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Celtic punk band The Rumjacks released the deluxe edition of
their latest album, “Dead Anthems,” on May 30, 2025. The original version, which
contained 12 songs, was released back in
February of 2025. The deluxe edition contains 18 songs, which include bonus
tracks including unreleased demo versions and live acoustic versions of a few
of the songs.
“Dead Anthems” was recorded in Asbury Park, NJ, and
co-produced by The Rumjacks' Mike Rivkees along with The Bouncing Souls founder
Pete Steinkop.
The album opens up strong with “Come Hell or High Water,” which
was the album’s lead single. The song speaks of the immigrant’s story, whether
they are from Ireland or elsewhere. It is a catchy, upbeat song that combines a
punk feel with traditional
“Cold Like This” has the version that was on their original “Dead
Anthems” album, but it also has an acoustic live version of the song. The song
is written in the style of a sea shanty and was inspired by walking home on a
particularly cold day. The acoustic version only sounded different in terms of
instruments. The vocals sounded exactly the same on both versions of the song. In
some cases, the acoustic version
This is true for the song, “Eye for an Eye.” The original
version has a “harder” sound to it, but the acoustic live version is a bit more
toned down and slower. The vocals have a different feel between the two
versions, changing the feel and meaning of the song. It is an impactful song
about bringing people together and being forgiving.
Overall, the messages behind the songs of the album are
impactful, especially with everything going on in the world. There are songs
that honor the immigrants of the past, reminding us that we would not be here
without immigrants. The songs also remind us to be forgiving and to be slow to
retaliate when we are hurt, as this will hurt us all. In a world that is so
divisive and broken, this message of peace and unity is very needed. This album
is a needed reminder to us all to live with love and unity in a world that is
trying to break us apart.
The Rumjacks “Dead Anthems” lineup:
-Mike Rivkees: vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, tin
whistle, irish flute, banjo
-Johnny McKelvey: bass, backing vocals
-Adam Kenny: mandolin, bouzouki, backing vocals
-Gabriel Whitbourne: electric guitar, backing vocals
-Pietro Della Sala: drums
-Kyle Goyette: accordion, backing vocals
Track List:
- Come
Hell Or High Water
- They
Kick You When You’re Down
- Smash
Them Bottles
- Cold
Like This
- An
Irish Goodbye On St. Valentine’s Day
- October
- Father’s
Fight
- Scandal
- Road
Rash
- An Eye
For An Eye
- Pulled
From The Shore
- Some
Legends Never Die
- Cold
Like This (Live Acoustic)
- Eye For
An Eye (Live Acoustic)
- October
(Live Acoustic)
- Scandal
(Demo)
- Some
Legends Never Die (Demo)
- They Kick You when You’re Down (Live Acoustic)
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