There are moments in time where you see a band fully become what they should have always been. This was one of those nights. It was bitterly cold in Bristol but in this most mystical of places (Avon & Somerset) the pagans, goths, greebos, rockers and anyone else who doesn't always necessarily subscribe to the norm, were drawn to the sermon that was about to be sung at maximum volume.
Before that though, a warm up, a taster, an aperitif as Satan's Satyrs (5) thoroughly woke up the room with fuzzing garage rock. Now they state influences as wide as Electric Wizard and Black Flag but I heard some MC5 and New York Dolls too but just not done as well.
Most of the set was a bit too noisy and it felt rushed and I couldn't really pick out anything that was too exciting. They're basically grunged up indie rock and while they have a following they didn't do much for me.
Next up though it was time for some goth rocking courtesy of Unto Others (8). Now I've seen the band a few times in various venues but not for a long time and since then they've released much more material and become something of a goth sensation.
Next up though it was time for some goth rocking courtesy of Unto Others (8). Now I've seen the band a few times in various venues but not for a long time and since then they've released much more material and become something of a goth sensation.
Yep those who clad themselves in lace and leather loved bopping along to track such as Butterfly, Nightfall, Jackie and It Doesn't Really Matter. Unto Others always so good at blending NWOBHM, doom, post-punk and more extreme styles, their louche, Aviator wearing appearance downplaying the technicality they have as a band.
Taking much of their set from their latest album Never, Neverland, they ran through 18 songs in their setlist, throwing in their bouncy cover of Ramones' Pet Semetary before the crowd really got going for Give Me To The Night and Dragon, Why Do You Cry? You may think that the addition of Unto Others on to a show like this would be odd but there is a crossover with the Marble Factory packed for both bands.
Mirrored shades away it was time to light the incense and embrace the old gods.
Mirrored shades away it was time to light the incense and embrace the old gods.
While Unto Others are throwback to the 80's Green Lung (9) go back further to the 60's and 70's inspired by Sabbath (yes Scott Black rips on an SG) and the proto-metal bands such as Iron Butterfly, Vanilla Fudge and Blue Cheer, they also are inspired by UK doom rockers such as Orange Goblin, a band who will lay down their instruments this year, leaving a void that on this evidence Green Lung can deftly fill.
The London based band have gone stratospheric since the release of their most recent album This Heathen Land, the focus on more organs, from the dual wielding John Wright and a shift towards the more psychadelic sounds has seen people liken them to Ghost but I'd say Green Lung are much more authentic than Ghost.
The London based band have gone stratospheric since the release of their most recent album This Heathen Land, the focus on more organs, from the dual wielding John Wright and a shift towards the more psychadelic sounds has seen people liken them to Ghost but I'd say Green Lung are much more authentic than Ghost.
They conducted their sermon as if they were headling a festival, shooting out of the blocks with the perfect opening duo of The Forest Church and Mountain Throne, getting the claws in the air and voices singing loud.
They are full of energy live, vocalist Tom Templar standing as close to the crowd as he can get, hands outstretched to guide the audience throughout their ritual.
They are full of energy live, vocalist Tom Templar standing as close to the crowd as he can get, hands outstretched to guide the audience throughout their ritual.
The Ancient Ways, Call Of The Coven and May Queen got us all grooving like bunch of crazy witches, these songs of the pagan history of the UK throw back musically but also carry with them a social conscience of anti-fascism, pro-LGBTQ+, mental health positive lyrics away from religious dogma.
It's made them popular with the outcasts and misfits, anyone who feels abandoned by the increasingly right wing, religiously zealot world we live in. The pace was quick until the atmospheric Song Of The Stones which has bassist Joseph Ghast taking vocals and ritual drum combining with drummer Matt Wiseman for their mid set epic.
It's made them popular with the outcasts and misfits, anyone who feels abandoned by the increasingly right wing, religiously zealot world we live in. The pace was quick until the atmospheric Song Of The Stones which has bassist Joseph Ghast taking vocals and ritual drum combining with drummer Matt Wiseman for their mid set epic.
Many bands would find it difficult to reactivate the set after this slowing down but the Woodland Rites, Templar Dawn, Hunters In The Sky and the Maxine (Witch Queen) got things back on track with some dust pumping psychadelic doom rock.
After a short break at the end of the set they returned for a four song encore, culminating in the song they wrote to cope with depression One For Sorrow to massive applause and fan participation.
After a short break at the end of the set they returned for a four song encore, culminating in the song they wrote to cope with depression One For Sorrow to massive applause and fan participation.
With the Heathens appeased Green Lung finished and cemented their place in the UK metal scene with this headline tour. I've seen them play smaller shows on their rise to this point and they've always been popular.
However with how busy their middle of the day Bloodstock set was last year and how full The Marble Factory, and every other venue on this tour was, Green Lung are heading towards arenas very soon.
However with how busy their middle of the day Bloodstock set was last year and how full The Marble Factory, and every other venue on this tour was, Green Lung are heading towards arenas very soon.
My only criticism was they didn't play Oceans Of Time but there's always next time and there will definitely be a next time!
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