Green Lung Explained

Green Lung is a British stoner doom band formed in 2017 in London, currently signed to Nuclear Blast Records.^[1]

History

Green Lung began by playing to small audiences in local public houses, building a following in part due to activity on Instagram^[2] From here, the band's first signing was with German independent label Kosmic Artifactz, with whom they released their first EP, Free the Witch in 2018, and then their first LP Woodland Rites in March 2019. This latter release saw significant critical acclaim within the relevant specialist press, with Rich Webb of Distorted Sound magazine describing it as "simply incredible"^[3] and Dave Knowles of Metal Temple calling it an "instant classic".^[4]

They then signed with Finnish doom metal specialist label Svart Records in 2020.^[5] Vocalist Tom Templar said at interview that the band chose Svart over an unidentified larger label, calling them the "last bastion of music industry good". In 2021 the band played at Bloodstock festival,^[6] before releasing the album Black Harvest in October of that year. This release again received positive reviews, this time from larger publications including Kerrang!.^[7]

The band signed with Nuclear Blast Records in July 2022, before playing a set at Damnation Festival in November, again to positive coverage including from Kerrang!^[8]

They supported Clutch in an international tour in late 2022.^{[9] [10]}

Influences and musical style

Green Lung's musical style has been described as drawing heavily from British classic rock and early heavy metal, with Queen, Deep Purple and especially Black Sabbath's 1970s material cited as audible influences by reviewers.^{[11] [12] [13]}

The band's lyrical and visual theming are influenced by 1960s and 70s folk horror films and also by British folklore such as the Green Man and the Pendle witches.^[14]

Discography

Studio albums

• Woodland Rites (2019)
• Black Harvest (2021)
• This Heathen Land (2023)

EP

• Free the Witch (2018)

Demo

• Green Man Rising (2017)

Singles

• "Lady Lucifer" (2018)
• "Let the Devil In" (2019)
• "Leaders of the Blind" (2021)
• "Reaper's Scythe" (2021)
• "Graveyard Sun" (2021)
• "Upon the Altar" (2021)
• "Mountain Throne" (2023)
• "Maxine (Witch Queen)" (2023)
• "One for Sorrow" (2023)

Notes and References

1. News: Abbatoir . 18 November 2022 . Green Lung – Ink Record Deal With Nuclear Blast . . 5 August 2023.
2. News: Leonie Cooper. Green Lung: the folk-horror heavy metallers inspiring cult-like support. The Guardian. 11 November 2022. 30 July 2021.
3. Web site: Webb . Rich . 18 March 2019 . ALBUM REVIEW: Woodland Rites – Green Lung . 11 November 2022 . Distorted Sound Magazine . en-GB.
4. Web site: Metal-Temple.com . Metal-Temple.com :: Green Lung – Woodland Rites (CD Review) . 11 November 2022 . www.metal-temple.com . EN.
5. Web site: Ground . The Screaming . 4 February 2020 . Green Lung sign to Svart . 11 November 2022 . The Screaming Ground . en.
6. Web site: Band Profile for GREEN LUNG – boa-2021 Bloodstock . 11 November 2022 . www.bloodstock.uk.com.
7. Web site: Album review: Green Lung – Black Harvest . 11 November 2022 . Kerrang! . 27 October 2021 . en.
8. Web site: 13 of the gnarliest moments from Damnation Festival 2022 . 11 November 2022 . Kerrang! . 9 November 2022 . en.
9. Web site: Green Lung – Confirm European Spring Tour Dates . 5 August 2023 . Metal Storm . en.
10. News: Askew . Robin . 14 December 2022 . REVIEW: CLUTCH/GREEN LUNG/TIGERCUB, O2 ACADEMY . Bristol 24/7 . 8 May 2023.
11. Web site: Webb . Rich . 18 March 2019 . ALBUM REVIEW: Woodland Rites – Green Lung . 12 August 2023 . Distorted Sound Magazine . en-GB.
12. Web site: Weaver . James . 21 October 2021 . ALBUM REVIEW: Black Harvest – Green Lung . 12 August 2023 . Distorted Sound Magazine . en-GB.
13. Web site: Ruskell . Nick . Album review: Green Lung – Black Harvest . Kerrang.com . 27 October 2021 . . 12 August 2023.
14. Web site: 7 August 2023 . Green Lung announce third album This Heathen Land, release single… . 12 August 2023 . Kerrang! . en.