FLOOD is a Thrash Metal band that hails from Los Angeles, California. FLOOD saw its genesis back in 2020 when Guy Ritter & Gary Lenaire joined forces to form the band. If the names Ritter & Lenaire ring a bell, well that's because they have built a strong legacy over-the-years. Ritter & Lenaire first worked together in the band Holy Danger in 1986, then with Echo Hollow in 1998, and ​with Tourniquet on their first 3-albums in the early 1990's. FLOOD's sound can be compared to that of well-known thrashers - Slayer and Tourniquet.

       In 2021 FLOOD released their debut full-length album titled 'Polarized' on Acidify Records. 'Polarized' garnered the band rave reviews from around the world and captured the attention of fans of early-Tourniquet. FLOOD's debut had a crisp modern, present-day feel to it while still capturing that old-school early 90's Tourniquet sound. After the release of 'Polarized,' fans of the band wouldn't have to wait long to hear from Ritter & Lenaire again.
       In 2022 FLOOD showed no signs of stopping or going on hiatus when the band stepped back into the studios to begin recording material for a second album.

       In 2024 Flood released their follow-up full-length studio album titled 'Ripped Into Exile' on ​Acidify Records​.  The album was produced in house by Guy Ritter and Gary Lenaire. The record's mastering was managed by Bill Metoyer of Los Angeles. The album's mixing was handled by Gary Lenaire. Ripped Into Exile's cover-art was done by Bob Arvin who also did the band's cover for their debut album. With this second release, FLOOD offers up 47 minutes of pure Thrash Metal adrenaline that is guaranteed to take the listener down memory lane back to the early days of Tourniquet. This release is sure get the attention of the Metal community with its heavy Thrash attitude, progressive nature, Doom elements, time changes, double bass pedal action, and Ritter's signature vocal style.
​       The band had the following to say about their latest offering: "We are very inspired and have never been so diligent. All I can say is never give up on your gift, your vocation—there are souls in the balance." "There is a zone that Guy Ritter and I get in when writing/recording a record. I can tell you this: the 2nd FLOOD record is PSYCHO!!!". 

       The track-list for 'Ripped Into Exile' includes 1. Ripped Into Exile 2.Autopsied Atheism 3. Burial 4. Dreamt 
5. Darwin's Missing Chimp 6. Others 7. Can't Undo 8. Punk This 9. In An Ancient Time 10. Zero Hour.      

       Frontman-Guy Ritter has a unique vocal style where he mixes things up with several different vocal deliveries. A number of fans have noted how Ritter's vocals draw comparison to that of King Diamond. In an interview at "Heaven's Metal" Guy Ritter stated: A lot of people used to ask me, “Have you heard King Diamond sing?” And seriously I had not ever heard him sing until after 'Stop the Bleeding' came out. So many people said, “Oh come on, you probably listened to a lot of King Diamond.” Finally, I was at Ted’s apartment, and he pulled out a CD, and he said, “OK. You have got to listen to this King Diamond and see what you think.” And I had to agree that “Wow this is kind of similar” (laughing). “But I don’t want to listen to him. He is too dark for me.”

       Gary Lenaire is a well-seasoned guitarist and on this sophomore album he unleashes some sick shreddin' while interjecting plenty of Thrash licks, 80's & 90's style noodling, and Doom elements. It's worth noting that Gary garners some additional support in the strings department by way of guitarist-João Miguel(solo artist).
       Behind the kit for the band is David Husvik(Extol, Absurd²) whose drum work is nothing short of punishing and really stands out in the arrangements from track to track.

Some themes found throughout the album's lyrics include the garden and Adam & Eve,
warnings of time running out, faith, OT prophecy of the coming Messiah,
salvation, showing kindness to others, and the importance of reading the word of God.
The following are some excerpts from the album's lyrics:

"Ripped into Exile"
Oh, leaving this place
In Christ we died and sins erased
Rose into heaven
The blessing is done
Jesus is The Way

Oh, what is this place?
I can't remember without grace
Ripped into exile
The damage is done
Help me find my way


"Burial"
I don’t know where to go
Is this a burial?
Or do I need to trust God’s in control?

The dark of night is falling
The sting of death is calling
Tomorrow, I have no promise
My time today is borrowed


​"Dreamt"
Rise, take the child, hide him there by the Nile
For weeping voices and scorn
Rachel's sons are no more
Out of Egypt I have called my Son
Rise, take the child, deliver him from the Nile
The Nazerine He will be, the dream is reality
The Word became flesh spoken forever
Into the ears of the freed


"Darwin's Missing Chimp"
​Because the tree
There's no monkeys in the tree
There's no monkeys in the tree
There's no monkeys in the tree
In the family tree

The missing chained link fence
will never be climbed
The body of the chimp you're not gonna find
Any more than the dead body of Christ


"Others"
Faith, hope and love is the best of us
But love is the highest by far
The Spirit of God in those next to us
Who cannot be free 'til we are

Feed them
Again and again
'Cause it's Me

Do unto others as you would do to you
In doing so you do to Me
Do unto others as you would do to you
In doing so will set you free


​"Punk This"
Take this word
Think it through
Don't wait another day
There's nothing more important here
Than what He has to say
I know that Christianity appears naïve
But only to the unbeliever
Needing to believe

Hey, we believe that there's another Way
A road revealed and traveled on by faith
Take a chance and turn away from sin
Your death is done now you begin

(See Site Info for Sword Scale meaning)

       FLOOD is for fans of Slayer, Echo Hollow, Tourniquet, and Deliverance. This is one of those albums where the more you listen to it the more it grows on you. Ritter & Lenaire never disappoint so do yourself a favor and pick up your copy of 'Ripped Into Exile' today!

Musicians:
​Guy Ritter(Tourniquet, Echo Hollow) - Lead Vocals
Gary Lenaire(Tourniquet, Echo Hollow) - Guitars, Vocals
João Miguel - Guitars
Anna Sentina - Bass
David Husvik(Extol, Absurd²) - Drums

Guest Musicians:
Bubby Lewis(Snoop Dogg, Lupe Fiasco) - Bass on "Burial"