Classic album review. Flotsam and Jetsam, Doomsday for the Deceiver

Flotsam and Jetsam, Doomsday for the Deceiver (Metal Blade-1986)

Thrash metal was still pretty much new in 1986, for the old school metal fan it was just too fast and too loud. Hair metal seemed to be popular at this point and it was time for a new sound. Metallica, Slayer and Megadeth all made albums that made thrash metal sell many albums but one missed out.

Underground music back then was not able to have MP3s available on I Tunes or have a website to spread the bands name and sound. All you could do is turn up and play wherever you could. That is what they done and luckily got a deal with Metal Blade.

Notably the band included a Jason Newsted who would later join Metallica. But in this band he was the main songwriter. And he was regarded as being the band member who lead them all.
The music is heavily influenced by his bass playing. More in a style of Steve Harris from Iron Maiden, a fast train like ramble that forces the drummer to play fast as well. Constant drum and bass fills in songs with some solos taking a step back.

Some of the album is a kind of cross of punk and metal, along the lines of Discharge with a rock singer and faster riffs. But the album does contain acoustic parts arpeggiated for the classic music sound that then drills into the full on band playing faster and giving Slayer a run for there money.

Something they have really different is that singer Eric A.K. seems to think he is the Ronnie James Dio, but he does pull it off and at times the album sounds better for his high singing. Most thrash bands had singers who would hide the vocals away under the music to save blushes when trying to impress the listener.

Something I like in this album is how each track seems to have its own unique start. 
For some reason the metal buying public missed this one out. When Metallica and co do the Big Four tour it really should have been a Big Five. One thing that this album did do was give the band a major label deal for the next record with Elektra Records.

Later albums seem to have slipped by as well but this being the debut and while the band was still learning and to think they were all so young at the time. It has the whole attitude of the underground 80s music feel to it and the songs are still so good.

This album is why the likes of Metallica and Pantera had to move on and change there sound. 

If you want the nostalgic 80s feel you can get this on 2x12" reissue and CD