A tribute album is always going to be a hit-and-miss affair, particularly when it involves several artists tackling the extensive career of another artist or band.

It’s when we get into the specifics – one band, one album – that the fence-sitters clear out and you’re either completely on board or throwing yourself over.

We’ve arrived at Primus’ eighth studio album, which sees them (and some friends) recreate the soundtrack to the 1971 classic Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. Because… reasons? Who knows. Putting your name to anything involving a recreation of Wonka is already risky territory (Hi, Johnny Depp!), and yet there’s a point where it all starts to click. What other band can truly bring out the dark, borderline psychotic aspect of Wonka’s Stockholm syndrome? Who else can make the already terrifying ‘Wondrous Boat Ride’ even scarier? Who can properly justify warping the foundations of what’s widely regarded to be one of the greatest soundtracks of all time? The answer, of course, is not the Candy Man. Primus are the answer to the questions you didn’t even realise you should be asking.

Oompa loompa doompety doo. If you like Wonka weirdness, then this is for you.

3.5/5.

Primus And The Chocolate Factory With The Fungi Ensembleis out now through ATO/Prawn Song.

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