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support Spell
author MN date 01/04/24 venue Pumpehuset, Copenhagen, DEN

As the rain drizzles down this sombre Easter Monday in Copenhagen, there's an electric anticipation in the air tonight. The rain crackles like static as I make my way through the crowded queue toward Pumpehuset, where Green Lung is set to play to a sold-out venue. Among the most hyped live bands of our days, Green Lung is a band that captivates audiences with their heavy metal, tinged with elements of stoner metal and rock-n-roll. The rain may be dreary, but it’s a befitting mood-setter. It's as though the earthly elements conspire to set the stage for an unforgettable evening of occult-infused rock by these Britons.

Green Lung isn't a run-of-the-mill rock band; they're renowned for their captivating live performances that attempt to blur the lines between reality and the ethereal. Their music, a fusion of stoner rock and doom metal, infused with psychedelic grooves, pulsates with raw energy that reverberates through every chord and riff. But it's not just their musical prowess that sets them apart; it's the way they effortlessly weave influences from the occult and folklore into their lyrics, crafting narratives that transport listeners to otherworldly realms. From ancient myths to rituals, Green Lung's music is a journey into the unknown, beckoning the curious to explore the depths of imagination. And tonight, under the veil of a rainy Monday night in Copenhagen, I'm ready to lay witness, for the first time, Green Lung live at the rock show.

Spell

Pumpehuset larger upstairs scene is the space for tonight’s performances and to warm up the crowd, Green Lung has brought along Canadian outfit Spell as the supporting artist. Hailing from Vancouver, Spell draws influence from a diverse array of musical inspirations, Spell's compositions attempt to transcend traditional boundaries, incorporating elements of esoteric mystique with an expansive soundscape. Their music echoes the enigmatic allure of Blue Öyster Cult, while also embracing the mystical dimensions reminiscent of Cocteau Twins. My initial opinion is that Spell is the type of band that doesn’t immediately captivate their listener but has a progressive appeal that will appease fans of the more complex listening experience. As the main lights dim and the spots illuminate the stage, the Canadians emerge. Immediately, singer/bassist Cam Mesmer alerts the sound tech of a lack of a monitor, delaying tonight’s performance considerably. All bands can be riddled with technical issues, so the crowd stands as patient as ever. Unfortunately, the crowd’s excitement drops like a hockey puck as the sound is horribly calibrated, the bass is way too loud and the commanding skills of guitarist Al Lester seem to drown in the sludgy soundscape. "Fatal Breath" opens the set, "Ultraviolet" follows, whilst the strong track "Opulent Decay" seems to lift the bar slightly. Synth-laden "Hades Embrace" has a distinct 80s groove which, sound problems aside, showcases some of Spell's originality with elements of indie rock, combined with a ferocious solo from Lester’s hands.

"Psychic Death" continues the 80s thematic, albeit with a more gothic approach. "Dawn Wanderer" touches in on some post-punk references. Perhaps it’s tonight’s miscalculations of sound, but I at no point enjoy the vocal performances, it all seems monotone and not well executed. The setlist tonight is cut short but we are luckily treated to "Watcher of The Seas" one of the stronger tracks from the "Tragic Magic" album, which includes a ferocious guitar solo to cap off the set. If you ask me, a somewhat odd booking to support Green Lung tonight. All in All, Spell does not impress me much tonight. Uninspired and an off night for the Canadian group.

Green Lung

At the intermission I feel a sense of uneasiness, will tonight’s sound issues also take its toll on the headliner? I keep my fingers crossed that any sound issues are taken care of. Green Lung has, after all, a strong reputation to uphold. A large black curtain now covers the stage, heightening the anticipation of the crowd. As light dims the instantly recognizable "Prequel" from their critically acclaimed latest effort "This Heathen Lands" rings through the speakers. The crowd begins to roar as the curtain drops at the strike of the heavy-set chords of fan favourite "The Forest Church". Thank goodness. The sound is potent, insistent, seamless and loud, to say the least! The set opener provides the best introduction to Green Lung's fantastic soundscape. The guitars have distinct grit and chug reminiscent of early Sabbath, coupled with the harmonic talents of singer Tom Templar and bassist Joseph Ghast. The party has officially begun. The stage is adorned with raven-like creatures flanking the stages and the centrepiece is a large wooden troll, whilst the drum set is placed slightly towards the right. Large banners of withered trees also heighten the visual appeal of the stage. Visuals aside, Tom Templar charismatically keeps your attention on the musicians with his commanding presence. Tonight’s musicians are in absolute top form. The setlist is a refreshing blend of songs from their latest release but also makes room for older tracks such as "Woodland Rites" which showcases Scott Black's ridiculous guitar chops in one of many guitar solos to come. "Mountain Throne" follows, an absolute banger of a track that sees the crowd begin to mosh. "Song of the Stones" is one of the more atmospheric performances tonight, in which Joseph leads the vocal line and percussion, all in delightful vocal harmony with Tom.

The distortion pedal is once again revved up and Green Lung catapults back into ferocity with heavy hitters such as the brooding "One For Sorrow" and "Hunters In The Sky", the latter showing Tom Templar's commendable falsetto. From the band's sophomore record "Black Harvest" we are treated to another key highlight in the form of "Reapers Scythe" which sees the moshpit reach new heights. The initial set is concluded with “Oceans of Time”, a song that is ballad-like, and anchored with blazing guitar work and a catchy chorus to boot. Perfect way to cap off the initial set. Upon returning to the stage, we get treated to fan favourite "Let The Devil In" and the Zeppelin-esque "Graveyard Sun".

What a performance. There are certain bands that are meant to be experienced live. Green Lung is among those bands that totally transcend the quality of their studio recordings when performing live. It's hard to believe that Green Lung was only formed in 2017, to me they deserve to stand in comparison to the greats of rock-n-roll such as the immortalized Deep Purple and genre-defining Black Sabbath. At least when you hear them live in the flesh! Performances like this are exactly why music lovers venture, time and again, to the rock show.

Setlist:

• 1. Prologue
• 2. The Forest Church
• 3. Maxine (Witch Queen)
• 4. Woodland Rites
• 5. Mountain Throne
• 6. Leaders of the Blind
• 7. Song of the Stones
• 8. Hunters in the Sky
• 9. One for Sorrow
• 10. The Ritual Tree
• 11. Reaper's Scythe
• 12. Old Gods
• 13. Oceans of Time

— Encore —

• 14. Let the Devil In
• 15. Graveyard Sun