GREEN LUNG
This Heathen Land
Nuclear Blast
Hold onto your cauldrons because GREEN LUNG is back. This Heathen Land is a psychedelic opus that slaps the stale incense out of your hands and pulls you headfirst into the mossy undergrowth of occult rock's uncharted territory. This isn't just an album; it's a ritual. The London quintet, known for their mystical lyrics and thick, doom-laden riffs, has transcended the confines of their own sound, creating something that feels like it's always existed-like the old gods they've been singing about have finally woken up and decided to start a band.
GREEN LUNG has always flirted with the esoteric, but here, they've fully married it in a sacred hand fasting ceremony conducted by a coven of BLACK SABBATH and DEEP PURPLE devotees. Their earlier work, especially on Woodland Rites, was already a thunderous declaration of intent-witchy lyrics, riffs that could crack bones, and an atmosphere thick enough to choke a dragon. But This Heathen Land sees them harnessing those primal forces with a maturity that's both terrifying and thrilling. It's as if they've tapped into the ley lines of British heavy metal, channeling an energy that's simultaneously ancient and fresh as hell.
The opening track "The Forest Church" sets the tone with its eerie organ and galloping riffage-a headlong dive into a sonic swamp where only the brave dare tread. It's as if the band wants you to know that while the woods are dark and deep, they're also full of tales and tones that demand your full attention. GREEN LUNG's ability to craft a narrative is on full display here, guiding you through a landscape where every chord is a stepping stone, every lyric a road sign pointing to some forgotten folklore.
Their sound on this album is a well-honed blade, sharper and more precise than anything they've wielded before. Tracks like "Mountain Throne" and "Hunters In The Sky" grind with the ferocity of a band that's dug deep into their influences and come up with a sonic talisman-a charm against mediocrity. The riffs are meatier, the solos more intricate, and the rhythm section pounds away like a blacksmith hammering iron. But it's the seamless melding of these elements that really conjures the magic. There's a balance here, a deep sense of knowing exactly when to push and when to hold back, that elevates This Heathen Land from mere collection of songs to a fully immersive experience.
Thematically, GREEN LUNG remains steeped in the lore of the land-their lyrics continuing to weave tales of mysticism and dark nature. But there's a depth here that suggests the band has been spelunking into the darker corners of the human psyche, coming up with material that feels both personal and universal. You can almost hear the ghosts of England's past whispering through the cracks in songs like "The Ancient Ways"-a track that feels less like a song and more like a summoning. It's a tribute to their craft that they can make something so rooted in the past feel so vital in the present.
One could say that This Heathen Land is a triumph of evolution, but that would imply that GREEN LUNG has reached their final form, and anyone who's been following this band knows better than to believe that. No, this album feels more like a chapter in an ongoing saga-one that's far from over. The band has taken the raw materials of their sound and forged them into something more potent, more dangerous. They're not just telling stories anymore; they're living them, and they're daring you to join them.
For those entrenched in the occult doom rock scene, GREEN LUNG has been a beacon-a torch in the darkness, lighting the way for those who hunger for something more than the usual chug-a-lug riff-fests. With This Heathen Land, they've cemented their place not just as practitioners of the craft, but as its shamans. This is an album that demands to be heard loud, in a room lit only by candles, with the scent of burnt sage thick in the air. Anything less would be sacrilege.
5.0 Out Of 5.0
