Review GREEN LUNG ‘The Heathen Land’

Green Lung is a band that was founded in 2017 and step by step gained popularity in the rock business. The debut ‘Woodland Rites’ and especially the sophomore release ‘Black Harvest’ helped the band the establish themselves as a serious player in the fields of gloomy rock and metal.

After having released the first two records via Svart Records it now Nuclear Blast who signed the Band and with ‘This Heathen Land’, the first result of this cooperation hits the shelves.

The third album, always known as make-it-or-break-it release, features eight songs plus an intro.

The prologue ‘The Forest Church Intro’ starts the album and introduce the listener into a great world of music, alternating between doom metal, a bit stoner and psychedelic rock. ‘The Forest Church’ itself is great example of the band’s versatility. While the verse is slower paced and calmer it is the anthemic chorus that catches the listener’s attention immediately. On top of it it’s the organ, providing an extra touch to this great opener.

Down tuned and a bit faster, that’s the following ‘Mountain Throne’. The song and its galloping rhythm lead you to an next sonic experience.

Maxine (Witch Queen)’ is an ode to ‘witch queen’ and blends some pop-like melodies with the sound of the 60s. ‘One For Sorrow’ is next and it’s the most accomplished track on the album. There are Sabbathian riffs combined with soulful clean vocals, all leading to an epic and powerful chorus.

‘The Ancient Ways’ is another pounding rocker with a doomy vibe and build on mighty riffs. Black Sabbath but also Lake Of Tears come to my mind while listening to the track. Slowly but steady we are getting closer to the finish line of the album. ‘Hunters in the Sky’ is a blistering moment of the album before the cinematic and dark ‘Oceans of Time’ heralds the end of the album. The closer is an epic tune that has the ingredients to provide a grande finale for ‘This Heathen Land’.

Green Lung continue their journey on the road to success and they do it based on great craftsmanship and passion for music that might not fit the mainstream but is authentic and approachable. It might take a few rounds on the record player before the album allows listeners to explore all the woven-in beauty and it is worth the effort.