Way back in the summer of 2025, I was stood on the Pier Head waiting for The Wolfe Tones to take the stage. However, a band I hadn’t listened to before was first up and it left a lasting impression as they combined a rock and roll attitude with traditional Irish folk, which had me gagging for more.
From the ashes of a South Dublin heavy metal band, The Scratch emerged from the aftermath. A four-piece consisting of Daniel Lang (Vocals/Percussion), Cathal McKenna (bass/backing vocals), Gary Regan (guitar/backing vocals), and Conor Dockery (guitar/backing vocals). Busking around Ireland allowed them to gain live experience and expand their listening reach. They’ve already used their unique style, which sets them out from the rest, to cast themselves to the top of the Irish vinyl charts and to critical acclaim.
Can The Scratch use their distinctive sound to push them to even greater peaks?
Opening like a Guitar Hero game, ‘Pull like a Dog’ ties everything together that they’re known for. Military precision percussion and a riff that tries to break through the barracks. Vocals that have clearly been a force in the heavy metal world grace the tune.
Dictating vocals uses the riff as a whip throughout ‘Pullin Teeth’. The breakdown in the middle shows a softer side to the band with perfect harmonies, before they seem embarrassed and embrace their inner Slayer and thrash until the end.
The filth from the dive bar drips out of ‘Gladrags’. Grimy guitars and vocals that spit venom similar to Serj Tankian or Chad Kroeger on ‘Animals’. The percussion slides through often unnoticed but is the necessary glue.
An ominous note establishes ‘Cracks’ underlying throughout. Melancholy vocals that create a sense of impending doom that the chanting reciprocates. Heavy, repetitive playing slowly takes over acting as the adhesive of what were used to.
Percussion that could wake a grandad after a heavy session, ‘Mother of God’ drenches the bones in dread. Vocals that offer guidance through the storm the riff makes creating little hope in the environment.
‘Spacer’ has a slower build compared to the rest offering familiarity to music currently being realised but, with their own spin on it. Acoustic guitar acts as the foundation with the vocals being subdued. Distant yet ever present. This aligns with the ‘Grunge revival’ that seems to of taking shape.
Sitting down the local and the characters you meet is perfectly captured by ‘Roses and Poses’. Arena filling riff echoes throughout whilst the vocals tell you how shite life is and how everyone is there to annoy you. Distant chatting is present, but you can only make out a few words.
Knuckling down with the traditionalism, ‘I Hope All Is Forgiven’ could have been written in the 17th century or the 21st century. Lang’s vocals transmit charm and quality that power often overshadows. The choir of voices show unity as the harmonies shine through. The wavering effect acts as time is slowly going along.
‘Horsefly’ offers guitar work that slides between Country and Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Big Love’. Capturing a chase in a 90s blockbuster without relying on Bruce Willis pelting you in the face. Traditional elements outweigh the heavy side.
Watching as the ship goes down, ‘Ringsend’ allows the band to shed their heaviness and offer a traditional ballad similar to a Lankum tune. Lang’s vocals again show the rough and heaviness isn’t all he’s good at. The combination of male and female voices creates a tranquil atmosphere that brings the album to a perfect resolution.
‘Pull like a Dog’ offered everything I wanted and more. The drastic change from heaviness in ‘Cracks’ to the serene in ‘Ringsend’ shows there is nothing The Scratch can’t do. Traditional folk and heavy metal are something that I wouldn’t think would remotely work but, the band are able to do it with ease. Lang is a chameleon vocally offering whatever the song needs and never appears to struggle. Guitars create different atmosphere and never get close to replication. An album that doesn’t have a set space in a record shop.
The Scratch: Pull Like A Dog – Out 13 March 2026 (Music For Nations / Sony International)
Scratch – Gladrags (Official Video)
