Mr. Bungle
The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo
**** out of *****
The first official studio full length release from Mr. Bungle since 1999 is an album that dates back even further as The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo is a re-imagining of the bands demo of the same name from 1986. Increased years, talent and players make the new "demo" one of the best thrash metal albums released in a long time.
While Mr. Bungle quickly evolved into a band that would play any genre at any time in any song or style, during their early days and on this re-recording the music is straight up thrash. Original Bunglers, Mike Patton – lead vocals Trey Spruance – lead guitar Trevor Dunn – bass have added some high profile firepower with Scott Ian - rhythm guitar and Dave Lombardo -drums joining to pump up the sound exponentially. Lombardo in particular brings his double bass pummeling majesty to anchor the carnage.
Beginning with the spacey intro of "Grizzly Adams" the band dives into the battle with "Anarchy Up Your Anus" as guest Rhea Perlman orchestrates a Chilling, Thrilling Sounds of the Haunted House for the listener. The riffs fly into overdrive during "Raping Your Mind" with Patton letting out blood curdling screams while "Bungle Grind" is pure driving slamming force, hurtling ahead like landslide destroying all it leaves behind.
"Erascist" is less successful with its one, direct anti-bigotry message while also adding two covers that weren't on the original demo weighs down the release a bit. They tag on their own version of The Stormtroopers of Death "Speak English or Die" (here titled "Habla Español O Muere") to the end of "Hypocrites" hat dance flair while Corrosion of Conformity's "Loss for Words" is just a straight ahead cover that doesn't add much to the original and feels extraneous.
The best originals are the groove metal beats of "Methematics", the scalding "Glutton For Punishment" and the pummeling "Thighs of Death" which pairs Lombardo's never ending drum slams with power tool lead guitar soaring wails.
All the way until the smashing finale "Sudden Death" Mr. Bungle have honed one of the best thrash metal albums in years. While not as diverse as the bands past offerings The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny Demo elevates their early years to high levels of aggression.
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