Green Lung “This Heathen Land” Album Review
Formed in London in 2017, Green Lung have rapidly developed a cult following with their brand of occult doom metal and their first two albums Woodland Rites (2019) and Black Harvest (2021) brought a folk horror styling to occult rock. Their profile has been rising year on year resulting in international tours with the likes of Clutch, festival performances from Roadburn to Bloodstock to Download and now, a record deal with the world’s biggest independent heavy metal label Nuclear Blast Records.
Their first album with Nuclear Blast “This Heathen Land” is out tomorrow and is available in vinyl, CD, and digital formats. Green Lung are Tom Templar (vocals), Scott Black (guitar), Joseph Ghast (bass), Matt Wiseman (drums) and John Wright (organ).
I’ve been a Green Lung fan, since I heard the opening lines to the opening track on their debut album “Woodland Rites” which hit me like a bolt with it’s early Sabbath feel. Having signed with a major label, working again with producer/engineer Wayne Adams at Bear Bites Horse Studio once more, but now with Tom Dalgety (Opeth, Clutch, Ghost) on mixing duties, I was looking forward to seeing what “The Woodland Rites” had to offer.
Tom Templar says about the album:
“Perhaps unsurprisingly, I’ve had the classic Reader’s Digest book Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain by my bedside since childhood…. With this album I wanted to conjure the experience of reading that book in sonic form - to take listeners on a journey into the weird world of British folklore, into the woods and over the mountains and onto the moors, and to inspire them to see the magic that’s still out there, if you use a little imagination.”
The album opens with a spoken word introduction, set against a substle eerie synth track The Forest Church Intro which sets the scene perfectly for what’s to come. Styled like a classic Hammer Horror / Vincent Price-like intro it says:
“Beyond the cities and motorways of modern Britain, away from the influence of its Christian churches and cathedrals, lies another country. An older, stranger country. A country of lonely tors and desolate moors, of forgotten woods and mysterious standing stones. You are about to embark on a journey into occult Albion. Come. It’s time to explore this heathen land…”
And with that, we’re straight into the opening track The Forest Church (funnily enough) with a rousing drum beat. Toms eerie vocals set perfectly against an organ creating a sinister and brooding air, before the track bursts into life for the chorus sections with an explosion of deep heavy, and precise guitar riffs. The lead vocals are intricately woven with the backing harmonies leading to a stunning power rock guitar solo. It sets the scene for the ritual pagan metal that’s to follow.
Mountain Throne just bursts out at you with catchy power riffs right from the off. A track written about the trial of the Pendle witches in 1612 which among the most famous witch trials in English history The twelve accused lived in the area surrounding Pendle Hill in Lancashire, and were charged with the murders of ten people by the use of witchcraft. The track has the cut of a classic rock track, but with a modern twist and is fast and furious with a devilishly catchy chorus.
Next up is a love letter to the “witch queen” of the Swinging Sixties, Maxine Sanders in the form of Maxine, who was a key figure in the development of modern pagan witchcraft and Wicca, along with her husband, Alex Sanders, and they co -founded Alexandrian Wicca. Considering the doom styling of much of their material, this one is surprisingly a track you can get up and dance to, and in a way it has a touch of Ghost to it, perhaps in the way the organ takes a more prominent role in the danceable mix.
Maybe for me, my favourite track on the album is One For Sorrow which is a beast of a track with pounding riffs delivering a classic doom wall of delightful noise, matched perfectly with Tom’s haunting and soaring vocals, showcasing his range brilliantly. Its here where Green lung reach their heaviest, but with crisp clear tones and excellent musicianship.
As Song Of The Stones starts, there is a simple, single drum beat, which instantly made me think of Heilung or Wardruna, creating an instant sense of ancient mysticism, the keys creating a whistle or pan-pipe sound adding to the ethereal mix. The lyrics are based on Grant Allen’s 1892 ghost story “Pallinghurst Barrow” about spirits who linger in old places in the English countryside. The track is filled with delicate and beautiful harmonies, with an exceptional guitar solo. It certainly has than Nordic feel to it !
The Ancient Ways is classic Green Lung, and wouldn’t be out of place on “Woodland Rites” with its tales of walking the ancient pathways. The keys here take on a move away from the more traditional organ tone to a complex synth tone mixed with some thunderous groovy riffs. I loved the way the track almost fades away, swirling into the distance, with a psychedelic effect added to create a mystical feel.
Next is Hunters In The Sky a track about the battle for the right to roam on the ancient landsa round Dartmore, referencing the folklore of Old Crockern and Wistman’s Wood. With some power rock vocal sections and wall to wall riffs, its Green Lung on full charge ! Its punchy and in a way aggressive in its approach Wielding pummelling Matt Pike-esque riffs, an army of concussive war drums and the album’s heaviest breakdown, it’s the one of the most aggressive, rousing and cathartic songs the band have ever written.
As the album closes we end on Oceans Of Time, which is taken from a spoken line in Bran Stokers “Dracula”. The intro section, is unlike anything else on the album, synth tones almost wind like, as the vocals kick in and refer to the Carpathian mountains, as the guitars and drums suddenly explode like a wave smashing into the rocks. A vampire love song on metal steroids, it reaches goth rock levels with its stunning riffs and extravagant vocal performance.
Green lung have carved out their very own unique sound, unlike anything else. I love their debut album “Woodland Rites” and 2021’s “Black Harvest” was a fitting follow up. Having joined Nuclear Blast, Green lung has stepped it up a gear yet again. Not just in the song writing and sonic power of their material, but the whole album concept and design package. “This Heathen Land” continues the epic early Black Sabbath style that has made them cult heroes, but adds a new depth and quality to their sound.
An outstanding album, and a great 9.5 from LiveWire Music.
