Unnatural Selection
Flotsam and Jetsam · 1999
45 min · 10 tracks · thrash metal
A relentless fusion of aggressive riffs and intricate melodies that epitomizes the essence of late '90s thrash metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Chemical Noose — This track stands out for its dynamic shifts between aggressive verses and melodic choruses, showcasing the band's ability to blend brutality with melody effectively.
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F**kers — The song's raw energy and confrontational lyrics exemplify the band's punk influences while remaining firmly rooted in thrash metal's aggressive style.
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Welcome to the Bottom — The closing track encapsulates the album's themes of despair and resilience, with complex instrumentation that highlights the band's technical prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive riffs with melodic intricacies typical of late '90s thrash metal, making it a solid entry in the genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast tempo, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down in the latter tracks.
- Riffs are often layered with intricate melodies, creating a dense sound that showcases both aggression and technicality.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes, shifting from rapid-fire sections to slower, more melodic passages, enhancing the dynamic range.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- aggressive riffs with intricate melodies
- pulsating energy for workout sessions
- explosive moments of cathartic release
- intense emotional expression throughout
- dynamic shifts in pacing
Maybe skip if you
- prefer calm, soothing sounds
- want simplistic, straightforward tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1999, Unnatural Selection marked Flotsam and Jetsam's fifth studio album, coming two years after their previous release, High. At this point, the band was solidifying their presence within the thrash metal scene while facing lineup changes that influenced their sound. This album showcased their maturity as musicians and their ability to adapt within a competitive genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Annihilator· Overkill· Testament
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Promise Keepers
The narrative shifts from personal struggle to a broader commentary on societal expectations and failures.
By expanding the focus from individual experience to collective issues, this moment deepens the song’s emotional impact and invites listeners to reflect on shared struggles.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Dream Scrape 4:10
- 2 Chemical Noose 4:12
- 3 Promise Keepers 4:33
- 4 Liquid Noose 3:59
- 5 Falling 3:39
- 6 F**kers 5:59
- 7 Brain Dead 4:32
- 8 Way to Go 4:26
- 9 Win, Lose or Dead 4:27
- 10 Welcome to the Bottom 5:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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