Review Summary: Back to origins
After several rumors in 2019, Mr. Bungle returned to the active together with the original trio (Patton, Dunn, and Spruance) with the special participation of ex-Slayer drummer Dave Lombardo and Anthrax guitarist Ian Scott for some concerts in February 2020, revisiting the first demo 1986, “The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny”. Quickly after the concerts, the group entered the studio and re-recorded the demo, removing the ska sections, and some forgotten tracks.
Like the original demo, “The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny” is pure thrash metal, but this time way better produced. Track after track, the intensity and speed are maintained. At an instrumental level, it is untouchable, Spruance's manic solos, Lombardo's solid drums, Dunn's precise and fast bass, present a maturity and talent that is impossible to point out any flaw. In the less positive points are the voice of Patton, who is notably aged to sing this type of music; the album as a whole is somewhat monotonous, mainly due to the fact that it is very direct and has few variations; and, finally, the section sung in Spanish in Hypocrites, which plays against the seriousness of the record.
Obviously, it is spectacular to have this legendary band back, but revisiting the first material composed as teenagers may not have been the best idea. For metalheads, it's a perfect album, but far from what made Mr. Bungle the geniuses of musical schizophrenia.
