Review MR. IRISH BASTARD ‘Battle Songs of the Damned’

The mixture of Irish roots and punk music is nothing new, and here is a band from Germany that puts together what belongs together. Mr. Irish Bastard is a group from Münster, Germany that was founded in 2006. Their first release, an EP called “St. Mary’s School of Drinking”, was launched in 2008 and along with several longplayers, the band created their momentum with live shows. Not sticking to their home country, Mr. Irish Bastard played shows all over Europe and even Japan was on the list.

With ‘Battle Songs of the Damned’ the next studio album is in the pipeline. Lyrically the album deals with Irish life in the USA, wrapped in humorous and passionate lyrics. ‘New York’s Irish Navy’ and ‘The Parting Glass’ are two exemplarily songs that represent the lyrical approach of Mr. Irish Bastard really well.

The two songs also give a great idea about the musical approach. While ‘New York’s Irish Navy’ is a snappy anthem with a sing-along chorus, ‘The Parting Glass’ is the acoustic folk highlight of the album. The latter is a soulful moment on ‘Battle Songs of the Damned’ and fits well into the flow of the album. Mr. Irish Bastard is at its best though when the guys are creating a party atmosphere with songs like the opener ‘All My Friends are Idiots’ and the hilarious story told in ‘Boston Wedding’.

‘Battle Songs of the Damned’ is fun and provides a good time. It’s impossible to sit/stand still while listening to these barnstorming energizers. Melodic, powerful and authentic, that’s ‘Battle Songs of the Damned’ and that’s what Mr. Irish Bastard stands for.