Release Date: November 03rd 2023. Record Label: Nuclear Blast Records. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl
This Heathen Land - Tracklisting
1.Prologue 00:55
2.The Forest Church 05:10
3.Mountain Throne 04:24
4.Maxine (Witch Queen) 03:18
5.One for Sorrow 06:34
6.Song of the Stones 04:45
7.The Ancient Ways 05:33
8.Hunters in the Sky 04:47
9.Oceans of Time 06:53
Members:
Tom Templar: Vox
Scott Black: Guitars
Joseph Ghast: Bass
John Wright: Keys
Matt Wiseman: Drums
Review
Doom/Stoner Metallers Green Lung follow their acclaimed 2021 album Black Harvest with an even more spectacular follow-up with This Heathen Land. A concept album that acts as a soundtrack to the definitive Folk Horror Movie that the band have in their creative minds. The record is a collective style of tracks built on the rules of NWOBHM, Doom Metal, Stoner Metal and Psych Rock with the deep mysticism and lore of UK based Folk Horror.
Green Lung add cynical sounding Organs, Keyboards and Synths with a twinge of Electronica appearing within the most unexpected places even when Green Lung go full on NWOBHM mode with the dreamlike Occult Rock imagery never getting the way with their spellbinding and massive guitar solos that the album contains.
The record shows a deep massive love and respect for the 1970’s Classic Hard Rock scene with massive amounts of Twin Guitars, Progressive Rock and Proto-Doom sounds with that classic Folk Horror creative narrative. This allows Green Lung to write some of their most original sounding lyrics to date especially within the first part of the album with The Forest Church, Mountain Throne and Maxine (Witch Queen) impressing early on.
The deep romanticism of This Heathen Land contains a sinister theme even when Green Lung become more open with their music and draw up tales of gloomy romantic tales with horrific meanings behind them. However, it’s the music that stands out with Green Lung even drawing upon influences from bands such as Thin Lizzy, Queen, Deep Purple and Electric Wizard but this is still GREEN LUNG being GREEN LUNG.
The album is built on catchy melodies and world-building progressive levels of massive arena shredding Doom/Stoner Metal grooves where the band will ultimately be playing in the next few years. This Heathen Land is the type of album that propels a band over to the mainstream and with the band now aligning themselves with Nuclear Blast Records then it’s a case of when and not if.
Even with Green Lung moving to a major league label, they haven’t lost none of their creative sensibility or talent for writing intricate melodies and heavy pulsating Stoner grooves which is firmly solidified with the even better second half of the album with standout tracks such as One For Sorrow, The Ancient Ways and Oceans Of Time.
My favourite moments on the album are within the more quieter solemn moments where Green Lung use an abstract style of Synths, Organs and Spooky background sounds which adds another dark presence to the record that most Occult Rock based bands either cannot match or totally miss the point altogether. However, Green Lung have got this aspect expertly covered within their beautifully realised romantic vision.
This Heathen Land is a wonderfully epic album and allows Green Lung to deliver another Album Of The Year contender which allows this album to be considered a classic of the genre. No question. This is the real deal and Green Lung are on the verge of greatness.
Words by Steve Howe
This Heathen Land is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Nuclear Blast Records
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