Green Lung band review

 Green Lung 

Dream Land

 It’s 6.30 pm on a Saturday in August. We have just finished our last pre-drink basking in the rays of a slowly sinking sun. The beach is heaving, with no signs anyone is planning on leaving anytime and the evening crowds are mingling with sandy-toed beach revellers as the Seaside town of Margate readies itself for Saturday night. 

We join a crowd of long-haired band t-shirt wearers who have just vacated ‘The Mechanical Elephant’ (a typical Wetherspoons pub with a cool name). The group abruptly stop at the end of an already snaking queue leading from the ballroom entrance of Dream Land.

The Venue staff are efficient and we are through the doors in no time at all, opting to visit the merch stand, who it seems were not prepared for the influx of consumers. I take great pleasure in Green Lungs shirt depicting a goat creature wielding a scythe and sheaf of wheat, the caption across the bottom reads ‘Thresh Metal’. The levels of genius are strong on that one. 

The Venue space is tiny, a white high-ceilinged place that could easily host bingo, weddings or conferences. It is not the type of venue that immediately springs to mind when I think of Pagan Doom rockers Green Lung and my brain would much rather be watching them in the middle of the woods or perhaps a cave. However, the capacity is small and it isn't sold out so we have a clear view of the stage and lots of space for dancing.

The crowd is generally older than I expected, with a lot of hard rock fans, judging by the patches on the back of jackets. There is a heavily unbalanced ratio of male to female attendees but in a very non-intimidating way, which is nice. Shorter queue for the toilets at least.

The support band, Lowen, are one I have never heard before and honestly, I think they should be getting more attention. Female fronted by Nina Saeidi, the English heavy metal band brings heavy chugging riffs, powerful drums and an underlying pulse of Middle Eastern elements which course through every single song. The result is a stage presence that blows me away. Wielding a knife, Saeidi holds the crowd’s attention with a piercing glare that speaks of goddess energies and witchy vibes. Throughout the set she maintains a serious expression and commands the entire room. Her powerful voice undulates over the guitars and gives the impression you are part of a large-scale ritual rather than simply watching a band. The feeling is intensified when she brings out a weighty golden book and proceeds to chant over the top of the music, fingers aloft as though spell casting. The theatrics might not be for everyone but Lowens performance truly awakened something inside me, filling me with a buzz of energy that usually only comes from full moons and coven circles! 

With roots deeply woven through English folklore, it isn't a surprise to discover a huge statue of a horned beast being revealed as we near the arrival of Green Lung’s set. What looks like a Mary Llewd head is attached to one of the stands and a large banner emblazoned with folk art hangs at the back. Surprisingly, the 500 capacity venue has only filled a little more since Lowen’s set and we are easily able to step towards the front, landing ourselves 3 people deep, with an excellent view of the stage. As soon as Green Lung appear I am aware of very little else other than their music. This is my first time seeing Green Lung live, and Tom Templar's voice sounds even more incredible in person, he wails powerfully through each song, smashing out favourite after favourite if the crowds reaction is anything to go by. There is no mosh pit to speak of and very little shoving, instead the crowd seem more inclined to adopt the slow headbanging nod of the Doom stoner type bands. My friend and I seize the perfect opportunity for some hands swirling, booty shaking goth club dancing, which I can testify works incredibly well to the squealing guitars and almost seductive vocals. Much like Lowen, the music of Green Lung is steeped in a ritualistic magic and I feel as though I have given myself entirely to the music. 

With the crowd being an eclectic mix, there is a confusion of devil horns, claws and fists being thrust into the air but nobody cares because Green Lung are truly a band that is about the music, and every single person in the room is zoned in solely on the captivating performance. It feels like a very wholesome and safe space. 

‘Templar Dawn’ is a particularly epic performance, the song is incredible and hearing it live with that slightly sinister guitar intro followed by a slow, sludgy beat is honestly incredible and has bumped it up to being one of my favourite songs. 

The energy in the room is palpable; almost everyone sings along at least once, there are very few people standing still. 

All too soon it is over, though we all know it isn't really and with a few encouraging cheers they are back on stage in a flurry of hair and flailing arms, ‘Let the Devil In’ sends everyone a little feral in the best way possible and we leave the Ballroom, sweaty and gig satiated. 

This is a band that deserves to be huge and I urge everyone to go and experience them live, though I am grateful to have seen them in such an intimate venue. 

Middle of the woods next time please, Green Lung? 

Josie Coleman