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

Green Lung
Background information
OriginSouth London
Genres
Years active2017–present
LabelsNuclear Blast Records
MembersJoseph Ghast (bass)
Matt Wiseman (drums)
Scott Black (guitars)
Tom Templar (vocals)
John Wright (organ)
Websitegreenlung.co.uk

History

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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".[2] 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,[1] 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

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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[2] and also by British folklore such as the Green Man[2] and the Pendle witches.[14]

The band works with English graphic designer and illustrator Richard Wells, who has designed the covers and vinyl inserts for their albums and their EP, as well as merchandise and stage backdrops. The art produced in his work with Green Lung is inspired by Well's own linocut art style and evokes the same folklore and horror themes as their lyrics.[15]

Discography

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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)

References

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  1. ^ a b Abbatoir (18 November 2022). "Green Lung – Ink Record Deal With Nuclear Blast". Metal Storm. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Leonie Cooper (30 July 2021). "Green Lung: the folk-horror heavy metallers inspiring cult-like support". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  3. ^ Webb, Rich (18 March 2019). "ALBUM REVIEW: Woodland Rites – Green Lung". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  4. ^ Metal-Temple.com. "Metal-Temple.com :: Green Lung – Woodland Rites (CD Review)". www.metal-temple.com. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  5. ^ Ground, The Screaming (4 February 2020). "Green Lung sign to Svart". The Screaming Ground. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Band Profile for GREEN LUNG – boa-2021 | Bloodstock". www.bloodstock.uk.com. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Album review: Green Lung – Black Harvest". Kerrang!. 27 October 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  8. ^ "13 of the gnarliest moments from Damnation Festival 2022". Kerrang!. 9 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  9. ^ "Green Lung – Confirm European Spring Tour Dates". Metal Storm. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  10. ^ Askew, Robin (14 December 2022). "REVIEW: CLUTCH/GREEN LUNG/TIGERCUB, O2 ACADEMY". Bristol 24/7. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  11. ^ Webb, Rich (18 March 2019). "ALBUM REVIEW: Woodland Rites – Green Lung". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  12. ^ Weaver, James (21 October 2021). "ALBUM REVIEW: Black Harvest – Green Lung". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  13. ^ Ruskell, Nick (27 October 2021). "Album review: Green Lung – Black Harvest". Kerrang.com. Kerrang!. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Green Lung announce third album This Heathen Land, release single…". Kerrang!. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Woodland Rites, by GREEN LUNG". GREEN LUNG. Retrieved 9 September 2024.