Psychic Warfare

There’s always been a slight wink in Clutch’s pummeling, parallel-universe take on Southern rock: Here, singer Neil Fallon introduces the band by shouting out their astrological signs (“X-Ray Visions”) and later admits that despite his Catholic upbringing, he’s a sucker for witches (“Sucker for the Witch”). Sonically, the band’s approach remains brutal but lithe, using the deadpan old-Western humor of Fallon’s storytelling to lighten the propulsive sludge of the rhythm section. Always a world unto their own, Clutch soldiers on.

Since their inception, Clutch have amassed a global reputation as the platonic ideal of stoner rock. Psychic Warfare marks a return to the bluesy, boozy rock of their early catalog, with more than enough wacky stories to go around.

CLUTCH have become an institution of rock, and not just in their home state of Maryland, where you shall be shunned if you consider yourself deep into music and don't know their name. CLUTCH have long been one of the leaders of the sludge rock revival; along with headbangers, their fan base consists...