Editing Flotsam and Jetsam (band) (section)

=== 1996–2001: Return to Metal Blade ===
After taking a break in most of 1996 and resigning from MCA to [[Metal Blade Records|Metal Blade]], Flotsam and Jetsam resurfaced in 1997 with their sixth album ''[[High (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|High]]''.<ref name="LarkinHR" /> The album's song titles were designed with the font types/logos of famous bands like [[Iron Maiden]], [[Metallica]], [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], [[Van Halen]], [[AC/DC]], [[Judas Priest]], [[Misfits (band)|Misfits]], etc. to pay homage to those whom came before and inspired the band while it was coming up the ranks. The music was more experimental than before, and the album also featured the [[Lard (band)|Lard]] cover song ''Fork Boy''. Music video was released, ''Monster'' to follow-up.

Michael Gilbert and Kelly Smith left the band after the release and were replaced by guitarist Mark Simpson and drummer Craig Nielsen (at the suggestion of then-[[Megadeth]] drummer [[Nick Menza]]). With the new line-up Flotsam and Jetsam toured in Europe together with [[Anvil (band)|Anvil]] and [[Exciter (band)|Exciter]].

''[[Unnatural Selection (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|Unnatural Selection]]'' was released in 1999 and Mark Simpson took a short break. He joined the band again in 2000 to record a new album, ''[[My God (album)|My God]]'' released in May 2001. At that time Eric A.K. had founded a country band, the A.K. Corral. He left the band for a short time to take a break from Metal and pursue his side project. (AK) "I had given Metal my life for a solid 15 years, I took some time to explore other musical flavors". Though Flotsam and Jetsam did not disband, there was a long break at that time. They found a new singer, [[James Rivera]], who took over vocal duties live. Later the band felt that no one other than Eric A.K. could be their singer and Rivera left the band soon after.