FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's Eric Knutson on the Perils and Promises of A.I. in Metal

In an electrifying interview with Tomasz Michalski for Poland's MetalSide, Eric "A.K." Knutson, the indomitable voice behind FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, delves into the murky waters of artificial intelligence in music creation. As A.I. algorithms and machine learning models continue to infiltrate the crafting of melodies and harmonies, Knutson asserts that metalheads must either adapt or perish. "You can either fight A.I. or you can learn how to use it," he declared, underscoring the inevitability of this technological revolution. "A.I. is not going away, so best to embrace it while ensuring it doesn't strip away our creativity."

Knutson elaborated on the band's recent foray into A.I.-enhanced visuals for their music videos, revealing that these digital contributions were merely extensions of pre-existing ideas. "The A.I. spots we used were concepts we already had, so we thought, why not throw them into the mix and see what happens?" This experimentation, while cautious, reflects the band’s quest to innovate without compromising the soul of their art.

However, the frontman isn't without reservations about the broader implications of A.I. in music composition. He warns that bands relying heavily on machine-generated material might find themselves in a precarious position. "If you're crafting songs with A.I. without understanding the fundamentals of song structure, you could be in for a rude awakening when it's time to perform live," he cautioned. With A.I.'s rapid advancement, he predicts a future where holograms could potentially replace live musicians, pushing artists out of work.

Knutson acknowledges the allure of A.I. as a tool, noting, "I've heard some A.I. songs that were written incredibly well. It can amalgamate the best talents into one piece. But the danger lies in trying to replicate that magic without the understanding of what makes it work. You have to be selective about how you use it." For FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, the decision was made to keep A.I. out of their recordings, only dabbling with it for promotional visuals.

The upcoming album, "Rats In The Temple", set to drop on August 28, 2026 via Napalm Records, marks a significant milestone for the band—40 years since their groundbreaking debut, "Doomsday For The Deceiver". As the lineup boasts some of the most talented musicians in the genre, including the phenomenal guitar duo of Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley, alongside the rhythmic prowess of drummer Ken Mary and the fresh energy of bassist Bill Bodily, fans can expect a release that not only celebrates their legacy but also pushes the boundaries of modern metal.