Irish Moutarde is another band that was scheduled to be included in the spring issue of the magazine. While that didn’t quite work out the way I’d hoped, in the end it’s probably better to feature this Celtic punk band (from Quebec) on St. Patrick’s Day.

This album kicks off with “The Black Mill,” a gem of Celtic punk. It’s a great opening track because it is upbeat and loud, and grabs the attention. While it has bagpipes and banjo as is typical with Celtic punk, the most noticeable thing about this song is the guitar that kind of straddles the line between metal and punk. To be honest, I can say that about the guitar throughout the album. If anything, the guitar leans more toward metal. “The Cabin” is another great example.

That is followed by a song that rings true for anyone who has ever tied on one and felt the awful effects the next day. It’s called “Farewell to Drunkenness,” and it includes the lyrics that so many have vowed: “Never will I drink anymore.” Of course, that vow is often a short-lived one, and the band recognizes that it’s pretty easy to end up at the pub the night after you vow to never drink again.

This album is everything you could want in a St. Patrick’s Day album. It is upbeat and loud. Overall, the energy throughout this album reminds me a lot of another Canadian Celtic punk band: The Mahones. More than that, this album is the perfect accompaniment for an Irish stout or six, or a few shots of Irish whiskey. And hey, if you find yourself indulging in some beverages while you listen to that, just make sure you have someone to drive you.