Flotsam And Jetsam have released the official music video for “Harvesting The Hate”, the second single from their upcoming album Rats In The Temple, scheduled for release on August 28, 2026, through Napalm Records.
Opening the record, “Harvesting The Hate” wastes no time delivering relentless thrash, driven by pounding double kicks and the twin-guitar attack of Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley.
Frontman Eric “A.K.” Knutson explained the song’s message: “Another heavy, dramatic beast of a song from our arsenal of madness. This one asks you to look in the mirror, to find the true problem in your life. And stop harvesting the hate!”
For nearly four decades, Flotsam And Jetsam have remained one of thrash metal’s most consistent acts. Recent releases such as The End Of Chaos and I Am The Weapon have reinforced the band’s reputation while staying connected to the legacy established by Doomsday For The Deceiver and No Place For Disgrace, two records that helped define the group’s early years.
According to the band, Rats In The Temple features 13 tracks built around themes including death, betrayal, abuse and war, presenting a darker reflection of the world around us.
Speaking about the new album, Knutson said: “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!!!”
The current Flotsam And Jetsam lineup features Knutson alongside founding guitarist Michael Gilbert, guitarist Steve Conley, drummer Ken Mary (Alice Cooper, Accept) and bassist Bill Bodily. The band considers this lineup one of its strongest, combining veteran experience with technical precision across every position.
Rats In The Temple also marks the 40th anniversary of the band’s debut album, Doomsday For The Deceiver, the landmark release that famously earned a rare 6K rating from Kerrang!. Although bassist Jason Newsted left shortly after to join Metallica, Flotsam and Jetsam continued building their catalog with No Place For Disgrace before expanding it with later releases including Flotsam And Jetsam, The End Of Chaos, Blood In The Water and I Am The Weapon.
The new album kicks off with “Harvesting The Hate” and “Damnation”, two tracks that combine memorable hooks with razor-sharp musicianship. From there, “Absolution” leans into technical thrash, while “Blame The Knife” and the title track showcase the chemistry between Gilbert and Conley. “The Ghost Behind My Door” and “First On The Spike” continue the record’s aggressive pace, blending classic thrash influences with a modern edge.
Later in the album, “The Edge Of Nowhere” builds tension before giving way to “Last Rites”. Ken Mary and Bill Bodily take the spotlight on the anti-war track “A Taste For War”, while “Her Blood Your Pain” introduces melodic guitar harmonies ahead of the full-speed attack of “Anthem For The Broken”. The closing stretch continues with “Going Down That Way”, wrapping up an album that explores multiple sides of Flotsam And Jetsam‘s sound while staying rooted in the band’s thrash foundation.
