Flotsam and Jetsam
Doomsday For the Deceiver
Metal Blade
Flotzilla returns! You know, the big green lizard guy.
The timing of Jason Newsted's departure from Flotsam and Jetsam to join Metallica in late 1986 had a double-edged effect on the Arizona band: They'd lost a key member mere months after their debut was released, but on the other hand, waves of curious Metallibashers (yours truly included) scurried to record stores to hear that band with the funny name, and were treated to a real gem from the American thrash era.
As admired as Doomsday is, it's an odd duck of an album. But it's an endearing one, partially entrenched in early '80s NWOBHM and doggedly trying to climb on the Bay Area thrash bandwagon at the same time. The two styles collide, sometimes awkwardly ("She Took an Axe"), but with often rousing results, as on the furious double-time meets double entendre of "Hammerhead" and the contagious "Iron Tears," which has singer Eric A.K. in full-on power metal shriek mode. However, "Desecrator," the ironically ornate "Metalshock," and the epic title track show some real imagination, with guitarists Mike Gilbert and Ed Carlson swapping leads and staccato riffs and Newsted showcasing his own bass prowess.
The extras on this swanky three-disc reissue are plentiful; we get both the original version of the album as well as a punchy remix (call me a geezer, but I like that muddy old Slagel production), plus a pair of 1985 demos; but the real fun is to be had on the accompanying DVD, including live performances, a painfully awkward high school interview, and a hilarious video treatment of "Hammerhead" that must be seen to be believed. —Adrien Begrand
