It's fantastic. They've gone from strength to strength. Their lyrics are SO focused on British history, I'm surprised they've got quite as many followers in the US as my socials imply. The music translates but the words are some DEEP cuts into the past.
An album I was highly anticipating because of how much I enjoyed the first two efforts. I was totally blown away and it even exceeded my expectations. Everything is so well crafted and played. I may not have heard a cooler moment on a track this year than the organ on Maxine (Witch Queen). A late year release that will easily force itself into my top 10 for the year.
Hi Pete, thanks for another great review, I absolutely love their other two albums so have high hopes for this one, however, based on what you have said the jury is now out although a number of SoT members are raving about it. I will go look it up on YT and give it a listen now before I purchase it.
Picked it up after seeing your review. Great record a very fun listen. There are some riffs Tony Iommy would be proud of. I don't know if it's the music, the imagery, or both, but it takes me back to the Tony Martin era Sabbath albums.
Great album. I've liked all of their stuff, but they've always hovered around being a 3.5/5 band for me. Very solid, but nothing spectacular. This album is spectacular. It is Green Lung realizing all of their potential. The album is a 4.5/5.
Excellent review, I gave it 4 out of 5 too. But the Svart reissue of Woodland Rites with the Free The Witch EP included, is still their best and heaviest work. Doom On.
Saw the early posting of the episode and ordered even before hearing it based on the last album. Then listened. Like you, not as immediately wowed as with the last album but certainly a keeper. This is going to be played a lot over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. As always, appreciate these weekly new product episodes.
As much as I love „Black Harvest“, „This Heathen Land“ is even better in my opinion. I feel like it‘s a little more versatile, and the interesting lyrical topics are the icing on the cake for me.
The new Lalu is outstanding, like the last two were. This band needs more exposure. Thanks for reviewing them! Also, after buying the new Pattern Seeking Animals (on CD, of course) I completed my collection by ordering their 1st and 3rd releases. That group (and Ted Leonard's stellar previous effort, Enchant) are stronger than Spock's Beard, I must say.
I like it. But not as much as the last album like you, Pete. I hear a clear Iron Maiden influence in this album, too. I think it will grow on me, but the last album knocked me out after one listen.
I have liked (but not loved) this band since their debut. I understand why there might be some raised eyebrows at some of the sheen and big hooks on this one, but for me it's a move in the right direction. I always felt their occult/doom was a little..tongue in cheek, or like they were trying on a costume. They did wear it well, but I wasn"t entirely sold. This new one leans even further into that, the cover art, the title/subtitle, and the prologue - and I'm fully on board. It comes down to the quality of the songwriting. There are some very memorable songs here. The way that chorus POPS on The Forest Church etc. Great stuff.
I agree that there's a tinge of Ghost peeking through (and those are actually my lesser-loved trax) but there's also more crunch in the guitars replacing some of the doomier guitars, imo.
Agree more or less completely with your review, a bit of a disappointment after Black Harvest. Saw them live yesterday, guitar work was great. Generally heavier live than the new album would suggest.
Green Lung are still my favourite 'modern' band by far and this album keeps paving that way. I think this is them going into absolute experimentation and they have described it as their 'a night at the opera' which is why it all sounds different. I agree that their last album was better but for me it's just a smidge, and while I do think that if they keep going in this direction they may lose a bit of their uniqueness, at this point it all sounds so cohesive and amazing I dont really care
I guess I'm in the minority. Kind of a disappointment for me. The last 2 records were so great. This one felt a little low energy to me. Can't really explain it, just nothing jumped out at me this time around. Not terrible but disappointing to me.
It's really good, but every time I listen to it, it seems to go by too fast... I think it needs one more track, either a really heavy rocker or a doomy epic. As it is, it feels a little unfinished, somehow.
I bought the Black Harvest album after Pete's review a couple years ago. I loved the whole album. What a masterpiece. Ordered this album as soon as I heard it was out. Unfortunately This Heathen Land just doesn't do anything for me. I'm so bummed.
Exactly the same with me. Pete mentioned black harvest, went out and bought it, loved it soo much. I heard this album was coming out. So i listened to it on Spotify before buying but sadly, it does nothing for me. I am very gutted, I did not buy it in the end, but I will keep an eye out if they do a 4th album.
