LUNG Open Up A Sonic Portal With Debut Album "Volume"

Go on a journey with "Volume" - out now [photo: Lung]

Some things just take their time. Self described "riff worship" LUNG are testament to that, with their debut album "Volume" taking roughly five years to come to fruition. Released in 2023, the album saw the band generate big buzz around the Cardiff doom scene, rightly identifying them as a strong force in the genre.

The opener - also the title track - sets the scene with roughly 90 seconds of pure, atmospheric fuzz. This is more 'sound' than music, focusing on laying the groundwork for the album rather than delivering anything melodic. The portal has opened, inviting listeners to the distorted and often psychedelic landscape.

Listeners are instantly plunged into the depths of "Science Cult". By stoner standards, a seven minute song is relatively short, but the track is sure to please fans of bands like Sleep and Electric Wizard. Like a winding journey, the track blends groove with atmospherics, flowing effortlessly as it moves from section to section.

The band continue to show off their sound with "Iron Bison", leaning slightly into more sinister territory - growlier vocals, chuggier riffs, and a generally fuzzier sound. And when that slower riff comes back - stank face moment for sure.

There is always the argument that stoner/doom bands end up descending into a spiral of 'same-ness', the differences between each track blurring the further in you go. This is a pitfall that Lung don't quite avoid, but they show their most variety with "The Experiment / New Worlds", sounding more sci-fi Western than stoner metal opus.

Again though, the focus on all tracks is definitely the atmosphere - building a massive sound, letting the soundscape do most of the talking. Explicit melodies and more traditional approaches have taken a backseat here, but it allows the guys to do what they do best.

Double the 'wah', double the fun [photo: Lung]

Album closer "The Saurian" (split into two parts - this is doom metal after all) showcases the band's storytelling skills at their strongest. The first part is built on swirling atmospherics, swells and rises, adding to the world building that has been on display. A robotic voice guides the listener through the track, sounding like some dystopian overseer addressing a crowd.

The swelling builds, reaches a subtle crescendo, before giving way to the second part of the track, an almost 10 minute epic that is the perfect fit to close things off. Concluding with the sound of analogue static, much like a record that's been left alone for too long, it solidifies the feeling that this is an album that deserves to played as an album, letting each track weave in and out of each other.

"The Experiment / New Worlds" [cred: Lung]

I can always appreciate a band that have put thought and effort into creating an album, where every track feels like it deserves its place in the tracklist. This is one of those albums.

It might not appeal to the masses, but this is a solid slab of doom metal, backed by a tight production and a refined craftsmanship.

"Volume" is out NOW on streaming services