FLOTSAM AND JETSAM “Iron Tears & Metal Shock” /CD/

Remastered re-release of the debut full-length studio album by legendary American Power/Thrash Metal band.
Released on July 4, 1986, on a budget of $12 000, and recorded in two weeks, it's the only album by Flotsam And Jetsam with Jason Newsted before his departure to Metallica. Most lyrics were written by Newsted; his songwriting contributions also appeared on the band's next album "No Place For Disgrace" and their 2012 album "Ugly Noise".
Though a little rough in the production department, "Doomsday For The Deceiver" attempts both short bursts of Thrashing intensity ("Desecrator", "Iron Tears") as well as extended, multi-part epics ("Metalshock" and the title track). Bassist and lyricist Jason Newsted occasionally attempts to squeeze too many words into some songs, but also displays a refreshing sense of humor (a rarity in this genre) on "Hammerhead" and "She Took an Axe". "U.S.L.W." is rather good but the nine-minute-plus title track is the best cut on the album, largely due to guitarist Michael Gilbert's very tasteful acoustic guitar intro.
The album was the first of only a handful to ever receive a 6k rating from the influential British Kerrang! Magazine. The album cover can be seen in the 1988 movie "Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers".
"Doomsday For The Deceiver" was ranked at number six on Loudwire's list "Top 10 Thrash Albums NOT Released by the Big 4".
Flotsam And Jetsam's debut is yet another feather in the cap of Metal history and an important record for fans of early Thrash Metal!
Re-release includes booklet-poster and “Metal Shock” demo 1985 as a bonus.
Metal Blade Records, 1986/2006/2018 (3984-14077-0). Made in Germany. Pressed in Austria.


Tracklist:
1. Hammerhead 6:13
2. Iron Tears 3:50
3. Desecrator 3:48
4. Fade To Black 2:04
5. Doomsday For The Deceiver 9:08
6. Metalshock 8:16
7. She Took An Axe 5:16
8. U.L.S.W. 4:19
9. Der Führer 5:44
10. Flotzilla 6:09
“Metal Shock” Demo 1985
11. Hammerhead 6:34
12. The Evil Sheik 5:27
13. I Live You Die 6:26
14. The Beast Within 4:09
Total playing time: 77:23 min.

Re-recorded version of the second full-length studio album, “No Place For Disgrace”, by legendary American Power/Thrash Metal band.
Flotsam And Jetsam received many requests to remix the album. They had experienced difficulties in obtaining the master tapes of the 1988 album and, as such, so they decided to re-record the album. The band, consisting of the same line-up that recorded that early gem, rehashed the sharp-edged sword of "No Place For Disgrace", now vial Metal Blade Records!
On February 14, 2014, the band re-released the album with Tory Edwards on violin and mandolin. Of the decision, the band commented that: "The aim was not really to change but to enhance it with the opportunity with the use of new tools".
The original version album release marked the band's first album to be released through a major label, Elektra Records, and was also their first album with the bass guitarist Troy Gregory, who had replaced Jason Newsted when the latter left the band in 1986 to join Metallica. Though they had recently lost lyricist and principal songwriter, Jason Newsted, Arizona Thrashers neatly avoided the sophomore slump with "No Place for Disgrace". The album basically repeats the formula of their debut but benefits from a cleaner yet still-in-your face production job. Despite not playing on the album, three songs on it were co-written by Newsted.
"No Place For Disgrace" is thematically much darker than "Doomsday For The Deceiver", and while some of the band's subsequent albums have a more political edge, the lyrical content of the album was similar to its predecessor, focusing on themes centred around history and literature, as well as Satanism and the occult.
"No Place For Disgrace" also received some notice for its cover of an Elton John song, "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)", and upon its release charted on Billboard at #143.
"No Place For Disgrace 2014" - now is in a some slower pace, sounded heavier, chunkier, cleaner, tighter, and moderately smoother. This new production setting accentuated the lead twin guitar work of Edward Carlson and Michael Gilbert, which sounded grand, both exchanging energetic alongside touchy soloing showcases, combined with hard edge rhythm guitar riffs that celebrated the hey days of that album. Eric A.K. rejoiced the occasion with an amazing vocal performance with a tougher indentation, clearly one of the best Speed/Thrash vocalists that isn't rasping or growling his way into a different zone. As for the rhythm section of Kelly David-Smith and Michael Spencer, no less than blissful grace, slow tempo it is on several occurrences, but still kicking ass.
Flotsam And Jetsam made a sweet tribute to their past with the release of this old gemstone. Congratulations to the band for fighting to keep Metal alive and alight!!
Walk The Plank Music/Metal Blade Records, 1988//2014 (3984-15290-2). Made in Germany. Pressed in Austria. First press.


