Rating: 9/10
Release: 23 February 2018
Label: Apathia Records

The Romanian crossover folkcore metal band Dirty Shirt has played some concerts with the Romanian traditional folk orchestra Ansamblul Transilvania. Of course when you do special things like this, you record them. And with this they created a very special 5th album ‘FolkCore DeTour’.
There are very nice examples of bands which are exploring new paths combining folk with modern music. Niburta and Folcore perfect examples of band which have the guts to try to explore new paths, but where these band are mainly combining the folk with core, Dirty Shirt’s approach is a bit different.
When you first listen to them they seem all over the place. Well I have news for you, it’s meant this way, and that’s absolutely fine. The folk and the modern metal are there, but there are lots of punk influences as well.
And it’s only a logical step to take it all a step further and perform live on stage with a traditional folk orchestra. And yes, the result is an album which is even more all over the place, but Dirty Shirt, obviously had a very clear vision and they brought it home. The result is an album which takes you along on a bumpy ride through several music styles. A very directed bumpy ride that is. Imagine going down a bobsleigh track with a very experienced driver, who doesn’t bring the sled down in a smooth way. Oh, no, sometimes he’s going smooth and let’s you settle a bit, and suddenly he hits the wall on purpose and you before you realize what’s happening you’re smacked against the opposite wall and then the ride goes on more smoothly.
Just when you think you know what’s their music about, you roughly taken out of your comfort-zone and thrown into something completely different.

A gorgeous little gem this is, but not a smooth polished one, no it’s a gem with rough edges. If you don’t pay attention, you will cut yourself. Dirty Shirt has proven Folk is not Dead, Metal is not Dead, and Punk is not Dead. And the good news is, there will be a DVD of this album as well.
So, jump on board and enjoy this bumpy ride!

Tracklist

1. Rapsodia Romana
2. Ciocarlia
3. Moneyocracy
4. Dulce-i Vinu’
5. Cobzar
6. Ride
7. Freak Show
8. UB
9. Balada
10. Manifest
11. Rocks Off
12. My Art
13. Dirtylicious
14. Hungarian Dance No.5
15. Mental Csardas
16. Hotii
17. Maramu’
18. Calusarii
19. Saraca Inima Me
20. Bad Apples