Flotsam and Jetsam’s new album, I Am The Weapon, is set to drop on September 13th, 2024, reinforcing their status as pillars of the metal genre. As veterans of the early thrash metal scene, with roots going back to their 1986 debut Doomsday For The Deceiver, the band expertly fuses their aggressive thrash origins with a modern U.S. power metal approach. This blend creates a sound that is likely to resonate with a wide range of metal fans. It’s also refreshing to see the band take some risks on a few new tracks, adding welcomed variety to the songwriting.

The full lineup from Blood In The Water is back, and their enhanced chemistry shines through. One of the first things that stands out with this release is the stunning album artwork by Andy Pilkington, featuring a more sinister-looking Flotzilla, continuing the visual theme of the past two albums. It’s impressive to witness Flotsam And Jetsam releasing some of their best work nearly 40 years into their career. Ever since their self-titled album in 2016 after signing with AFM Records, the band has shown renewed energy and vitality. What’s even more remarkable is that each AFM album has grown stronger, and I Am The Weapon is no exception in my opinion.

The album features four standout singles released ahead of its April 13th, 2024, release, and there’s not a weak track in sight. In fact, the album’s first four songs were chosen as singles, but the consistency of the album is so strong that the last four tracks could easily have been singles too. It’s truly an “all killer, no filler” situation. Be sure to check out the official music video for ‘A New Kind of Hero,’ where Erik “A.K.” Knutson plays a superhero, showcasing his flying abilities and comedic acting chops. It’s great to see the band embrace a lighter side in such a fun way.

Now, onto the specific album tracks. ‘A New Kind of Hero’ and ‘I Am The Weapon’ showcase Flotsam And Jetsam’s fierce thrash roots while seamlessly incorporating their modern melodic hooks. These two songs alone prove that longtime vocalist Eric “A.K.” Knutson remains one of metal’s finest. Having seen the band perform live at Wacken Open Air recently, I can confirm that Eric sounds just as incredible in person—no studio magic here. ‘Primal’ leans into European power metal, delivering one of the album’s catchiest choruses, a true earworm. Special mention goes to the guitar duo of Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley, who continue to impress with their innovative riffs, shredding solos, and electrifying lead trade-offs.

‘Burned My Bridges’ highlights Erik’s impressive vocal versatility, featuring a melodic, addictive chorus alongside power metal-inspired galloping guitar riffs, pounding drums, and a soaring lead guitar. The album takes a slight turn with two tracks that break away from Flotsam’s traditional writing style. ‘The Head Of The Snake’ showcases the band’s strengths but with an underlying groove metal vibe that adds a refreshing change of pace. I’m especially enjoying ‘Beneath The Shadows,’ which pushes the Flotsam sound even further with its incredibly melodic, straightforward approach, reminiscent of a band like ZZ Top. ‘The Gates Of Hell’ comes out shredding, spotlighting the band’s intense rhythm section—drummer Ken Mary and bassist Bill Bodily—featuring powerful double bass drumming, heavy bass lines, a more aggressive vocal performance from Erik, and some thrilling lead guitar work that keeps you on edge.

‘Cold Steel Lights’ feels like a “best-of” Flotsam track, where Michael and Steve truly shine on guitar, delivering an old-school Flotsam sound while still incorporating a massive, melodic chorus that only a vocalist like Erik could pull off. Erik also takes a unique vocal approach on ‘Kings Of The Underworld,’ using a stop-and-go vocal delivery in the verses, which adds an interesting twist. The album wraps up with two of my personal favorites—‘Running Through The Fire’ and the standout track, ‘Black Wings.’ Both are epic in scope, blending dramatic sections with powerful thrash and speed metal elements, soaring choruses, and strong power metal influences (especially on “Black Wings”). A special shout-out to Bill, whose heavy, chugging bass riffs on ‘Running Through The Fire’ add another layer to the track. The whole band is on fire on these final two songs. In an interview with Allfather-Metal, Michael Gilbert shared that the band’s epic power metal influence largely stems from the addition of guitarist Steve Conley back in 2013.

Flotsam And Jetsam’s 15th album, I Am The Weapon, continues to explore new musical territories while staying true to the band’s legendary core style. From a musicianship standpoint, everyone is at the top of their game, with A.K.‘s vocal performance defying his years. This album offers something for fans of all eras—whether you’re an old-school thrash fan, a newer power metal fan, or somewhere in between. With outstanding album artwork, production, and sound quality, I Am The Weapon is sure to land on my top albums list for the year. After nearly 40 years in the industry, the band has plenty to be proud of in 2024, proving they’re still at the peak of their musical creativity. A must-listen.