Fat Bastard – Barely Dressed

Promoted by Hard Life Promotion, Barely Dressed is third release from Fat Bastard. It got (self) released in April 2025, as it arrives as the follow-up and come-back, after the album Feel The Pain (2013) and the EP Yunk Yard Fest (2018).

Who are is this band then? Fat Bastard is a four-piece formation from Antwerp (Belgium), featuring four deeply committed, enthusiastic and passionate musicians; Jorn Mazet (vocals); Kurt Pals (drums), Geller Van Reeth (bass) and Jan Sommeryns (guitar). The band was founded back in 2007, and since then performing a high energy rock ‘n’ roll.

Barely Dressed consists of ten fast tracks where the style they’re playing can best be described as a blend of a Motörhead-style dirty rock ‘n’ roll, speed/thrash metal, classic heavy metal, punk and rockabilly. One can say that Barely Dressed continues the path paved on their previous releases. In other words; one can still hear their trademark defining sound filled with relentless energy incl. commanding and almost a whiskey-soaked/alcohol drained vocals, electrifying and ripping guitar riffs, double bass thrashing with some pretty strong bass lines, intense, dynamic and pounding drums, creating this raw and unfiltered sound throughout the 40-minute long ride of Barely Dressed.

My personal highlights include; “Come Out And Play” due to its charming and impressive glam rock vibe, and “We Are The (Over)killers”, with its an unmistakable tribute to Motörhead. Another song worth of your attention is “You Know You Are Gone” due to the catchy chorus and very raw voice of Jorn. Actually, the song was written together with Ira Black (I Am Morbid, Lizzy Borden, Dokken, Bulletboys, Dio Disciples, etc.) who also produced and mastered the record.

The overall mood and atmosphere on Barely Dressed is loud, aggressive, gritty, heavy, and raw – often with a strong punk and traditional rock influence. It is also powerful, chaotic, speedy, energetic and rebellious, capturing band’s unique blend of speed metal, dirty rock ‘n’ roll, thrash, and hard rock with Jorn’s signature vocals and a distinct, often dangerous feel.

Although Motörhead influences are quite obvious, I find Barely Dressed to be a very varied album where the selection of the songs and their placement has been picked wisely. They may lack the charisma of Mr. Lemmy & Motörhead, but they surely produce a high-energy entertainment and enjoyment with the great attitude and rockabilly charm.

In a nutshell; drawing inspirations from old-school rock legends as the likes of Motörhead, Fat Bastard crafts a dynamic and versatile musical style that resonates with a wide range of listeners. For more information on this high-energy/quality four-piece from Antwerp visit https://www.facebook.com/FatBastardRawk