Mr Bungle – The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo

Mr Bungle

‘The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny’ Demo

Ipecac Recordings

Thrash Metal

FFO: Anthrax, Stormtroopers of Death, Dead Cross, Prong, Acid Drinkers

What an eclectic mix Mr Bungle are and in an on and off career, the band have only mustered three studio albums. Admittedly, those studio albums are highly revered as Mike Patton and co. pushed the boundaries of just how avant-garde heavy metal could get. This year has Mr Bungle returning by rerecording ‘The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny’, their original demo album and giving it a new lease of life 34 years on.

                Mr Bungle began life idolising thrash metal bands and the real catch here with ‘The Raging Wrath…’ is the addition of two bona fide thrash legends into the mix with Scott Ian and Dave Lombardo. Unlike most Mr Bungle releases which have focused upon Patton and his eccentricities, it is actually Lombardo and Ian which make this album; between them, the duo have a distinctively recognisable sound and it really sharpens the demos rather tarnished talons. Had this album actually been officially released in 1986, it would be just another generic and rather dull thrash album. But instead, Mr Bungle have delivered something that is crisp and actually quite enjoyable with tracks such as the new ‘Methmatics’ and ‘Eracist’ with its Killing Joke undercurrent as well a cover of Stormtroopers of Death’s ‘Speak English or Die’, stylised here as ‘Habla Español O Muere’ and Corrosion of Conformity’s ‘Loss for Words’ adding a much needed boost;  while ‘Anarchy Up Your Anus’ and ‘Raping Your Mind’ are given a second chance to impress. However, is this album actually needed? It’s not exactly anything really new, it does have a slight whiff of thrash metal chancing and where are the blistering good solos that so engrained in the thrash mantra? Because they’re not here and when tracks drag to seven minutes plus without much change, it does start to become a little tedious. Furthermore, Mr Bungle fans are used to something that not only breaks the mould but also challenges convention and it may leave them feeling quite alienated. Conversely, although this may be the case, the sole thrash nature of ‘The Raging…’ does have the ability to drag in those old school thrashers.

                ‘The Raging…’ is actually quite good, but if you’re excited about a new Mr Bungle album full of odd time signatures and crazy arrangements then unfortunately, you won’t find it here, but if you’re looking for some good old fashioned thrash, then look no further.

Adam McCann