Rune Grammofon RCD2097 | Even Helte Hermansen (g), Rune Negaard (b), Gard Nilssen (d) and Stale Storlokken (org). Rec. 2009

Formed six years ago by guitarist Even Helte Hermansen and bass player Rune Negaard in their hometown of Skien in Norway, Bushman’s Revenge is a powerful trio (here with guest organ player Stale Storlokken) whose influences range from hard rock acts such as Kiss and Pantera to free jazz gods Albert Ayler and Interstellar Space era John Coltrane. This latest helping from Bushman’s Revenge (named after a particularly fiery brand of chilli sauce), however, is more angled in the direction of rock improvisation than straightahead jazz chorusing, with plenty guitar chord riffing and fret board flaying emerging from the beating, pumping heart of Jitterbug.

This especially leaps out on their rendition of Motörhead’s ‘Damage Case’, a lethal blast of hot Metal action that is further enhanced with brutalised hammerings of energetic free jazz stomp. The less hectic side of Bushman’s Revenge surfaces on ‘Personal Poltergeist’, a spacious lope that slowly escalates into a spiritualised jam session. The closing ‘Waltz For My Good Man’ is a beautifully paced ballad that cools the heat and displays the musical versatility of this exciting group. Edwin Pouncey