Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice recently spoke to Flotsam And Jetsam’s guitarist Michael Gilbert as the band is set to release their new self titled album on May 20, 2016 on AFM records

On the difference in musical styles from their last albums to their new self titled album:

“What we did differently is we really focused on the songs because the last two years the feedback we got is we really want you guys to go back to old school thrash. We have been experimenting with a lot of stuff, we have been using some samples here and there, we slowed some songs down, and we’ve gone to some different genres. Just exploring a little bit, which feels good to me but what really feels like home is the thrash metal, the fast, speed metal we were doing on the first two records. So we got together and writing this album made more sense to me to play that type of music and it just feels more like home, ok this is what we belong to, this is what we do.”

On their reason for writing and releasing as a first single a song called "Iron Maiden":

“It was never a convinced idea, hey let’s do a song that kind of sounds like an Iron Maiden song. It was never designed for that at all. This one was one of Steve’s ideas and by the time it was done and Erica A.K. put that vocal melody on it, it was like 'Oh wow this is pretty cool.' We have gotten a lot of really great feedback. I haven’t seen one bad review on it yet.”

On if the band was ever upset with Jason Newsted for leaving them in 1986 to join Metallica:

“It’s was a great opportunity for him. I’m still great friends with Newsted I talk to him at least once or twice a month. Nobody was ever really mad at him. It was just a decision he wanted to make. We all knew Newsted was the guy for this, so we kind of expected it. Jason was definitely the right guy to fill Cliff’s shoes, really nobody can but Jason brought to Metallica his personality to that band. He has always been an over the top personality. Just an awesome character to hand out with, he is very funny, he is larger than life when you hang out with him.”

On whether Jason Newsted regretted quitting Flotsam and Jetsam after Metallica lowered his bass parts on ...And Justice For All:

“When he left this band he was deep into it, he was a full member and there would be no other band that he would leave to go join Metallica.  Garage Inc. came out before that and you can hear the bass on that and it sounded killer. And when Justice came out there was no bass, and I am not speaking because he told me this or that. Oh shit what the hell did I just do, I’m still in this band and but I am not heard. Which is awful because that guy is a tremendous bass player?"

Watch the whole interview below:

Flotsam And Jetsam have premiered a lyric video for the new track “Iron Maiden”, featured on the band’s new self-titled album, due for release on May 20th via AFM Records. The clip can be found below.

In addition to being available as a digipak CD, the album will also be available as a limited gatefold 2LP edition in black and gold, both limited to 500 copies.

A limited edition boxset (500 copies) will also be released and includes the digipak, a Flotsam And Jetsam flag (official tour backdrop design), patch, printed autograph card, and certificate of authenticity. Order details can be found at the AFM Records Shop.

The band states about signing with AFM Records: “Flotsam And Jetsam really appreciated the fact that AFM laid out a legitimate, business plan for us when they made their offer to sign us. We believe they are as committed to us as a band, as we are to providing them with quality metal to get behind and promote. Along with signing to a new label, all the forward movement for the band in the last two years has also allowed us to partner with new team members; like Chris Collier of CMC21 Productions, who just completed the mixing and mastering of the album and Andy Pilkington of Very Metal Art out of the UK, for the album cover and stage production art, who are both doing a phenomenal job for us. We’re looking forward to playing the music on this album live, which hasn’t been a luxury for the band on past releases, as well as debuting our new stage look.”

Flotsam And Jetsam album tracklisting:

“Seventh Seal”
“Life Is A Mess”
“Taser”
“Iron Maiden”
“Verge Of Tragedy”
“Creeper”
“L.O.T.D.”
“The Incantation”
“Monkey Wrench”
“Time To Go”
“Smoking Gun”
“Forbidden Territories”

“Iron Maiden” lyric video:

Flotsam and Jetsam is:

Eric “AK” Knutson - vocals
Steve Conley - guitars
Michael Gilbert - guitars
Michael Spencer - bass
Jason Bittner- drums