In the ’80 and ’90s, Mr. Bungle was one of the bands that heralded advanced forms of hard rock – thrash-metal, math-metal, hardcore punk. Composed measures, harmonic explorations, unusual shredding on the guitars, great speed of execution, you name it. Mike Patton (vocals, screaming, growling, pig squealing, etc.), Trey Spruance (guitars) and Trevor Dunn (bass) reappear 21 years after the band’s last studio album. The project we’re talking about here is eminently romantic, since it was about replaying the material of a demo conceived in 1986. To flesh out the proposal, they recruited notable collaborators: drummer Dave Lombardo (Slayer), guitarist Scott Ian (Anthrax), not to mention a short narration by actress Rhea Perlman. Often recruited by the papal John Zorn in avant-garde spheres as enlightened representatives of shrieking metal, Mike Patton (Faith No More, Fantomas, Tomahawk), Trevor Dunn (Secret Chiefs 3, Tomahawk, Melvins, Fantomas, Trio-Convulsant) and Trey Spruance (Secret Chiefs 3) now revisit their past. It’s evident that these musicians have certainly evolved technically, more agile and more precise than in the ’80s, so their performances are undoubtedly virtuoso… and that’s it. This music is reminiscent of the good old days, but… are these reconstructions of emerging forms of learned rock from more than 30 years ago now at the service of a truly outstanding, even classic work? Ask the question…
