American thrash metal pioneers Flotsam And Jetsam are gearing up to unleash their explosive Napalm Records debut and new studio album “Rats in the Temple”, on August 28th, 2026.
The legends from Arizona have been a fixture of the metal scene for the better part of the last four decades. With modern renaissance records like “The End of Chaos” (2019) and “I Am the Weapon” (2024), capturing the glory of their inceptional material, the Kerrang! championed classic “Doomsday for the Deceiver” (1986) and “No Place for Disgrace” (1988), it’s no wonder they’re still raising hell for their throngs of dedicated fans along festival circuits internationally!
“Rats in the Temple” lunges out full force with 13 rabid onslaughts of ornate guitarmonies, pummeling double bass kicks, hypnotic bass grooves, and exalted frontman Eric A.K. Knutson’s unmistakably haunting wail. As the temple is besieged by vermin, Flotsam And Jetsam line the walls with grim tales of death, abuse, betrayal, and war, inviting listeners into a dark world not too distant from our own.
Frontman Eric A.K. Knutson said about the album:
“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”!
“Rats in the Temple” opens strong with the stadium-ready hooks and dizzyingly precise performances of “Harvesting The Hate” and “Damnation”, before delving into thrash virtuosity on “Absolution”. The iconic guitar duo of Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley paint vividly ghoulish images on tracks like “Blame the Knife” and “Rats in the Temple”, then continue to flex their metal muscle on “The Ghost Behind My Door” and “First on the Spike”, invoking pure first-wave excellence with a pummeling modern menace. “The Edge of Nowhere” builds inescapable suspense before firing listeners out of a gun, full throttle into “Last Rites”, another standout track for the band. The legendary rhythm duo of drummer Ken Mary and bassist Bill Bodily take center stage on the anti-war anthem “A Taste For War”, their methodical syncopation invoking images of tanks and boots on the ground. “Her Blood Your Pain” brings ornate, medieval guitarmonies before “Anthem for the Broken” goes full balls to the wall, and “Going Down That Way” hits listeners with heavy riffs and even heavier truths. “Rats in the Temple” remains enthralling throughout, giving listeners entry to numerous of the band’s metal chambers, sampling a refined and eclectic serving of influences.
Churning like magma beneath the Earth, Flotsam And Jetsam have only been growing more and more fiery with time, and “Rats in the Temple” sees the band exploding to the surface in a magnificent and awe-inspiring blaze. For fans new and longstanding, you cannot escape them; they’re through the walls.
“Rats in the Temple” will be available in the following formats:
• 2-LP Gatefold (White Label Edition), incl. LP-sized Booklet – Napalm Mailorder exclusive
• 2-LP Gatefold (Splattered Vinyl), incl. LP-sized Booklet – Napalm Mailorder exclusive
• 2-LP Gatefold (Black)
• 1-CD Digisleeve
• Digital Album
Pre-order & pre-save “Rats in the Temple” here.
Tracklist:
1. Harvesting the Hate
2. Damnation
3. Absolution
4. Blame the Knife
5. Rats in the Temple
6. The Ghost behind my Door
7. First on the Spike
8. The Edge of Nowhere
9. Last Rites
10. A Taste for War
11. Her Blood your Pain
12. Anthem for the Broken
13. Not Going down that Way
Line-up:
Eric A.K. Knutson – Vocals
Michael Gilbert – Guitars
Steve Conley – Guitars
William Bodily – Bass
Ken Mary – Drums
