Flotsam and Jetsam band photo

FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Unleashes New Album 'Rats In The Temple'

By Jason •
The Thrash Legends Return with a Fierce Musical Onslaught This August

American thrash metal pioneers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have officially announced their upcoming album, 'Rats In The Temple', set to drop on August 28, 2026, via Napalm Records. For nearly four decades, these Arizona metal legends have been a steadfast force in the scene, continuing to dominate with modern masterpieces like 'The End Of Chaos' (2019) and 'I Am The Weapon' (2024), which echo the power of their iconic early works, 'Doomsday For The Deceiver' (1986) and 'No Place For Disgrace' (1988).

'Rats In The Temple' is poised to deliver a relentless barrage of 13 tracks, showcasing the band’s signature style with intricate guitarmonies, thunderous double bass kicks, and the haunting wails of frontman Eric "A.K." Knutson, who invites listeners into a dark realm rife with tales of death, betrayal, and war. Knutson himself states, "This record is a BEAST, truly our best effort to date! Do yourself a favor. Dim the lights, grab a drink, put the headphones on, and crank this up. You will not be sorry you did!"

With what many consider their strongest lineup yet, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM brings together the magical vocals of Knutson, the blistering guitar work of co-founder Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley, and the powerful drumming of Ken Mary (known for his work with ALICE COOPER and ACCEPT), alongside the extraordinary technical prowess of bassist Bill Bodily.

Marking 40 years since their groundbreaking debut, 'Doomsday For The Deceiver', which famously received a 6K rating from Kerrang!, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM has proven their resilience through lineup changes, most notably when bassist Jason Newsted left to join METALLICA. The band has continued to evolve, showcasing their best work with recent albums like 'Blood In The Water' and 'Flotsam And Jetsam'.

'Rats In The Temple' kicks off with the electrifying tracks "Harvesting The Hate" and "Damnation," before plunging into the thrash mastery of "Absolution." The iconic guitar duo brings forth vivid imagery with tracks like "Blame The Knife" and the title track, while "The Edge Of Nowhere" builds suspense leading into the high-octane "Last Rites." The anti-war anthem "A Taste For War" showcases the rhythm pair of Mary and Bodily in a powerful display of syncopation, evoking the chaos of battle. The album's closing tracks, including "Anthem For The Broken" and "Going Down That Way," promise to leave a lasting impression with their heavy riffs and unyielding truths.

Prepare to dive deep into FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's latest offering, as 'Rats In The Temple' invites you into a labyrinth of metal brilliance.