Tracklist:
1. No Place For Disgrace 7:01
2. Dream Of Death 5:55
3. N.E. Terror 6:13
4. Escape From Within 7:18
5. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) (Elton John cover) 4:06
6. Hard On You 5:01
7. I Live You Die 6:18
8. Misguided Fortune 6:34
9. P.A.A.B. 6:25
10. The Jones 4:22
Total playing time: 59:13 min.

The first compilation album by legendary American Power/Speed/Thrash Metal band.
For the first time on vinyl, legendary Speed/Thrash Metal demos’ remastered re-issue!
They came to the forefront of Thrash Metal a little later than most big bands of the time, but still knew how to enchant the listeners. Their debut album is a real gem. If you don't know the album "Doomsday For The Deceiver", you are missing a vital piece of history in your education of Heavy and/or Thrash Metal. The line-up then was impressive, and everybody reading this will know that after this album was released, bassist Jason Newsted went on and joined Metallica. He was the replacement for Cliff Burton, who tragically died in a bus crash when touring in Sweden. If this chain of events is news for you, you are either very young or very ignorant.
These two demos led to the band being signed to Metal Blade Records as to record their debut album "Doomsday For The Deceiver". Listening to these demos, it becomes clear very fast that the songs on them are very, very strong indeed, warranting them being given a record deal in the first place. The sound is quite good, but you can hear that we are talking demo material here. Classics like "Iron Tears", "Hammerhead" and "Metal Shock" made it onto that illusive debut, while with a song like "I Live You Die" we had to wait until their second (brilliant) album "No Place For Disgrace" before it was available to the public. "Iron Tears" was Flotsam's 2-track debut demo from 1985. The 4-track "Metal Shock" demo (1985) contains the only recordings of the tracks "The Evil Sheik" and "The Beast Within"!
The last three songs on the album are live ones. What is especially enthralling is that the live version of "Iron Tears" was actually recorded in Jason Newsted's apartment. The other two showcases how much heavier the band was when they played live, something that was thankfully captured in the recordings of their early albums. Especially "Hammerhead", which sounds a bit hesitant on the demo, really comes to life in this live recording, as does "She Took An Axe". Another brilliant example of a song that landed onto the debut album. 16-page booklet includes rare pictures and extensive interview with founding member Kelly Smith.
Line-up: Michael Gilbert - guitars; Eric A.K. - vocals; Jason Newsted - bass; Kelly David-Smith - drums; Edward Carlson - guitars.
Flotsam and Jetsam's founder, bassist, and chief songwriter Jason Newsted joined Metallica in 1987 (after Cliff Burton's tragic dead).
Those real fans who haven't been able to get hold of the old demos and/or live recordings will be quite thrilled with this release!
Limited Edition Red Vinyl.
Vic Records And Music Publishing B.V., 2024 (VIC332LP). Made in Netherlands. First press.


Tracklist:

Side I
"Iron Tears" Demo 1985
1. Iron Tears 4:07
2. I Live You Die 6:07
Bonus Tracks:
3. Hammerhead (Live in Jason’s Apartment) 6:27
4. She Took an Axe (Live at the Pony Express 1985) 5:31

Side II
"Metal Shock" Demo 1985
1. Hammerhead 6:35
2. The Evil Sheikh 5:27
3. I Live You Die 6:27
4. The Beast Within 4:10