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Video Interview: Tom Templar & Scott Black of Green Lung on Black Harvest, Bloodstock & More

green lung (Photo by Andy Ford)

Given the unenviable task of crafting a follow-up to their 2019 debut, Woodland Rites (review here), Green Lung have gone big. Continuing their collaboration with producer Wayne Adams, the band has surged forward in their awareness of who they want to be as a band. Guitarist Scott Black, still reeling from the band’s performance on the Sophie Lancaster Stage at the massive Bloodstock Festival in the UK, describes it as going from Brian May meets Black Sabbath to ‘evil-Boston.’ Vocalist Tom Templar describes their second LP as their autumnal album, part perhaps of an informal quadrilogy already in progress.

Both are right. Black Harvest (review here) has both arena-ready hooks and a vibe like cool evening air coming through the window, light tinted an orange that’s just impossible any other time of the year. Tracks like lead singles “Leaders of the Blind” and “Reaper’s Scythe” green lung tour datesbalance their own massive intention with organic roots and countryside-folkloric themes. In songwriting and performance, Black Harvest is the to-date apotheosis of the work they’ve done since their outset, but don’t skip the “to-date” in that, because while they may be hitting their stride in terms of craft — doubly impressive as their usual dudes-in-a-room process was upended by pandemic lockdown; they might think of passing files back and forth as a supplement to the rehearsal space going forward, as it clearly worked this time — they still also sound like a band growing into themselves. And yes, that is a compliment. They brim with potential even as they realize it on Black Harvest.

Already confirmed for Desertfest London 2022 — and so help me gawd, if it happens, I will be there to see it. — and coming off of the packed-house gig at BloodstockGreen Lung will head out on two short UK tours beginning next month to herald the arrival of Black Harvest. The second is set for early next year, but the first begins Sept. 1 with a hometown London show that’s also being livestreamed. More information on that is here. From there, the group completed by bassist Joseph Ghast, drummer Matt Wiseman and organist/keyboardist John Wright make their way north into Scotland before looping back down through Bristol. They’ll be out again in February, circumstances permitting, and one assumes the discussions for future plans are already underway, even as they’ve already begun putting together material for their next LP. Some trains you don’t stop.

It is an exciting time and they are an exciting band, and I very much appreciated the chance to talk with Templar and Black about what they do.

Enjoy:

Green Lung, Black Harvest Interview with Scott Black & Tom Templar, Aug. 17, 2021

Green Lung release Black Harvest through Svart Records on Oct. 22. More info and preorders, etc., at the links.

Green Lung, Black Harvest (2021)

Green Lung on Facebook

Green Lung on Instagram

Green Lung website

Green Lung on Bandcamp

Svart Records website

Svart Records on Facebook

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