This Heathen Land

Londons Green Lung has been administering huge Sabbathy riffs and Albion folk-rock vibes to the underground since 2017. After delivering a pair of greasy occult-rock gems (2019s Woodland Rites and 2021s Black Harvest), they set their unholy compasses to the mainstream and inked a deal with Nuclear Blast. This Heathen Land retains its predecessors penchant for pairing grainy Hammer Films gothic horror with stoner-psych muscle, but it does so with the golden patina of major label money. Far removed from the sinful flash and dazzle of Ghost, though there are plenty of apt comparisons to be made aesthetically, This Heathen Land leans harder into classic NWOBHM and noodly English space rock, achieving a moody sort of grandeur that feels more stone circle-suited than stadium-ready. Tom Templars nasally vocals echo Ozzy and Tobias Forge with post-grunge undercurrents, while the band maintains a steady and inventive backdrop rooted in Hammond organ and twin guitar-led sonic worldbuilding that evokes King Diamond by way of Deep Purple. ~ James Christopher Monger