Flotsam & Jetsam Ink Record Deal With Metal Blade Records; Band On Tour Now With Testament!

Flotsam and Jetsam, arguably one of the most influential and prominent acts from Thrash Metal's birth in the early 80s, has returned to Metal Blade Records to release their NEW album, 'Ugly Noise'. The lead single/title track is available for streaming now here (courtesy of Metal Blade Records).


'Ugly Noise' is the band's eleventh full-length album, their first release on Metal Blade since 2001, and the follow up to their 2010 album, 'The Cold'. The record also heralds the return of original members Michael Gilbert on guitar and Kelly David Smith on drums, who haven't recorded with Flotsam and Jetsam since High in 1997.

Flotsam and Jetsam's Kelly Smith comments on working with Metal Blade: "We have just inked a distribution deal for the release of 'Ugly Noise' through Metal Blade Records. 'Ugly Noise' will be released worldwide in late March/Early April of 2013. It was the obvious choice for us after our long-standing relationship and Metal Blades 30 year history of Metal. You can't match what they can do with 30 years of experience behind them. We are excited and looking forward to working with MB in 2013."

Also, tune into Liquid Metal on SiriusXM this week for a Flotsam and Jetsam interview & Liquid Metal Takeover! Kelly Smith, Eric AK and Michael Gilbert stop by the SiriusXM NYC studios to talk to Jose Mangin about their NEW album, 'Ugly Noise', and their current comeback tour with Testament on "The Dark Roots Of Thrash Tour". After the hour interview special, the guys host a Liquid Metal Takeover picking out their go-to Metal songs.

Tune in to listen:
- Thurs, 2/21 @ 5pm ET / 2pm PT
- Sat, 2/23 @ Noon ET / 9am PT
- Sun, 2/24 @ 9pm ET / 6pm PT

As previously reported, "The Dark Roots Of Thrash Tour" was dented this weekend as OVERKILL were forced to cancel their appearance due to the fact that Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth's contracted pneumonia. Full statement HERE!

TESTAMENT, OVERKILL, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, 4ARM (remaining tour dates):

2/20: Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH
2/21: The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
2/22: The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
2/23: First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN
2/25: The Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
2/26: In The Venue – Salt Lake City, UT
2/27: Knitting Factory – Reno, NV
2/28: Ace Of Spades – Sacramento, CA 

Related links:
Official Site of Flotsam And Jetsam

OVERKILL's Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth Unable To Continue Touring With TESTAMENT & FLOTSAM AND JETSAM - Official Statement Available!

As previously reported, "The Dark Roots Of Thrash Tour" was dented this weekend as OVERKILL were unable to perform in Huntington, NY and in Buffalo, NY because their singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth was rushed to the hospital after falling ill with walking pneumonia. Being the warrior that he is, "Blitz" sucked it up and performed at The Palladium in Worcester, MA on Saturday (February 16) were he allegedly was given oxygen between songs.

Unfortunately, "Blitz" pushed himself a bit far and really needs the proper time to recover as pneumonia is a very serious illness. As a result, the band have made the wise decision to pull out from "The Dark Roots Of Thrash Tour". A statement from the collective band, released exclusively to Horns Up Rocks!, follows: 

"Overkill regretfully announce that we can no longer continue on the Testament North American tour. Blitz's condition has gotten slightly worse and he needs some time to get back to 100%. We would like to thank Testament for a great tour and look forward to everyone back on the road soon."

We wish Bobby a speedy recovery!

TESTAMENT, OVERKILL, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, 4ARM (remaining tour dates):
2/18: Phoenix Concert Theatre – Toronto, ON
2/20: Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH
2/21: The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
2/22: The Rave – Milwaukee, WI
2/23: First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN
2/25: The Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
2/26: In The Venue – Salt Lake City, UT
2/27: Knitting Factory – Reno, NV
2/28: Ace Of Spades – Sacramento, CA
* – Denotes FLOTSAM AND JETSAM will not be playing

Photo credit: Zulie Alvarez
Related links:
Overkill's official site