Thrash metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo. The songs usually use fast percussive beats and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead guitar work. The lyrical subject matter often deals with criticisms of The Establishment and concern over the destruction of the environment, and at times shares a disdain for Christian dogma resembling that of their black metal counterparts. The language is typically direct and denunciatory, an approach borrowed from hardcore punk.
Flotsam and Jetsam is an American thrash metal band that was formed in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1981. Before settling on its current name in 1984, the band had existed under three different names, Paradox, Dredlox and Dogz. Their current lineup includes vocalist Eric "A.K" Knutson, guitarists Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley, bassist Bill Bodily, and drummer Ken Mary. Flotsam and Jetsam went through several lineup changes over the years, leaving Knutson as the only constant member. They are also notable for featuring founding member and bassist Jason Newsted, who left the band shortly after the release of their debut album to join Metallica as Cliff Burton's successor.
Jason Bittner is an American drummer, best known as the drummer for American metal band Shadows Fall. He is also the current drummer for Overkill since 2017, and was the drummer for the thrash metal bands Toxik from 2013 to 2014 and Flotsam and Jetsam from 2014 to 2017.
Gregory Christian is an American musician who is the former bassist for thrash metal band Testament. He left the band in 1996, but rejoined in 2004 and left again in 2014. In addition to Testament, Christian has also played in HavocHate and Trinity Fallen, and later served as the bassist for Trauma. He is known for his finger playing style and jazz-like bass parts, which can be heard on Testament songs such as "Souls of Black" and "Disciples of the Watch", although he has also occasionally been seen using a guitar pick. Christian also performed backing vocals in Testament.
No Place for Disgrace is the second album by American thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam, released in 1988. This marked the band's first album release through a major label, Elektra Records, and was also their first album with the bass guitarist Troy Gregory, who had replaced Jason Newsted when the latter left the band in 1986 to join Metallica. Despite not playing on the album, three songs on it were co-written by Newsted.
Doomsday for the Deceiver is the debut album by Flotsam and Jetsam. It was released on July 4, 1986, on a budget of $12,000, and recorded in two weeks. It is the only album by Flotsam and Jetsam with Jason Newsted before his departure for Metallica. Most lyrics were written by Newsted; his songwriting contributions also appeared on the band's next album No Place for Disgrace (1988) and their 2012 album Ugly Noise.
When the Storm Comes Down is the third studio album by thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam, released in 1990. It was the last album with Troy Gregory on bass guitar, as he left the band in 1991 to join Prong. It was also the first Flotsam and Jetsam album released on MCA Records, and the first one not to include songwriting contributions by former bassist Jason Newsted, who at the time was in Metallica and co-wrote the band's first two albums.
Cuatro is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Flotsam and Jetsam, released on October 13, 1992 via MCA Records. This was the band's first album with bassist Jason Ward, who had replaced Troy Gregory the year before.
High is the sixth album by American thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam, released on June 3, 1997. It was their first release on Metal Blade Records since 1986's Doomsday for the Deceiver, whereas their previous three albums were released on MCA.
Unnatural Selection is the seventh album by American thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam, released on January 26, 1999. It was the band's first album with two new members, Craig Nielsen (drums) and Mark Simpson (guitarist).
My God is the eighth album by the thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam. It was released on May 22, 2001 and was their last release on Metal Blade Records until the 2013 reissue of Ugly Noise.
Dreams of Death is the ninth studio album by the thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam. It was released on 26 July 2005.
Ken K Mary is an American musician who has worked as a drummer, producer, engineer, singer, record executive and writer on over thirty-five albums that combined have sold over five million copies worldwide. He has worked in genres from heavy rock to choral music. Mary is best known for his work with notable acts such as Accept, Fifth Angel, Chastain, TKO, Impellitteri, House of Lords, Bonfire and Alice Cooper, and is currently the drummer of Flotsam and Jetsam.
The Cold is the tenth album by the thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam. It was released on 14 September 2010. It was engineered & mixed by Ralph Patlan. The album artwork was created by Travis Smith.
Ugly Noise is the eleventh studio album by the thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam, released on December 21, 2012. In order to make this album, Flotsam and Jetsam used PledgeMusic, encouraging their fans to contribute funds to its recording and the band themselves to donate to charity as a part of their fundraising.
Dead by Wednesday is an American heavy metal band from New Haven, Connecticut, formed in 2006. The band's current lineup includes founding members Christian "Opus" Lawrence (drums) and Michael Modeste (bass), along with Dave Sharpe (guitar) and Steve Alvarez (vocals).
The End of Chaos is the thirteenth studio album by American thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam, released on January 18, 2019. It was their first album to feature drummer Ken Mary, and the last to include bassist Michael Spencer before his split from the band in 2020.
Flotsam and Jetsam is the twelfth studio album by the thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam, released on 20 May 2016. The song "Iron Maiden", a tribute to the famous band. This is the only Flotsam and Jetsam album to feature drummer Jason Bittner, who left the band shortly after its release to join Overkill. The track "L.O.T.D." stands for "Legion of the Damned" and was originally written during the "No Place for Disgrace" sessions. "Forbidden Territories" was written by Mike Spencer when he was in Sentinel Beast, who also recorded a version in 2009, as well as a version re-worked by Sentinel Beast guitarist Barry Fischel and recorded by his band Fischel's Beast the same year.
Hatchet is an American thrash metal band from San Francisco, California, formed in January 2005 by guitarist and vocalist Julz Ramos, the band's only remaining original member. To date, they have released four studio albums, two demos and one EP, and are now notable for being part of the thrash metal revival movement in the late 2000s. Influenced by the new wave of British heavy metal and Bay Area thrash metal scenes of the 1980s, Hatchet's music has been variously described by critics as thrash metal, crossover thrash and punk rock.
Blood in the Water is the fourteenth studio album by American thrash metal band Flotsam and Jetsam, which was released on June 4, 2021. It is the band's first release with new bassist Bill Bodily, who had replaced Michael Spencer in November 2020.
