Press release –
Romanian folkcore metal innovators Dirty Shirt proudly announce the release of their new album “Dirty Thirty (The Best Of),” arriving June 26th, 2026, on digital platforms, limited double‑CD digipak, and vinyl. The career‑spanning collection celebrates more than 30 years of one of Eastern Europe’s most distinctive and genre‑defying metal bands.
Featuring 30 tracks that chart Dirty Shirt’s evolution from their earliest recordings to their most recent material, and two new singles, “FOMO” and “Büntető” from the band’s upcoming studio album.
The anthology draws from every era of the band’s discography, including:
Very Dirty (2000) – 1 track (newly re‑recorded version from Pandemic Special)
Same Shirt Different Day (2010) – 2 tracks
Freak Show (2013) – 4 tracks + orchestral “Away”
Dirtylicious (2015) – 7 tracks
Letchology (2019) – 7 tracks
Get Your Dose Now & Pandemic Special (2022) – 7 tracks
Several early‑era songs have been newly remastered by longtime sound engineer Adrian “Bila” Urițescu. At the same time, the album’s artwork, created by internationally acclaimed artist Costin Chioreanu, continues a creative partnership now spanning more than 13 years. The project was partially funded through a successful 2025 crowdfunding campaign and features contributions from over 40 musicians.
Keyboardist/guitarist Mihai Tivadar reflects on the milestone:
“Dirty Shirt became much more than a band. It became a family… This album is a celebration of everyone who has been part of these thirty years.”
Alongside the new album announcement, Dirty Shirt has released their full live performance from Rockstadt Extreme Fest 2025, one of the most important concerts in the band’s history.
This marked the band’s third appearance at Romania’s premier metal festival, and their first time as co‑headliners, performing on a main stage during a prime‑time slot before 10,000+ fans. The closing‑night lineup also featured Static‑X and Sepultura, with a standout moment occurring when drummer Sergio Ponti joined Sepultura on stage for a special performance of “Kaiowas.”
The 2025 edition was especially emotional, serving as the final Rockstadt Extreme Fest held in Râșnov, the festival’s home for more than a decade. Dirty Shirt’s full set captures both a defining moment in their career and the atmosphere of a festival that has become a landmark of the European metal scene.
Dirty Shirt will also be back on the road for the summer season and a series of fantastic open-air festivals in Romania, Germany and Slovakia (dates listed below).
About Dirty Shirt:
For over 30 years, Dirty Shirt has stood as one of Eastern Europe’s most original and successful rock/metal acts. Formed in the mid‑90s as a wedding band, they evolved into a genre‑blending powerhouse, fusing modern heavy music with the vibrant energy of Eastern European traditional sounds. Their explosive live shows and innovative approach have taken them to major festivals across Europe, including Hellfest, Wacken Open Air, Pol’and’Rock, Electric Castle, and more—and earned praise from outlets such as Metal Hammer, Rock Hard, Metalsucks, and Hard Rock Mag. Dirty Shirt has performed over 1000 shows in 17 countries and shared stages with Megadeth, Godsmack, Gogol Bordello, Skindred, and Orphaned Land.
