Bushmen’s Revenge: Ah, Les Vaches

Is It Jazz? Records the Norwegian imprint from the folks behind Karisma Records has already built a reputation for adventurous releases from bands like Krokofant and Soft Ffog. Now they’re set to release Bushmen’s Revenge’s twelfth album, Ah, Les Vaches, on May 29th, 2026. Somehow this is my first encounter with the band, and judging from the liner notes, the album draws inspiration from an eclectic cast of friends, pets, and assorted critters. Sure, why not?

The opener, “Unholy Ghost,� hits like a brick: fuzzedout guitar, controlled chaos, and a punkleaning minimalism that sets the tone immediately. That raw, aggressive edge carries into “Velkommen Til Gards,� where the band unleashes a reckless (in the best way) burst of soloing over atmospheric guitar textures lurking in the background. It feels loose, improvisational, and alive.

“And Guilt Was His NameO� shifts gears with a cleaner guitar tone almost surflike, drenched in reverb and vibrato, proving the band can be just as effective without the grit. Then comes “Radyrparet,� a slow-burning, atmospheric piece built on volume swells and a countrytinged slide feel. Even at its plodding pace, it finds pockets of intensity. Their take on Prince’s “Purple Rain� is… well, let’s just say it’s unrecognizable. If Prince weren’t credited, I’d never guess it was a cover. Its dirge-like pacing left me cold, and it highlights my main issue with the album: the meandering. When the band slows down, the momentum can evaporate entirely.

Thankfully, the fire returns with “One Small Step for Man, One Giant Mistake for Mankind,� a standout track full of subtle background atmospherics and renewed urgency. Bushmen’s Revenge ultimately isn’t my cup of tea, but it’s clear they possess a wide sonic palette and can pivot between aggression and ambience with ease. They’re a fascinating band, even if their approach doesn’t always land for me.

Favorite Track: One Small Step for Man, One Giant Mistake for Mankind

Track Listing
1. Unholy Ghost
2. Velkommen Til Gards
3. And Guilt Was His Name - O
4. Radyrparet
5. Purple Rain
6. One Small Misstep for Man, One Giant Mistake for Mankind
7. Bram
8. Barbara
9. Pauseakvariet
10. I Am A Ghost Now

Added: May 30th 2026
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Related Link: Bushmen's Revenge @ bandcamp
Hits: 26
Language: english

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