Arizona thrash metal veterans FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have released the official music video for the title track of their upcoming 16th studio album, "Rats In The Temple", slated for release on August 28, 2026 via Napalm Records. The album arrives at a landmark moment: 40 years since the band's groundbreaking 1986 debut, Doomsday For The Deceiver — still one of the only albums in history to receive a 6K rating from Kerrang! magazine.
The title track is a statement of intent: sweeping guitar harmonies, thunderous drumming, and the haunting wail of frontman Eric "A.K." Knutson — technically demanding, dark, and built to be devastating live. Knutson says of the song: "We're super excited to release the first single from the album, which is very fittingly the title track, 'Rats In The Temple'! This song has a lot to say, and we hope the fans love the song as much as we do. This is possibly one of the most technically challenging songs FLOTSAM has ever recorded, and we look forward to delivering this song live as well!"
The full album promises 13 tracks described by Knutson as "grim tales of death, abuse, betrayal, and war", inviting listeners into a dark world not far removed from our own. "This record is a BEAST, truly our best effort to date!!" Knutson declares. "Dim the lights, grab a drink, put the headphones on, and crank this up. You will not be sorry you did."
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's current lineup — Knutson alongside co-founder Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley (guitars), Ken Mary (ALICE COOPER, ACCEPT; drums), and Bill Bodily (bass) — is widely regarded as the band's strongest ever.
Their legacy began with the 1986 debut before bassist Jason Newsted departed to join METALLICA. They pushed on regardless, building a catalogue that has only grown stronger through The End Of Chaos (2019) and I Am The Weapon (2024). "Rats In The Temple" looks set to be their definitive statement at 40 years in.