Thrash metal veterans FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have unleashed “The Edge of Nowhere,” the third and final single from their forthcoming album, Rats in the Temple, arriving August 28 via Napalm Records.
Opening with Eastern-flavored scales that steadily build tension, “The Edge of Nowhere” quickly erupts into a full-throttle display of the band’s signature thrash metal attack. The track arrives alongside an official lyric video and offers one final preview of Rats in the Temple ahead of its release this Friday.
Frontman Eric “A.K.” Knutson explains that the song centers on standing firm in the face of adversity.
“‘The Edge of Nowhere’ is about knowing when to dig your heels into the ground and hold the line,” says Knutson. “We wanted to write a track that made people feel strong when things get tough. Always speak your mind. Even if 9 times out of 10, it takes you nowhere. You never know when you’ll get that one time that pushes you through.”
Set for release August 28, Rats in the Temple marks FLOTSAM AND JETSAM’s debut for Napalm Records and the latest chapter in a career approaching four decades.
From landmark albums Doomsday for the Deceiver (1986), No Place for Disgrace (1988) and Cuatro (1992) to their recent resurgence with The End of Chaos (2019), Blood in the Water (2021) and I Am the Weapon (2024), the Arizona thrashers have continued refining their combination of relentless thrash, melodic power metal and Knutson’s unmistakable vocals.
“This record is a BEAST, truly our best effort to date!!” says Knutson. “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!!!”
Rats in the Temple kicks off with “Harvesting the Hate” and “Damnation” before diving into the thrash assault of “Absolution.” Guitarists Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley take the spotlight throughout tracks including “Blame the Knife,” “Rats in the Temple,” “The Ghost Behind My Door” and “First on the Spike.”
“The Edge of Nowhere” leads into “Last Rites,” while drummer Ken Mary and bassist William Bodily drive the anti-war anthem “A Taste for War.” The 13-track record continues through “Her Blood Your Pain,” “Anthem for the Broken” and closing track “Not Going Down That Way.”
Rats in the Temple Track Listing
- “Harvesting the Hate”
- “Damnation”
- “Absolution”
- “Blame the Knife”
- “Rats in the Temple”
- “The Ghost Behind My Door”
- “First on the Spike”
- “The Edge of Nowhere”
- “Last Rites”
- “A Taste for War”
- “Her Blood Your Pain”
- “Anthem for the Broken”
- “Not Going Down That Way”
Rats in the Temple will be available digitally, on CD and across several 2-LP vinyl editions, including White Label, Splatter, Solid Red and standard Black variants.
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM lineup
Eric “A.K.” Knutson — Vocals
Michael Gilbert — Guitars
Steve Conley — Guitars
William Bodily — Bass
Ken Mary — Drums