In a recent conversation with Disturbing The Priest podcast, Michael Gilbert, guitarist for legendary Arizona thrash metallers Flotsam and Jetsam, expressed a clear and confident sentiment about the band’s current trajectory.
When asked if the band was in a “golden age,” Gilbert did not hesitate: “Oh, a hundred percent. And we’re all stoked about it too,” he said, adding that despite the band’s long and storied history, he believes that their last four records have been their strongest: “Throughout our career, everybody’s always gone back to the first two records, the classic ones. And personally, I feel like our last four records have been our best. This is who we are now.”
This affirmation comes at a pivotal moment in the band’s career. Flotsam and Jetsam has been a mainstay in the thrash metal scene since the late ‘80s, but as Gilbert points out, the band’s newer work often goes underappreciated: “It’s a little bit frustrating because there’s a lot of people that come up to me and the guys in the band as well, saying they don’t even know we have anything new out. They didn’t know. Nobody knows what’s going on.”
The frustration is palpable as he details how, despite releasing high-quality material, the band struggles with getting it in front of fans: “So there are a lot of factors for it, but usually, that starts with a record label not doing a couple of things. In the digital age, promotions right now, are not like they used to be. And granted, we’re older dudes. We don’t know how to do all the social media stuff, or we do, but we’re just not good at it”
Still, the band isn’t backing down. Gilbert admits, “We’re getting on board. We’re learning a lot of stuff and we’re trying to figure it out.” The band’s rise in popularity, thanks to their newer releases, has given them a fresh sense of optimism. “We’re moving to a different tier too, like a different platform. The band is on an upward trajectory, for sure,” Gilbert emphasized.
For many fans, discovering Flotsam and Jetsam’s newer work after being introduced to their classic tracks is a revelation. “Getting new fans like you, that’s great. You heard the classic stuff, but then now you’ve heard the newer stuff. And it sounds to me like you’re digging the newer stuff as well, or more than the older stuff, which is… That’s what I wanna hear.” Gilbert concluded, clearly excited by the shift in fan reception.
This sentiment is especially important given the tension surrounding setlists at live shows. Festivals often request that bands stick to their classic hits to satisfy the audience’s nostalgia. But Gilbert, along with the band, has made it clear that they want to showcase their new material.
“We’ve got new records out. We wanna play our new stuff.’ So what we’re starting to do is we’re getting higher guarantees for the older classic sets, because we wanna shelve that for the most part and show off what we’re doing now, and just do it for special occasions” Gilbert said decisively.
While Flotsam and Jetsam will still honor their past, they’re not content to live in it. Gilbert pointed to their recent performance at Keep It True festival in Germany: “We did it there and that went over great. And we’re gonna do it on 70000 Tons — we’re playing the first and second records only, and they’ve requested that, but we can’t keep doing that. We’ve gotta move forward at some point, and I think our material is as strong or stronger than our older stuff. I just want people to hear it.”
The band’s latest album, “I Am The Weapon,” released in 2023, is undeniable proof of their growth and evolution. In a world where metal bands often rely heavily on their past to survive, Flotsam and Jetsam is a rare example of a group that’s not afraid to move forward and embrace their current identity. As Gilbert proudly states, “This is who we are now.” The band may never forget their roots, but they are undeniably ready to leave them behind and chart a bold, new course. It’s a message that their long-time fans, and new ones, will undoubtedly embrace – if they just give it a chance.
