The first ever live video release from Arizona's thrash/groove metallers, here. Flotsam And Jetsam had operated for 20 years before they got anything like this out. The DVD includes a live set, that happened in their hometown Phoenix, Arizona in July 2003, and a "candid" (as it reads on the cover) interview and "rare" photo slide show is all they had to offer? This is totally fucking basic! Well, in its scarce general content anyway.
The band started in 1984 as a tight thrash metal quintet with some melodiousness in their music, and as metal music was experiencing death rattles in early 1990s, Flots got all groovy and alternative to the point where they fared outside metal music, too. I truly found the band via 1992 album 'Cuatro', and maybe this is why I can tolerate the band's protean output. To tell the truth, I think their worst album is 1997 release 'High', where they found out "it's OK to be metal" again. It was metal okay, but the songwriting seriously lacks, despite a couple of cool songs! However, they only had one direction after it, and it was up, which they achieved.
Okay, the live part of the DVD, then. The thing begins with almost 5 minutes of before the show banter. The set classily opens with 'No Place for Disgrace'. The songs are from all albums from 1986 debut 'Doomsday for the Deceiver' to 2001's 'My God', except nothing from 'High'. I find it to be a nice mixture of tight high-octane thrash metal and more groovier or almost progressive bits, and calmer times. 'Hammerhead', from the debut album, is true thrashing, while 'Chemical Noose' from 1999 is bouncy and groovy roller. 'Wading through the Darkness' is an utterly dark piece, but still works well in live setting. So, not all-out thrashing, of course, because the band never duplicated their albums.
Playing is fine from every guy; it all looks so easy... By the way, the original guitarist Edward Carlson is accompanied by Mark Simpson, who came in for 1999 platter 'Unnatural Selection'. Jason Ward was on bass guitar (already since 1991) and the drumming was handled (and legged, surely, since 1997) by Craig Nielsen. The one and only Erik A. Knutson's voice is at times raspier and fragile than normally, like it was tired from touring, but he still manages to do some shrieks and generally, good singing. And not to forget how unique his voice is in whole metal scene! It fits with all kind of material very well, and is volatile for sure. As a whole it is a very energetic performance from the band. A thoroughly enjoyable piece of history for those Flots fans who do not dwell only in oldest albums' times. The song selection is never what everyone wants anyway, no matter what crumbs thrown for hungry alley cats...
The live mix is rather well-balanced affair with lots of lower frequencies detailed. Sometimes it sounds like one of two guitars get somewhat lost. Generally, it is OK on the sound front, but the picture... The picture is grainy and quite a bit smaller than TV screen, taking about 80% of it. The cutting is fast, and reminds me of Iron Maiden's post-2000 live releases with rapid cutting. Well, the music is often fast, anyway. Panning and zooming is happening a lot. Gives vividness to it all, but especially fast back and forth zooming is an eyesore. Lots of close shots, some from audience and from back of the venue, too. It's probably 5-ish cameras. But in all, this is very dated, picture-wise.
The backstage interview (33 minutes long) mainly has somewhat plastered A.K. being a bit naughty, and clearly more clear-headed Mr. Carlson babbling about some history about the band. Other guys, who came onboard later, talk some more or less essential stuff. It all gives at least some insight about the band's years. But! It isn't very scripted at all. The slide show has more or less bad quality shots (mostly from this DVD, now that's fucking rare that was promised?!), with Flots tunes playing at the same time, of course. In all it is inadequate to say the least.
All this, or more like only this, on two discs and no booklet to talk about, any Flots fan must feel unsatisfied. Loads of wasted potential! However, the comprehensive setlist should gratify more open-minded followers. For that reason alone, this is a worthy pick for them. And Flotsam And Jetsam are very much metal again, surfing on a new crest of a wave. And sincerely deservedly so!
Rating: 6+ (out of 10) ratings explained
Reviewed by Lane
01/22/2019 18:00
