Irish spirit in abundance at Rescue Rooms as folk-metal The Scratch celebrate in style.

Photos: Andrew McClymont

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It can be argued that The Scratch are something of an anomaly. Blending both Irish traditional folk music and high-octane heavy metal, the four-piece from Dublin pour their hearts and soul forging art that’s quite frankly, extremely undocumented.

Following on from the departure of guitarist Jordan O’Leary (who went on to tour with The Pogues), the band outgrew their former and refined a slicker sound of acoustic/electronic, folk/metal that soon turned out to be their third album, Pull Like a Dog. As a band, it certainly feels like a new beginning.

This new beginning has to start somewhere, and where better than on the road?

Their UK leg of the tour first saw them in SWG3, before hitting Manchester, Bristol, temping up the flares and empowering community from city to city. Then, it was our turn – the full force of the Irish were coming to town.

At the venue, the tension was palpable. There felt a distinguishable sense in the air that we were in for in something special tonight. And that wasn’t just the Guinness talking, that was a mutual understanding from every metalhead to folk enthusiast in that 450-capacity room.

Excited for more? Read the full review here >> https://leftlion.co.uk/features/2026/05/gig-review-the-scratch-at-rescue-rooms-nottingham/