Live Review: Green Lung - O2 Ritz, Manchester
Support: Unto Others, Satan's Satyrs
21st February 2025
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
Ignoring the smell of sweaty socks that permiated throughout the venue, there was a restless energy rippling through the crowd; anticipation thick in the air for the return of Green Lung this evening at this sold out show.
Kicking the night off are Satan’s Satyrs, and the Virginia-based purveyors of sleazy, fuzz-drenched doom ‘n’ roll wasted no time in asserting their dominance with a set that was as raw as it was electrifying.
Opening with ‘Thumper’s Theme’, the band set the tone immediately; cranked-up bass lines rumbling through the venue, chugging guitars locking into a hypnotic groove, and frontman Clayton Burgess leading the charge with a sneering vocal attack. The murky, psychedelic stomp of ‘Full Moon and Empty Veins’ followed, its sinister energy washing over the crowd like a bad trip in the best way possible.
Satan’s Satyrs sound is the perfect middle ground between biker-gang menace and horror-flick camp, and their live performance leans heavily into that aesthetic, filthy, fast, and full of attitude.
By the time they launched into ‘Quick Quiet Raid’, the band had well and truly sunk their claws into the audience. The momentum never let up through the propulsive ‘Iron Ivy’ and the eerie swagger of ‘Two Hands’, each track dripping with vintage doom charm.
As the set neared its climax, the band dug into ‘Show Me Your Skull’, a track as menacing as its title suggests, before closing with ‘Alucard’, a fittingly sinister finale that left the crowd both exhilarated and wanting more.
As the second band of the evening, Unto Others took the stage at the O2 Ritz with an air of quiet confidence. The Portland-based quartet has carved out a unique space in modern heavy music, blending gothic rock, heavy metal, and post-punk into a darkly cinematic sound. Live, they channel that atmosphere into something raw and electrifying, and tonight they delivered in full force.
Opening with ‘Butterfly’, they set the tone with a moody, driving energy, Gabriel Franco’s deep, melancholic vocals cutting through the hazy green stage lights. Immediately, the band had the audience under their spell, their blend of The Cure-esque gloom and classic heavy metal riffs creating an intoxicating contrast similar to Type-O-Negative in their heyday.
From there, they launched into the brooding ‘Momma Likes the Door Closed’ followed by ‘It Doesn't Really Matter’, which injected an almost new wave urgency into the set. ‘Jackie’ and ‘Suicide Today’ showcased the band’s ability to balance lyrical content with anthemic, stadium-ready hooks, Franco’s voice dripping with emotion, while the band’s sharp tones kept things tight and punchy.
A standout moment came with their cover of The Ramones ‘Pet Sematary’, which fit perfectly within their aesthetic, turning the punk classic into a spectral, shadowy anthem that had the crowd singing along. But if there was ever a moment that solidified Unto Others’ grip on the audience, it was ‘Give Me to the Night’, the set’s most high-energy number, sending heads banging and fists into the air.
For those unfamiliar with Unto Others before tonight, this was a revelation. For longtime fans, it was a reminder of why they are one of the most compelling and genre-defying acts in heavy music today.
As the lights dimmed and the eerie opening notes of ‘Woodland Rites’ echoed through the O2 Ritz, it was clear that Green Lung’s headline set would be something special. The London-based purveyors of folk-infused doom have steadily risen to prominence, blending Sabbathian riff worship with an unmistakable British mysticism.
From the outset, Green Lung commanded the stage with a mix of raw power and theatrical flair. ‘Mountain Throne’ with its massive, chugging riff sending the audience into a frenzy, while ‘Templar Dawn’ and ‘Leaders of the Blind’ showcased the band’s knack for weaving folklore and history into soaring, fist-pumping choruses. Tom Templar’s vocals were as commanding as ever, his voice cutting through the thick layers of keyboard and guitar with a preacher-like authority.
A defining feature of the night was the addition of The Oosettes, a female folk ensemble who elevated several songs with their haunting backing vocals, violin melodies, and tribal percussion. Their first appearance during ‘Song of the Stones’ added a spectral, almost ritualistic quality to the track, as their harmonies weaved seamlessly with the band’s weighty instrumentation.
‘Hunters in the Sky’ and ‘Maxine (Witch Queen’ ignited the crowd, their galloping rhythms and anthemic refrains drawing fists into the air. ‘Graveyard Sun’ was the perfect way to wrap up the main set, its melancholic beauty washing over the venue like the final act of some ancient pagan ritual.
Of course, the audience demanded more, and Green Lung more than delivered. The encore was nothing short of spectacular. ‘The Harrowing’ was immense, its brooding intro giving way to a crushing, doom-laden march, while ‘Old Gods’ showcased the band’s knack for writing massive, hook-laden choruses that stick in the mind long after the final note rings out. The night with ‘Let the Devil In’, before ‘One for Sorrow’ closed the show on a haunting, elegiac note, leaving the crowd in awe of the spectacle they had just witnessed.
Green Lung have long felt destined for bigger stages, and tonight’s performance only solidified that notion. With the addition of The Oosettes, they pushed their live show into new, spellbinding territory. Whilst they now disappear into the shadows to record a new album, we await with baited breath for their return.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
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