The first track on Clutch’s new album, Psychic Warfare, is a short spoken-word introduction called “The Affidavit.” Affidavits are used to establish probable cause, so I can’t help but wonder if Clutch (Neil Fallon – lead vocals, Tim Sult – guitar, Dan Maines – bass, and Jean-Paul Gaster – drums) is issuing a decree to rock and roll pretenders that they are guilty of phoning it in. Clutch has come once again to let them, and the rest of us, know that they mean business and (judging by the cannons and Valkyrie on the album cover) take no prisoners.
“X-Ray Visions” tells us that “psychic warfare is real.” I know the album certainly is because this first full track is a burner that rockets off like a jet car across salt flats. “Firebirds” is a fantastic blend of metal and mystical-themed rock that Clutch does so well. The band is always able to tap into a place where science fiction, fantasy, horror, and gut-punch rock mesh without trouble. If you are in a band, this is one of those tracks that will either inspire you to take your band to the next level or hang it up before you embarrass yourself further.
“A Quick Death in Texas” has a great swaggering groove. I’ve lost track of how many Clutch songs involve witches, but all of them are good and that includes “Sucker for the Witch.” Fallon admits “It goes against my Catholic upbringin’, but I’m a sucker for the witch.” I, a fellow Catholic, can’t blame him. As a friend of mine once said, “You could put a witch hat on any woman and she’ll look good.”
“Your Love Is Incarceration” has some of Sult’s slickest riffs. “Our Lady of Electric Light” almost sounds like a pirate song. “Noble Savage” is wonderfully frenetic, and Gaster goes bonkers on it. His drums lead the song more than the guitars, really. “Behold the Colossus” brings back the cosmic rock that Clutch does so well. It belongs on the soundtrack of a Silver Surfer movie should Marvel Studios decide to do one. “Decapitation Blues” is a solid rocker rooted with Maines’ bass. It’s easy to get hooked on Sult’s guitar work, Gaster’s grooves, and Fallon’s vocals, but Maines’ bass is so smooth on this track that it’s like a shadow creeping around the room.
The album ends with “Son of Virginia,” which harkens back to Clutch’s secret love of country blues, Americana, and the myths that go with it. It starts with spaghetti western guitar and builds to a raging funeral pyre that will melt your face.
Psychic Warfare is another solid entry into Clutch’s discography. This band can do no wrong. They tour with the passion of madmen, so you should be able to catch them live in a town near you. You owe it to yourself to do so.