Mr. Bungle – Disco Volante (2xLP)

Disco Volante is the second studio album by Mr. Bungle, released in 1995. It marked a sharp turn from their self-titled debut, plunging deeper into experimental territory with avant-garde structures, abrupt shifts in style and mood, and an emphasis on atmosphere as much as songcraft. The album veers from free-form jazz and death metal blasts to Middle Eastern motifs, electronics, lounge and noise collage, all bound together by the band’s taste for the unpredictable.

The record is challenging but rewarding, demanding close attention to uncover its textures and twisted humour. Mike Patton’s wide-ranging vocals move from whispers to shrieks, while the band navigate extreme tempo changes and genre collisions with precision. Disco Volante has since gained a reputation as a bold, uncompromising piece of work that cemented Mr. Bungle’s cult status in experimental and avant-metal circles.

Reviews

“Disco Volante is one of the strangest albums ever released on a major label, and one of the most rewarding.” — AllMusic

“Mr. Bungle’s second album pushes boundaries further than most bands would dare, mixing everything from death metal to spaghetti western soundtracks into an unholy brew.” — Pitchfork