The tracks mostly work in timing and certainly work in atmosphere. Unlike the supposition of synchronization between Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon and The Wizard Of Oz, Primus’ covers hold a lot of merit as an alternative soundtrack when watching its respective movie. Every track is covered, and each lyric, down to Claypool’s trademark muttering, is played straight. Perhaps surprisingly – or unsurprisingly, given Claypool’s love of the film – Primus & The Chocolate Factory is extremely faithful to the original Oscar-nominated soundtrack by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. The darkness and subtle bleakness of the film are highlighted in these covers Primus & The Chocolate Factory has all the derangement of that scarring riverboat scene, and it’s effective as an adult’s reimagining of the original’s madness. In a case of the bizarre from the mind of Primus’ bassist and singer Les Claypool, the American funk metal and experimental rock group reimagined the entire soundtrack to the 1971 film Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder in a psychedelic flair that rivals the original in acid intake.

Two cultural experiences guaranteed to elicit the phrase: What the fuck just happened? Naturally, merging the two elicits a second: No, seriously, what the fuck just happened?

Primus chocolate factory full album