Rating: 8.7/10
Release: 15 March 2019
Label: Independent / Bandcamp

13Krauss is a Celtic Folk punk band hailing from Zaragoza Spain. I have a soft spot in my heart for the pairing of Celtic and Spanish rhythms and melodies. Something about it makes my blood hot and gets my foot tapping. “Redencion” is a really sweet disc. It is filled with great banjo and violin Harmony and lyrics in English and Spanish. The band maintains its Spanish identity but manages to get the feel of an Irish punk band just right. The Singer has a wonderful timbre in his voice that goes down like smooth whisky and the banjo, violin, drums and guitars are well done and mixed masterfully.

  The album gets off to a great start with “Dark Times”. Guitars and drums and then that banjo comes in and drives the song. Great lyrics as well.  Then on to “Verte Perder”, a great collaboration track featuring Pimen Tonazo of Milenrama, excellent energy and melody. “Maggie Dickson” is dark, loud and filled with Spanish attitude, a real showcase of the talent of this band. Tracks like “Anos Perdidios” and “Mary Tempestad” keep the party going and showcase the Spanish folk side of the band. “El Sendero” sounds like,(I swear), Great Big Sea if they were a Spanish band and “Love at first Gig “ just crushes the punk love song sound.  While it seems like everyone is covering Star of the County Down this year this version is one of my favorites. the album closes strong with a pair of great songs in “Voces Quebradas” and “Mil Pedazos” and then finally with the banjo and violin driven “Sinners and Liars”.

This band seems like they would be great live so if you can get out and see them I highly recommend it. Sometimes this job is just great because I get to hear great music that I would never even know existed if it wasn’t for Folk- metal .nl. I’ve had quite a few reviews of Celtic punk music this March and April and they have all been really good so it seems like this year may be an exceptional one for music of all types. Get out and see your local bands and keep those lighters up!

Tracklist

1. Dark Times 03:03
2. Verte Perder (con Pimen – Milenrama) 04:04
3. Maggie Dickson 04:01
4. Años Perdidos 03:45
5. Love at First Gig 02:32
6. Mary Tempestad 04:14
7. Star of the County Down 03:32
8. El Sendero 03:59
9. Voces Quebradas 03:18
10. Mil Pedazos 04:10
11. Sinners & Liars 03:00