Somewhere in the universe, a sentence was spoken that nobody ever expected to hear:
“Primus and Puddles Pity Party have teamed up to cover Dio.”
And yet here we are, mun. 😈
The mighty weirdos in Primus have recruited the internet’s favourite giant sad clown Puddles Pity Party for a gloriously bizarre cover of Holy Diver, appearing on the band’s upcoming EP A Handful Of Nuggs.
Honestly? It’s absolutely mental… and we love every second of it. 🤘
🎪 THE MOST PRIMUS THING PRIMUS HAVE EVER DONE
If you’ve followed Primus for more than five minutes, you’ll know normal behaviour has never really been on the menu.
Led by bass wizard and certified musical goblin Les Claypool, the band have spent decades creating music that sounds like a carnival ride collapsing into a funk metal jam session after too many energy drinks.
So naturally, when choosing someone to sing one of heavy metal’s most legendary songs…
…they picked a massive silent clown in a gold suit.
Proper job. 😂🔥
⚔️ TAKING ON A METAL MONSTER
Now let’s not mess about here, butt — Holy Diver is sacred ground.
Originally unleashed by Dio in 1983, the track remains one of the greatest metal anthems ever created. From that legendary riff to the thunderous vocals of Ronnie James Dio, it’s basically carved into the walls of heavy metal history.
Covering it is risky business.
One wrong move and you end up sounding like a pub karaoke disaster after six pints of Strongbow.
But instead of trying to recreate the original note-for-note, Primus completely twist the song into their own warped universe.
And somehow…
…it absolutely works. 😳🔥
🤡 PUDDLES PITY PARTY IS TERRIFYINGLY BRILLIANT
There’s something deeply unsettling about hearing a seven-foot clown dramatically howl:
“HOLY DIVERRRRRRR!”
And yet it genuinely sounds incredible.
Puddles Pity Party brings this haunting theatrical vibe to the track that somehow fits perfectly with Primus’ weird funk-metal chaos. It feels creepy, emotional, funny, and strangely powerful all at once — like Tim Burton accidentally joined a doom metal band.
The whole thing sounds like a haunted circus got booked to headline Download Festival after midnight. 🎪💀
Honestly, we’d pay good money to see this performed live in a muddy festival field somewhere in Wales while somebody drops chips in the pit.
🥁 A HANDFUL OF NUGGS LOOKS DELIGHTFULLY BONKERS
The upcoming A Handful Of Nuggs EP already sounds like it’s going to be packed with the sort of madness only Primus could deliver.
And this cover sets the tone perfectly.
It’s experimental.
It’s ridiculous.
It’s theatrical.
It’s heavy.
It’s uncomfortable in the best possible way.
Exactly how rock music should be sometimes, mun. 🤘
🍻 THE RIFF REPORT VERDICT
This isn’t just a cover.
It’s a fever dream.
Primus and Puddles Pity Party have somehow taken one of metal’s most iconic songs and transformed it into a bizarre carnival of riffs, creepy vocals, and glorious chaos without losing what made the original special in the first place.
It shouldn’t work.
But by the riffs of Ronnie Dio… it absolutely does. 🔥
Go listen to it immediately.
Preferably loud.
Preferably while confusing your neighbours.
Only in rock music could this happen, butt. And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way. 🤘🎭🔥
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
Comments