Tremendously successful in R&B but not in metal or hard rock, MCA set out to change that in the late 1980s and early '90s by signing an abundance of headbangers -- many of whom were painfully generic and devoid of originality. Very few thrash units were signed, but MCA did have the good taste to record this impressive {|Flotsam & Jetsam|} date. Like the band's previous releases on {|Metal Blade|}, {|When the Storm Comes Down|} is one of thrash's more accessible offerings. Though {|Flotsam|} can be blistering, gothic-themed songs like {|"Suffer the Masses,"|} {|"Burned Device,"|} and {|"October Thorns"|} tended to appeal to the type of metalheads who appreciate {|Metallica|}, {|Anthrax|}, and {|Megadeth|} (as well as {|Iron Maiden|} and {|Judas Priest|}), but don't care for grindcore and find {|Hellwitch|}, {|Cannibal Corpse|}, {|Deicide|}, and other underground units too extreme. Highly recommended. ~ Alex Henderson