ALBUM REVIEW: Science, Not Fiction – Orange Goblin
Emerging from deep within the metropolis of the Big Smoke – aka London – ORANGE GOBLIN need no introduction. Since forming in 1995 they have grown to become one of the most reliable, dedicated and passionate ambassadors for British heavy metal. Iconic, towering vocalist Ben Ward sums up the ORANGE GOBLIN philosophy best in his own words; “There’s no point in dressing it up. We’re a meat and potatoes heavy metal band. There are so many genres around these days, people have funny ideas about what heavy metal is. But to me, it’s an attitude, it’s a lifestyle, it’s not something you decide to dip into. You either are or you’re not. And it’s for life.”
With that steadfast philosophy and after nearly 30 years of pumping out solid heavy metal albums, the London veterans have returned with their tenth studio album: Science, Not Fiction. This is also the first studio album that the band have written, recorded and released with new-ish bassist Harry Armstrong – who came in after the shock departure of Martyn Millard in 2020 and has since hit the ground running. Recorded in a converted chapel in a quiet Oxfordshire village and with a more relaxed approach to recording, the London rockers were able to take their time with Science, Not Fiction, and it shows in the best way possible. Tight and cohesive throughout, and with viscerally observant lyrics delivered in Ward’s booming, gruff voice, the album captures the dystopian times that we have all been living through.
ORANGE GOBLIN have always been rooted to heavy metal in its traditional sense: the loose BLACK SABBATH riffs mingled with the ferocious tenacity that comes with blatant MOTÖRHEAD worship, alongside trippy, psychedelic jams that come from space rock – all the good stuff. Yet there is a fresh vitality and inspiration in their performance and songwriting. This is the most energised the band have sounded since 2012’s A Eulogy For The Damned. Science, Not Fiction is an evolutionary leap for the band; you can hear the fresh perspective, lack of pressure and the preparation paying off. The album feels the strongest and most substantial that ORANGE GOBLIN have ever made.
Musically, it is packed full of trademark ORANGE GOBLIN tropes but you can tell that each song has been finely tweaked, as it stands head and shoulders above the last few records the Londoners have put out. There is a newfound confidence that comes with knowing your niche, and knowing what you do well. It’s a straightforward, no frills, no faff heavy metal album that mixes the aforementioned influences with their signature bluesy grooves and psychedelic jams. Ward in particular is singing with more power, grit and confidence than he has done for a while.
The lyrics are where the album really shows its bite though. Ward doesn’t hold back on his observations at the current state of the world, with plenty of shots fired in all directions. No one is spared from the venomous tongue lashings that he unleashes throughout the album. ORANGE GOBLIN have always been an honest band and Science, Not Fiction is another brutally honest record that will have you wanting to start a revolution.
The riff fest kicks of with The Fire At The Centre Of The Earth Is Mine, a five-minute metal romper that sets the tone for the album and demonstrates why Science, Not Fiction sets itself apart from its predecessors, and lyrically the band waste no time going for the jugular. Following this is (Not) Rocket Science which is an uplifting song that unleashes a wave of positivity and hope that “We’re doin’ alright!”. Ascend The Negative opens with a beefy southern rock riff and carries on the positivity vibe by getting you to stamp out negativity in all areas whilst a dense half-time riff backs up Ward’s thunderous voice.
False Hope Diet is a bit more visceral and hard hitting, discussing the corruption around us and how propaganda is fed to us constantly through our screens. It’s an intense track that gets you thinking whilst tapping along to the bluesy riffs. Cemetery Rats goes back to the band’s doomier roots and incorporates that MOTÖRHEAD worship, while The Fury Of A Patient Man is a fast-paced, rage-fuelled anthem for the common man just trying to survive every day life. Gemini (Twins Of Evil) is a straightforward metal song of riffs, demons, devils and evil and is followed by The Justice Knife which carries on the theme but ups the ante. The album closes with End Of Transmission which nicely bookends the record by carrying on the musical themes of the opening track whilst unleashing a riff barrage of its own.
While the band have made evolutionary strides with this album in terms of songwriting process and lyrical observation, ultimately the album it is still a meat and potatoes heavy metal album that doesn’t deviate too far from the ORANGE GOBLIN template. Sometimes you just need that straight forward metal fix and Science, Not Fiction is the perfect solution.
Rating: 7/10
Science, Not Fiction is set for release on July 19th via Peaceville Records.
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