September 8, 2026

Flotsam and Jetsam at The Rock, Tucson

 (by Shay Smith)

On August 28, Arizona’s own thrash metal veterans Flotsam and Jetsam unleashed their 16th studio album, Rats In The Temple. The record has been pulling in critical acclaim worldwide, and front man Erik "A.K." Knutson didn't mince words about what they've put together: "This record is a BEAST, truly our best effort to date!! Do yourself a favor. Dim the lights, grab a drink, put the headphones on, and crank this up. You will not be sorry you did!!!"

He’s spot on. Rats In The Temple is front-to-back heavy, showing off a band that is still firing on all cylinders decades into their career. But dropping a monster album is only half the battle; the next step is taking those tracks on the road.

On September 4, the band kicked off a three-date run of intimate warm-up shows starting at The Rock in Tucson, with local support from Sleeping With the Witch and Tormenta. There is a raw, unmistakable grit to shows at The Rock. The tight layout strips away the buffer between the stage and the floor, creating an intense feedback loop of energy where the crowd and band feed off each other.

Even with this serving as an informal tune-up before heading overseas, Flotsam and Jetsam were completely locked in. A.K.’s vocals cut through with power, the guitar work was crisp, and the performance felt as tight as a headline festival set.

Tucson was just step one. The band followed up the next night at The Nile Theater in Mesa before taking the stage at the iconic Rainbow Bar and Grill in West Hollywood. Arizona appearances are a rare treat these days, making these homecoming dates a special privilege for local fans before the band jumps across oceans.

Flotsam and Jetsam hit Australia from September 30 to October 3 alongside Mortal Sin, followed by an extensive European tour from November 24 through December 13. If these warm-up gigs were any indication, fans worldwide are in for an absolute masterclass in thrash, and stateside fans can likely look forward to a full US tour announcement in 2027.

Photo Coverage:

Flotsam and Jetsam

Sleeping With The Witch

Tormenta