Green Lung return to Manchester with a huge sold out show at the O2 Ritz Manchester. Unto Others and Satan’s Satyrs are also on the bill.

THEE O2 RITZ

Queues, as ever for a sold out show at the great O2 Ritz Manchester, snake up Whitworth Street. Immediately, the same queue is formed at the merch desk. Now, the O2 Ritz has undergone a lot of brilliant redevelopment over the years. However, the merch desk is in a really awkward part of the venue and when the queues are around the floor, in front of the bar, and the place is full, it can be a real pain. Anyway, a rare gripe out of the way, onto business…

SATANS SATYRS

Satans Satyrs amble onstage and waste no time In ripping into their set. Aesthetically, there is a real classic 1970’s vibe  They are relentless in their delivery of each and every cut of punk infused hard rock. 

Chemistry between the band is evident when they come together and with how tight they are as a band. Erik Larson holds time on the drums as his rhythms move from furiously fast to glam inspired marches. 

The lure of Unto Others and Green Lung sees the O2 Ritz largely packed out for the duration of their set. Satan’s Satyrs will have won new fans in amongst the evenings crowds. The ovation that the band get at the end is testament to that. 

UNTO OTHERS

Portland natives. Unto Others, are a brilliant band. Their gothic blend of darkness with the chiming jangle of guitars is lush. It owes plenty to Mancunian bands like Joy Division and The Smiths. 

A few gremlins in the system blight the start of the set. They needn’t worry; Manchester is firmly onside as they join in with chants from the stage. 

Whilst there is a lighter end in the sound of Unto Others, they also evoke the spirit of Type O Negative in parts. It’s a fiendishly good mix that Unto Others have perfected; Momma Likes The Door Closed is a great example of this. The twin guitar melody of It Doesn’t Really Matter gives another little flourish of style to throw into the mix. Sebastian Silva pirouettes around the stage flamboyantly at every opportunity. 

SUICIDE TODAY

As Gabriel Franco tries to talk of the bands new record, the crowd are too loud. “Did you wanna scream some more?” he asks. Manchester obliges before Suicide Today is introduced. 

“Are you still with us Manchester?” asks Franco during Can You Hear The Rain. There is zero doubt; Manchester takes Unto Others to its collective heart. The four piece are on fire as they dish up great track after great track. 

Heroin is a decidedly heavier affair and really ticks that Type O box. They bang heads, deliver ghastly howls and execute the song with punishing precision. Shouts to the other bands on the bill are met with delight before a trip through The Ramones’ Pet Sematary. 

GIVE ME TO THE NIGHT

Give Me To The Night and Dragon, Why Do You Cry? ramp up the atmosphere further. The former has the crowd singing along in unison with people aloft on people’s shoulders. Prior to the closer, singer Gabriel Franco remarks this is a bigger room than the Star & Garter; a nod to a previous gig across town in Manchester.

As an act to follow, Unto Others set the bar high. Their energetic performance is stellar and they leave Green Lung plenty of work to do. 

GREEN LUNG

Deathly figures are unveiled, as is Green Lung’s impressive set up. It is clear that the London band are relishing bigger venues like the 1500 capacity O2 Ritz. Not 18 months ago, the group were squeezed onstage after selling out Gorilla, directly over the road from the O2 Ritz. 

Made up of Tom Templar on vocals. Scott Black on guitar, Joseph Ghast on bass, Matt Wiseman on drums and John Wright on keys, Green Lung have seen a steep upward curve in their popularity. This Heathen Land is an unequivocally great record and their back catalogue is equally good. With a solid discography to choose from, Green Lung have tunes in abundance. 

As the lights go out, the crowd are amped. Green Lung’s ever folky entrance sets the scene before the first of many a hulking tune. Opening with Woodland Rites is masterful and immediately pours fuel on the fire. Templar prowls the stage a little like Bruce Dickinson does; goading the crowd from left to right, feeling every word. One song in and the noise from all quarters is deafening. This is going to be a special night.

MOUNTAIN THRONE

Mountain Throne talks of the local-ish Pendle Hill. Johnny Wright shines on keys throwing shapes atop the huge riser next to the drummer.

“Let me see your claws Manchester!” requests Templar before the very doomy Templar Dawn. The collective headbang is a sight to see and a particularly enthusiastic crowd surfer is passed around. This is the kind of atmosphere you live for as a music fan.

Pits break out for Reapers Scythe with more people going up and over the barriers. It is absolute bedlam at times. All the band acknowledge the energy of the crowd be it through gesture or word. Oceans Of Time leads the set into a more downbeat, but no less epic section of the set.

SONG OF THE STONES

Song Of The Stones sees the band joined onstage by an acoustic guitarist, violinist and additional percussionist. They are front and centre for the more solemn piece. When Scott Black steps out of the shadows to deliver the lead guitar line, it is emphatic. The song offers a little respite from the breakneck speed the band deliver in the early throws. The crowd sing along offering up their voices as a choir. It’s moving stuff. The band seem genuinely moved by the reception. May Queen keeps the pace at a canter and the continued musical augmentation adds an extra ethereal vibe to proceedings.

Throughout the evening, the live audio mix is impeccable; Green Lung sound genuinely massive. When they step back into This Heathen Land with Forest Church, the roof is nearly breached. Hunters In The Sky is ‘a song about hunting aristocrats;’ Manchester moves vociferously. The crowd sing the chorus with gusto and Joseph Ghast’s bass is ace.

A trio of pieces from This Heathen Land is topped by the superb Maxine (Witch Queen). Naturally, it is “for all the witches in the audience.” There are plenty of folks in the crowd who have come dressed for the part. More local nods are noted in the lyrics citing Alderley Edge.

LET THE DEVIL IN

To top off the main set, Green Lung delivers a brilliantly epic Graveyard Sun. Scott Black’s solo work is wondrous. Manchester is deafening once again as the band nip off stage.

It is from the same album, 2021’s Black Harvest, that the band plunders for the start of a four song encore. The Harrowing is a haunting one to kick off. The keys dazzle and the band hit one of their proggiest veins. In Old Gods Green Lung have one of their aces.

Holding aces is what Green Lung do best. Let The Devil In is arguably their calling card. It is truly victorious on this night and a real honour to bare witness too. To top off an incredible night, a monolithic rendition of One For Sorrow leaves Manchester buzzing.

Green Lung, from London, are the finest purveyors of Olde English, black magic, forest dwelling, mushroom eating, goat mothering heavy metal. Manchester and Green Lung solidify their already firm relationship on a glorious night at the O2 Ritz’ a night where it feels like Green Lung have fully arrived. To their fans there is no doubt, but this is a step up. On the big stage, Green Lung deliver with a brilliant setlist that showcases everything that is great about this band.

If you are in mainland Europe, you have the chance to catch this tour over the next few weeks. The band will also play ArcTanGent Festival in the UK in August. All tour dates are here.

Green Lung: Website / Facebook /  Instagram

Unto Others: Website / Facebook / Instagram

Satan’s Satyrs: Bandcamp

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