Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters – Come & Chutney

In today’s increasing volatile political climate artists of all kinds are scrambling aimlessly to find their niche – to leave their mark, if you will. Metal bands like Brujeria and Napalm Death have spoken out against Trump in interviews; and we all remember the iconic Municipal Waste t-shirt in which Trump is depicted blowing out his brains.

Although most musicians have willfully attempted to disengage from the political sphere, this hostile climate has made it virtually impossible – with everything from Antifa activists calling out merchants for distributing NSBM,  to foreign bands finding it increasingly difficult to tour America due to new immigration laws. All this insanity has made it impossible not to react in some way. UK psychedelic doom outfit, Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters’ reaction was interesting to say the least. The band’s answer was to get so stoned and dosed that it enabled them to enter a less hostile, alternate reality – and to create music designed to aid in that quest.

Upon listening to the band’s debut full length release, “Come & Chutney,” one can easily say mission accomplished. Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters seek to subvert the traditional boundaries of stoner doom with reverberations that color outside the lines in a beautiful way.

The band refuses to conform to conventional norms of their genre by fusing elements from varying sub-genres within the doom umbrella in a surprisingly melodious fashion. Singer and guitarist Owen Carty’s labored, throaty rasps and sludgy distortion reminiscent of the Melvins circa “Gluey Porch Treatments” era, combined with trippy, psychedelic jams on par with any band you’d hear at “Burning Man” created for a truly unique listening experience, to say the least. Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters aren’t just another Weedeater. Their sound is so much more interesting than the average fair.

What I loved about this album was the sheer melody of the songs. From the first track, entitled “Doggy Bag of Slurry,” this album grooved so hard I couldn’t help but move my body to the groovy sounds emanating from my headphones. The band truly understands the dynamics of good songwriting – all the tracks melded beautifully together and the transitions within them were seamless.

Although the theme behind “Come & Chutney” is to forget about politics and just “get high man,” the band couldn’t help but include one song dedicated to denigrating Trump. Track 7, entitled “Doner Trump,” is blatantly anti-Trump; with simple yet maligning lyrics that speak directly to the POTUS, such as “You got a tiny dick. You fucking make me sick…….. I hope you rot in hell. I hope you die.” The video is filled with imagery of alt-right demonstrations and people eating food. The message is clear – we’re fucked – might as well get stoned and eat dank food.

The entire album culminates into full-fledged acid trip at the end with a track entitled “Psychedelic Hallucinogenic Vagrancy.” This songs whisks the listener into a parallel universe with its groovy hook, lengthy jams, and perfectly executed use of effect pedals and delay. This track was truly memorable and never boring, despite its ten minute length. The use of clean vocals on this track was also a good call. It complemented the feel of the song well.

Overall, this album hit the spot for me. Come & Chutney manages to be chill and gritty simultaneously. Mostly, they just break barriers. I would recommend this album to fans of Weedeater, Wo Fat, The Melvins, and even Eyehategod. It will not disappoint.

Score 9/10
Track List
1. Doggy Bag Of Slurry
2. Krones Of The Kiln
3. Cojones Feos
4. Glue Ear
5. Gutlads
6. Gawdless
7. Döner Trump
8. Psychedelic Hallucinogenic Vagrancy
Release Date
July 13th 2018
Label
Riff Rock Records

For all things Chubby Thunderous Bad Kush Masters click HERE and to purchase the album, click HERE