On the heels of their successful 2020 pre-COVID reunion, Mr. Bungle, joined by Dave Lombardo and Scott Ian, have released a CD combined with either Blu-Ray/DVD/VHS of their October 2020 livestream event. I can’t say enough about it; the picture quality is drop dead gorgeous, the audio is super pristine, and you will be tired from headbanging by the end.
Reprising every song from The Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny Demo and a couple of nifty covers including “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” a deviant take on “Summer Breeze,” “World Up My Ass” by Circle Jerks, and the excellent Van Halen cover “Loss Of Control,” the band is on absolute fire and never let up. This is one of the most unique and deafening livestreams of the whole year. If you’re already a fan of Bungle and metal, then this is an absolute must see.
Tracks like “Raping Your Mind,” “Anarchy Up Your Anus,” and one of my top five favorite Bungle songs ever “Sudden Death” come blasting through your screen and speakers and refuse to let up. You’re enjoying the music but also keeping a close eye on everyone to see how in the ever-loving hell they’re able to play all this insane complex stuff.
Interspersing the music with cameos from the likes of Henry Rollins, Glenn Howerton and Eric Andre, among others, keeps things lite and fun. The band begins the show by quietly sitting in chairs and reading, like they’re trying to mess with the invisible crowd. Seeing Lombardo wearing his mask throughout the show will always be a reminder to future generations when this show took place.
Literally the only negative aspect of this presentation is the inclusion of Neil Hamburger’s opening set. He is a comedian I’ve never understood or liked, and if you already don’t know him, just skip it. Other than that, one thing, this is a flawless presentation of a great band playing some of the heaviest shit I’ve ever heard.