Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Flotsam and Jetsam entered a new era with Blood in the Water and it began with another bass player leaving the band.
In this episode of the Flotsam and Jetsam album-by-album series, I look at the departure of Michael Spencer and the arrival of Bill Bodily, whose technical ability helped complete what Michael Gilbert has described as one of the strongest lineups in the band’s history.
But Blood in the Water was more than just a lineup change. Written and recorded during the upheaval of 2020, the album became a cathartic release of frustration, anger, loss, and the inability to do what Flotsam and Jetsam do best: tour and perform.
I cover the writing and recording process, the pandemic’s influence on the album’s aggressive sound, and key tracks including “Blood in the Water,” “Burn the Sky,” “Brace for Impact,” “The Walls,” “Cry for the Dead,” “Reaggression,” and the progressive album closer “Seven Seconds ’Til the End of the World.”
I also look at the album’s critical and commercial performance, its European chart success, the touring cycle, and why Michael Gilbert considers Blood in the Water his favorite Flotsam and Jetsam album.
Was this the moment Flotsam and Jetsam truly entered one of the strongest periods of their entire career?
And next time, the story continues with I Am the Weapon from 2024 the final chapter before the upcoming Rats in the Temple.
If you enjoy rock and metal album histories, retrospectives, reviews, and deep dives, make sure to subscribe to J.C. Rock and Metal Reviews.
What do you think of Blood in the Water? Is it one of the best albums of Flotsam and Jetsam’s modern era? Let me know in the comments!
#FlotsamAndJetsam #BloodInTheWater #BillBodily #ThrashMetal #HeavyMetal #MetalHistory #AlbumReview #MetalReview #JCrockandmetalreviews
Hey everyone! I just released my new e-book called How to Start a YouTube Channel for Introverts. It’s a quick and easy 42-page read where I share the full story behind my channel, JC Rock and Metal Reviews—how I got started, the struggles I faced, and the lessons I learned along the way.
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Please consider becoming a member of this channel. The first tier is 0.99 and this gives you early access to my videos as I always post them as members first before going public. Sometimes I post up to a week in advance. The second tier is 2.99 and this one gives you early access plus the benefit of making video requests. You can request album reviews or any other video provided it is within the scope of this channel’s content.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCRPx4Iygm4SnMn4D7Getgtg/join
If you want to help support the channel. I have merch, including t-shirts, coffee mugs and stickers.
Check out the new Merch Store:
jc-rock-and-metal-reviews-shop.fourthwall.com/?source=dashboard
FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/JCrockandmetalreviews
TikTok:
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CONTACT INFORMATION
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**FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
Flotsam and Jetsam entered a new era with Blood in the Water and it began with another bass player leaving the band.
In this episode of the Flotsam and Jetsam album-by-album series, I look at the departure of Michael Spencer and the arrival of Bill Bodily, whose technical ability helped complete what Michael Gilbert has described as one of the strongest lineups in the band’s history.
But Blood in the Water was more than just a lineup change. Written and recorded during the upheaval of 2020, the album became a cathartic release of frustration, anger, loss, and the inability to do what Flotsam and Jetsam do best: tour and perform.
I cover the writing and recording process, the pandemic’s influence on the album’s aggressive sound, and key tracks including “Blood in the Water,” “Burn the Sky,” “Brace for Impact,” “The Walls,” “Cry for the Dead,” “Reaggression,” and the progressive album closer “Seven Seconds ’Til the End of the World.”
I also look at the album’s critical and commercial performance, its European chart success, the touring cycle, and why Michael Gilbert considers Blood in the Water his favorite Flotsam and Jetsam album.
Was this the moment Flotsam and Jetsam truly entered one of the strongest periods of their entire career?
And next time, the story continues with I Am the Weapon from 2024 the final chapter before the upcoming Rats in the Temple.
If you enjoy rock and metal album histories, retrospectives, reviews, and deep dives, make sure to subscribe to J.C. Rock and Metal Reviews.
What do you think of Blood in the Water? Is it one of the best albums of Flotsam and Jetsam’s modern era? Let me know in the comments!
#FlotsamAndJetsam #BloodInTheWater #BillBodily #ThrashMetal #HeavyMetal #MetalHistory #AlbumReview #MetalReview #JCrockandmetalreviews
Hey everyone! I just released my new e-book called How to Start a YouTube Channel for Introverts. It’s a quick and easy 42-page read where I share the full story behind my channel, JC Rock and Metal Reviews—how I got started, the struggles I faced, and the lessons I learned along the way.
jc-rock-and-metal-reviews-shop.fourthwall.com/products/how-to-start-a-youtube-channel-as-an-introvert-e-book
Please consider becoming a member of this channel. The first tier is 0.99 and this gives you early access to my videos as I always post them as members first before going public. Sometimes I post up to a week in advance. The second tier is 2.99 and this one gives you early access plus the benefit of making video requests. You can request album reviews or any other video provided it is within the scope of this channel’s content.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCRPx4Iygm4SnMn4D7Getgtg/join
If you want to help support the channel. I have merch, including t-shirts, coffee mugs and stickers.
Check out the new Merch Store:
jc-rock-and-metal-reviews-shop.fourthwall.com/?source=dashboard
FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/JCrockandmetalreviews
TikTok:
vm.tiktok.com/ZMNNq83XD
CONTACT INFORMATION
jpc522@yahoo.com
**FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
