck first/But we strike back/You struck first/But we’ll strike last/There will be no surrender now/Even if you do back down/We drop bombs/And we keep score/With body bags/And a call to war/We drop bombs/And we keep score/With body bags/And a taste for war.”  This is pretty cut and dry.  Those lines about keeping score with body bags and “a taste for war” puts the message front and center.  As the song progresses, the message continues, “It’s a red dot on a map/About to be erased/Push the button with no fear/Cleared to go/Don’t hesitate.”  Again, here is a cynical statement seemingly about the willingness of nations to destroy one another.  Considering the current state of global politics (especially caused by the individual in the White House), it is a timely statement and one more prime example of the importance of the album’s lyrical content.
Yet one more example of the album’s lyrical content comes in the very next track, ‘Her Blood Your Pain.’  There is little to no doubt that this song is a commentary about domestic violence.  This is inferred as it states right from its outset, “her pain is so much more/Than a physical sensation/The blackened eye of being betrayed/The bruised and battered mind/From a trust went away/Suffered at the hands of love/Her blood/Your pain/These scars may never go away/Your world/Insane/This time you’d better run/Your fuel/Her fear/Can’t live inside your anger/Her blood/Your pain/She’ll rise and learn/To breathe again.”  This is another pretty straight forward message.  It would seem that there is even a little veiled threat at the abuser in these lines, too that also reminds him that woman will be better and one day rid herself of that man.  It is an empowering track that so many women will appreciate.  The discussion continues as the song’s second verse states, “Wrapped up in the arms/Of A place that she called home/Cuts and broken bones/The deepest wounds/Are the ones you cannot see/And now the end is up/It’s time to deal with me.”  There is that threat straightforward.  This is vengeance coming for the abuser.  Again, it is sure to empower women and remind potential abusers that they will get justice one way or another whether through the courts or through violence.  It is yet one more key example of the importance of the album’s lyrical content that when considered along with the other themes discussed, clearly shows where the record’s lyrical content stands.  When that group is considered along with the rest of the album’s lyrical content, that whole adds a whole new layer of engagement and entertainment.  When the overall appeal of the album’s lyrical content pairs with the album’s musical arrangements, that whole leaves no doubt as to the album’s success.
Putting the final touch to the whole of Rats in the Temple is the record’s production.  Thanks to the production each arrangement is so rich from beginning to end.  The balance of the vocals and instrumental performances is solid from one composition to the next.  The result is that the album’s general effect makes it that much more immersive for audiences.  When that general effect is considered along with the album’s overall content, that entirety makes Rats in the Temple unquestionably a successful album and welcome entry to this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums.
Rats in the Temple, the forthcoming latest album from Flotsam & Jetsam, is a solid new offering from the veteran thrash outfit that established audiences and more casual audiences alike will appreciate.  That is proven in part through its featured musical arrangements, which present plenty of familiarity and punch.  The album’s lyrical content makes for its own interest, hitting on some very relevant topics that will certainly resonate with audiences, too.  The record’s production rounds out its most important elements.  Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the album.  All things considered they make Rats in the Temple easily a welcome new addition to this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums.
Rats in the Temple is scheduled for release Aug. 28 through Napalm Records.  More information on the album is available along with all of Flotsam & Jetsam’s latest news at:
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