Back in 2006, '80s thrash metallers Flotsam and Jetsam announced a date at the Underworld which ended up getting cancelled. A few years later in 2010, the Americans were due to play the capital again but due to unforeseen circumstances, this date fell through too. Now five years later, another date is scheduled and this one actually prevails! Despite the band not having played a tour in England since the late '80s, the Underworld's secondary door is open on this warm evening signalling that ticket sales have been undeservedly underwhelming.
Support comes from Belgian thrashers Bliksem, formed in 2007 and with one full-length to their name. Fired out from the amps is standard modern thrash metal relatable to Exodus' later output, energetic with the occasional sinister guitar melody incorporated into the formula and, most strikingly, the vocals of Peggy Meeussen that position them apart from any bog-standard thrashers. Her vocals are competent, a strong heavy metal voice that nods towards the violent vigor that thrash metal traditionally associates itself with. As a support band, they fit the bill but the lack of particularly attention-grabbing musicianship marks Bliksem as unmemorable in the tide of modern thrash metallers nowadays.
Exploding on stage with the six minute title track from 'No Place for Disgrace', thrash metal legends Flotsam and Jetsam launch a delicious razor-sharp assault of '80s thrash metal that sees the Underworld cheering ecstatically. The thrash metal being devoured by the fans is impressively fast with heavy metal melodies on the guitars coupled with creative bass work rather than the redundant positons that bassist usually maintain in metal bands. The vocals of Eric A.K. retain an impressive sound in 2015, still firing out that heavy/power metal style with higher notes and an almost operatic nuance. The stage presence of the headliners is very dynamic with plenty of movement, despite the compact size of the stage and A.K. ensures all eyes are on him with his practiced performance.
The setlist is nothing short of a crowd-pleaser with first album 'Doomsday for the Deceiver' and sophomore release 'No Place for Disgrace' represented with six selections each. Headbangers 'Der Fuhrer', 'Hammerhead' and 'I Live, You Die' take no issue commanding hectic mosh pits while ballad 'Escape from Within' shows the band's ability to produce music beyond the extreme. Peppering their set with songs from albums beyond the first two include 'Swatting At Flies', 'Smoked Out' and 'Gitty Up', illustrating a more contemporary heavy rock sound with a focus on groove yet still aggressive. Naturally, the audience is less familiar with these numbers but they still attain a solid ovation from the punters.
As the song 'No Place for Disgrace' secures another celebration from the venue, Flotsam and Jetsam thank the crowd and leave the stage. The promptness of their exit suggest there will be an encore and with impressed audience members refusing to budge and chanting for more, it is not long before the Americans return for 'P.A.A.B.' complete with sumptuous dual guitar melodies from Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley. One final headbanging and mosh session from the crowd punctuate and leave Flotsam and Jetsam with a strong memory of their first time in the capital in over 25 years.
Undoubtedly if this show was on a weekend, the attendance figures would have swollen dramatically but the lazy thrash metallers in the capital should have done more to be in attendance tonight, particularly given how scare thrash metal shows are here compared to other metal subgenres. Nonetheless, those that were present left with beaming smiles as Flotsam and Jetsam certainly did not disappoint. Hopefully they will return to London far sooner than they were last here and hopefully word would have travelled through London that they put on a storm of a show.
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.