Nearly eight years on from their first ever gig at The Black Heart, London cult heroes Green Lung have turned the beloved Camden institution into a shrine for all things occult ahead of their biggest hometown show to date. From the “Goaty Boutique” pop-up shop with a queue stretching out the door, to punters sinking pints of the band’s own ale brewed especially for the occasion, the band’s presence is everywhere.
The near sold-out date on the “Heathen Neverland” tour alongside Unto Others at the Kentish Town Forum is a celebration of bands who have trodden similar paths since their formations in 2017, slowly but surely building their reputations as promising young outfits on opposite sides of the Atlantic, tapping into sounds and influences from the heyday of traditional heavy metal. While billed at the same level on the poster and playing similar set times in Europe, the US goth metallers are very much the lesser-known quantity on these shores still and so, understandably, are taking a backseat to their touring partners while on their home turf.
Latest album ‘Never, Neverland’ saw Unto Others broaden their heavy gothic sound into more luscious horizons. Kicking off their set with the record’s opening two tracks showcases the contrast in its depth, with the sultry guitar licks, synth lines and haunting baritone of vocalist & rhythm guitarist Gabriel Franco on ‘Butterfly’, followed by full throttle-thrasher ‘Momma Likes The Door Closed’. The Oregon outfit’s newest songs are greeted with a joyous reaction from their passionate fans on the Forum’s floor throughout the set, with long-time live favourites ‘Jackie’ and ‘Can You Hear The Rain’ receiving cheers within seconds of their opening riffs kicking in.
The Portland quartet’s knack for anthemic songcraft has long been worthy of gracing the stages they now find themselves playing, with ‘Suicide Today’, ‘Time Goes On’ and the thunderous ‘Heroin’ among the set’s highlights, powered by the glorious twin guitar assault of Franco and lead guitarist Sebastian Silva. With only 45 minutes to work with, a pedant could argue they would have benefitted more from fitting in another original song as opposed to their cover of The Ramones classic ‘Pet Semetary’, however few fans would have been left disappointed at their gorgeously sounding take, before the closing run of ‘Give Me to the Night’ and ‘Dragon, Why Do You Cry?’ brings their set to a close with a rapturous mixture of applause and raised horns from the audience.
The reception that greets Green Lung’s arrival on the stage confirms that this is their night – a true victory lap for the occult stoner/doom metal group following the release of their critically acclaimed third album ‘This Heathen Land’ in 2023. Vocalist Tom Templar leads a sea of fists pumping across the room for opener ‘Woodland Rites’, while doom-laden ‘The Ancient Ways’ from their latest record underline the powerhouse presence his vocals bring to them in the live setting.
The band’s passion for all things British folklore, myths and legends is on show for all to see, from the backdrop mirroring the art style of their latest album, to matching denim jackets worn by each member adorned with the late Eric Fraser’s iconic Dorset Ooser illustration. An Ooser mask looms large at the raised back of the stage overlooking proceedings, flanked either side by keyboardist John Wright and drummer Matt Wiseman. Bassist Joseph Ghast and guitarist Scott Black dart up, down and across the stage throughout the set, with the latter delighting in amping up the crowd while ripping into glorious solos during the riotous ‘Mountain Throne’ and ‘Reaper’s Scythe’.
A special night in the band’s hometown brings with it some truly special moments. Templar introduces “The Oosettes”, aka dream folk group Something Sleeps, to take the lead on an encapsulating, stripped-down rendition of ‘Song of the Stones’ backed by violin and acoustic guitar – receiving one of the loudest ovations of the night – and to provide backing vocals for the rest of the set. The home-run stretch of ‘The Forest Church’, ‘Hunters in the Sky’ and the infectious ‘Maxine (Witch Queen)’ is a reminder of the sheer hit factory that is their latest record, ending the first part of their set on the anthemic ‘Graveyard Sun’.
Returning for an encore with sophomore album cuts ‘The Harrowing’ and ‘Old Gods’, Templar takes a few minutes to thank the crowd and address the momentous nature of the evening. While reminiscing about seeing doom metal luminaries Cathedral on their final tour at the same venue 13 years prior, he notes, “It was one of the things that made me want to form a band. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be on this stage.” He ends his speech with a shoutout to some of the capital’s grassroot venues that supported them on the way up, before Green Lung bring the night to a close in triumphant fashion with ever-present live set staple ‘Let the Devil In’ and ‘One for Sorrow’.
While there have been many success stories in British metal over the past decade, Green Lung’s rise through its underground by tapping into the roots of the genre’s origins is one of the most heart-warming and pleasing to see take shape. The sheer quality and captivating nature of their song-craft has set them on a path to play stages and headline shows much bigger than tonight’s magical gathering at the Forum; an evening which can be pointed to as sure-fire proof that this heathen land – and the world that lies beyond it – will be their oyster for many years to come.
BRAD STRATTON