Album Review: Mr Bungle - The Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny Demo

Listening back to the original ...Easter Bunny demo from ’86, it is clear that, with the talent inherent in this band (especially the 2020 incarnation, which includes founding members Trey Spruance and Mike Patton with Anthrax's Scott Ian and Slayer's Dave Lombardo, no less), an updating of that recording was more than warranted. True, there will certainly be fans who still prefer the rough-as-guts version from almost three-and-a-half decades ago, but this is a very welcome reimagining.

And it’s not like the band have gone all ultra-slick on it, adorning it with all manner of studio effects and the like, as it still sounds raw and real. They’ve just made it a little more listenable and easier on the ear.

That extra clarity has brought out the sheer exuberance of these classic thrash metal tunes. This is pure, fun, '80s thrash, rollicking along at a million miles an hour with the great Patton howling with maniacal precision over the top.

Add to this the fact that there’s extra material on here – three extra tunes and some choice, very Bungled-up covers (including a brief grab of their take on S.O.D’s Speak English Or Die) – and this becomes a very worthwhile package.

It may not be an album of completely brand new material, as some may have been expecting and hoping for, but after more than 20 years, anything new from these legends will be welcomed with a cheesy grin and wide open arms.