Orange Goblin

Orange Goblin
Orange Goblin at Hellfest 2018
Orange Goblin at Hellfest 2018
Background information
Also known asOur Haunted Kingdom (1995–1996)
OriginLondon, England
GenresStoner metal,[1] heavy metal
Years active1995–present
LabelsRise Above, The Music Cartel, Sanctuary, Candlelight, Man's Ruin, Mayan, Eccentric Man
MembersBen Ward
Joe Hoare
Chris Turner
Harry Armstrong
Past membersPete O'Malley
Martyn Millard
Websiteorangegoblinofficial.com

Orange Goblin are an English heavy metal band from London. Formed in 1995, the band's lineup currently consists of singer Ben Ward, guitarist Joe Hoare, drummer Chris Turner, and bassist Harry Armstrong. Their most recent album Science, Not Fiction was released in July 2024.

History

[edit]

Orange Goblin was originally formed in 1995 under the name Our Haunted Kingdom, with original bassist Martyn Millard and fifth member Pete O'Malley on rhythm guitar.[2] The band released a split 7-inch single, Electric Wizard/Our Haunted Kingdom, with Electric Wizard in 1996 on Rise Above Records before changing their name to Orange Goblin.[2] The first three studio albums under the name Orange Goblin—Frequencies from Planet Ten (1997), Time Travelling Blues (1998) and The Big Black (2000)—were in the stoner metal and doom metal genres,[3] and have also been described as space rock.[4] However, starting with 2002's Coup de Grace, they began to add punk rock, hard rock, and other influences to their sound.[5] The album Thieving from the House of God was released in 2004 and featured a cover of ZZ Top's "Just Got Paid".[6]

Their first five releases were issued by Rise Above Records. O'Malley left the band in 2004 to pursue a career as an artist and was not replaced.[6] Their 2007 album Healing Through Fire was released on Mayan/Sanctuary Records. In 2008, the band announced that they had signed with Candlelight Records.[7] Two new songs were revealed in May 2009, though the associated album was delayed until 2012.[8]

In mid-2010, the band's back catalog was reissued on Rise Above Records in digipak form.[9] Their long-delayed seventh album A Eulogy for the Damned was released in February 2012.[10] The album earned the band critical acclaim.[11][12] The band then embarked on a world tour in 2013, playing 161 shows across 28 countries.[13]

In March 2013, Orange Goblin released A Eulogy for the Fans: Orange Goblin Live 2012. The CD/DVD package included the band's complete performances at Bloodstock Festival on 11 August 2012 and Hellfest in France on 15 June 2012.[14] In October 2014, the band released the studio album Back from the Abyss through Candlelight Records.[15]

In December 2015, the band undertook a 13-date 20th anniversary tour of the United Kingdom.[16] In December 2016, singer Ben Ward received national media coverage in the UK for setting up a JustGiving campaign aiming to raise money for the staff of music publisher TeamRock who were laid off when the company went into administration.[17][18][19][20] As part of the fundraising effort, Orange Goblin played a gig at the Black Heart in Camden, London on 5 January 2017 with all proceeds going to the campaign.[21]

Orange Goblin's ninth studio album, The Wolf Bites Back, was released in June 2018.[22] In October 2020, bassist Martyn Millard announced his amicable retirement from the band;[23] he was replaced in mid-2021 by Harry Armstrong.[24] The band's first new album in six years, Science, Not Fiction, was released on July 19, 2024.[25]

Band members

[edit]
Ben Ward at the Woodstock Festival Poland 2017

Current lineup

  • Ben Ward – vocals (1995–present)
  • Joe Hoare – guitars (1995–present)
  • Chris Turner – drums (1995–present)
  • Harry Armstrong – bass (2021–present)

Former members

  • Pete O'Malley – guitars (1995–2004)
  • Martyn Millard – bass (1995–2020)

Session musicians

  • Duncan Gibbs – keyboards on Frequencies from Planet Ten
  • Jason Graham – keyboards on Healing Through Fire

Timeline

Discography

[edit]
Studio albums
Live albums
  • A Eulogy for the Fans (2013)
  • Rough & Ready, Live & Loud (2020)
EPs
Singles
  • "Some You Win, Some You Lose" (2004)
Compilation appearances
  • "Saruman's Wish" on Dark Passages II (1996)
  • "Aquatic Fanatic" on Stoned Revolution – The Ultimate Trip (1998)
  • "Quincy the Pig Boy" on Rise 13 (1999)
  • "Black Shapes of Doom" on Bastards Will Pay: Tribute to Trouble (1999)
  • "No Law" on High Volume (2004)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Dome, Malcolm (16 October 2016). "10 Essential Stoner Rock Albums". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on 8 March 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  2. ^ a b Wilson, MacKenzie. "Orange Goblin Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  3. ^ Van horn Jr., Ray (21 November 2014). "Orange Goblin: Back from the Abyss". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  4. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo (25 May 2018). "11 Great Space Rock + Metal Albums You Need To Know". Loudwire. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  5. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Orange Goblin: Coup de Grace". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  6. ^ a b Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Orange Goblin: Thieving from the House of God". AllMusic. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  7. ^ Orange Goblin Sign With Candlelight Records Archived 2 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "ORANGE GOBLIN: First New Songtitles Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 6 May 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  9. ^ "Rise Above Records: Orange Goblin". Rise Above Records. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  10. ^ "Orange Goblin Reveals New Album Release Date, Announces U.K. Shows". Metal Underground. 26 October 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  11. ^ Alisoglu, Scott (4 March 2012). "Orange Goblin: A Eulogy for the Damned". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  12. ^ "Orange Goblin, A Eulogy for the Damned: 2012's First Highlight is Set to Drink You Under the Table". The Obelisk. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  13. ^ McIntyre, Ken (3 November 2014). "Orange Goblin: Lock, Stock, the Fucking Lot". Louder. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  14. ^ "ORANGE GOBLIN: 'A Eulogy For the Fans – Orange Goblin Live 2012' CD/DVD Trailer". Blabbermouth.net. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  15. ^ Dome, Malcolm (21 August 2014). "Our First Impressions of the New Orange Goblin Album". Louder. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  16. ^ Munro, Scott (28 April 2015). "Orange Goblin Tour to Mark 20th Anniversary". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  17. ^ "Orange Goblin Frontman Sets Up JustGiving Campaign for Team Rock". The Guardian. 20 December 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  18. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (21 December 2016). "Orange Goblin Frontman Launches JustGiving Campaign for Team Rock Staff Made Redundant before Christmas". The Independent. Archived from the original on 24 May 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  19. ^ Ackerman, Naomi (23 December 2016). "Orange Goblin Singer Raises £66,000 for Metal Hammer and Classic Rock Journalists after Redundancies". Evening Standard. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  20. ^ "Rock Fans Rraise £78,000 in Five Days for Team Rock Staff". BBC News. 24 December 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  21. ^ Rosenberg, Axl (23 December 2016). "Orange Goblin Announce Benefit Show for Team Rock (Metal Hammer) Staff". MetalSucks.net. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  22. ^ Munro, Scott (1 June 2018). "Orange Goblin Unleash The Wolf Bites Back". Classic Rock. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  23. ^ Millard, Martyn (29 October 2020). "Orange Goblin Bassist Martyn Millard Announces His Departure From The Band". BraveWords. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  24. ^ Kennelty, Greg (25 June 2021). "ORANGE GOBLIN Parts Ways With Founding Bassist". Metal Injection. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  25. ^ Lewry, Fraser (7 April 2024). "Orange Goblin announce first album in six years, confirmed as headliners of new UK rock festival". Classic Rock. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
[edit]