EP REVIEW: Free The Witch – Green Lung

South London’s GREEN LUNG‘s debut album Woodland Rites was released earlier this year to widely positive reviews, promptly selling out of physical copies. It’s no surprise then that Berlin-based label Kozmik Artifactz have gone to the trouble of re-releasing the band’s 2018 EP Free The Witch digitally and, for the first time, on vinyl.

A new format is not the only change for the re-release, with remastering handled by Wayne Adams and the inclusion of an additional track from the original recording sessions, When The Axe Comes Down. Artwork for the EP is also revisited, with Richard Wells‘ occult inspired sleeve design beautifully linking the EP to GREEN LUNG‘s debut full length.

Opener Lady Lucifer is a barrelling introduction to the group, headbanging riff leading into five minutes of grooving stoner metal with a crowdpleasing chorus. Title track Free The Witch brings swinging rhythms lending a folksy feel between drum fills before setting up a doom-laden outro. Living Fossil opens with a foot-stomping chunky riff that bolsters the sound, backing up the powerful vocals. 

Final track on the original release, Older Than The Hills kicks off with a psychedelic riff setting a slow pace for the closer. There are few surprises across the eight minutes of noodling verse-chorus-verse but it’s a hefty finish. Previously unreleased When The Axe Comes Down is a nice bonus for those wanting just a little bit more but is comparably forgettable. This is less a criticism than a testament to the accomplished and engaging sound throughout the EP.

With most of the vinyl release sold out on pre-order, those still looking to add a copy to their collection may yet have to wait for a repress. In the meantime, Free The Witch is available for streaming and is a must-listen for fans of Woodland Rites and stoner-inspired metal fans everywhere. 

Rating: 8/10

Free The Witch is out now via Kozmik Artifactz.

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