Triggerwarning: Child Abuse

Damn you, you gorgeous girl.

We could have had the world at our feet.

I’ll find you if it’s the last thing I do…..

Well that does sound like your average dark romance bad boy guy living in some fantasy world. But nonetheless these are lyrics from the brand new album ´´Barely Dressed´´ by Belgium rockband Fat Bastard released on the 25^th of April 2025.

Starting the album with a lovely instrumental intro with a catchy melody which returns constantly. We have a little love song called ´´Never Told Me Her Name´´. Halfway through the song we hear a trumpet in the bridge which gives a little Ska influence from bands as Bazzookas and La Pegatina. The song ends with a little treat which can come straight out of a romantsy book. Funny little fact. The song wasn’t meant to be a love song, but more a political song called ´´Hole in the Wall´´ about the wall between the US and Mexico. Originally written during Trump his first period of being a president. During preproducing the albumrecords in 2023 Trump was gone and so they changed the lyrics. Funny how things work out in the end. I wonder if we will get a new version of ´´Hole in the Wall´´ in the future. 

Now on to one of my favorite song of the album, which is co-written by Ira Black, who produced and mastered the album as well. ´´You Know You Are Gone´´, grabbed me from the first moment I heard it. Starting with a intro which will make Motörhead jealous. Jorn Mazet let his raw voice scream through your speakers. The chorus is catchy, which is weird to say since it’s about death. But after one listening session I bet you find yourself singing out loud with it.

Having a guitar intro played by Jan Someryns, we have a hommage to a dear friend of the band. Jan Daneels, also know as Hammerguy who passed away in 2022. ”Hammer” goes full speed and is a easy to catch song. Which will be amazing for a live crowd. What better hommage to the main guy of Frietrock, then a crowd mosh pitting, singing and making fun during a performance.

Another amazing pit proof song is ”Piece of Shit”. It shows what the band is made of and that they definetly know how to party. They describe their sound as a mix of Motörhead and Peter Pan Speedrock. Let’s say”Piece of Shit” is the love baby of this two bands.

Many musicians probably know what it feels like to spend hours, maybe even days to write a song. But every once in a while you will write one in 15 minutes. ”Come out and Play” is that song. It has good guitar riffs thanks to Someryns and Gellert Van Reeth, some amazing drumwork by Kurt Pals and Mazet screams with his raw voice. Sometimes keeping it simple and plain is all you need.

The final track of the album is one that definetly deserves attention and credits. ”Kill My Soul” is a bit ”slower” than the rest of the album. Especially during the verses and the chorus. Because the message needs the attention. It’s the most personal song ever written by the band. You hear the anger through the lyrics and the melody. The chorus is one of giving hope. For people who suffered from child abuse aswell, remember that no one has the power to kill your soul.

Overall I think the album shows a different side to the band, by adding some different influences and some personal touches to this album. It feels the whole band is ”Barely Dressed” at this point and keeps renewing themselves while not losing their identity. I think they will be a huge showpony during a live performance and this will definelty be a band I want to see performing on a festival this summer.

Rating: 7/10

Release Date: 25^th April 2025

Label: self-released

Writer: Milou

Tracklist:

1. Never Told Me Her Name
2. You Know You Are Gone
3. Hammer
4. Going Crazy
5. Piece of Shit
6. Come out and Play
7. Tiger Queen
8. We Are The (Over)Killers
9. Mister Rock
10. Kill MY Soul