Out now Science, Not Fiction, the new studio album from Orange Goblin on the Peaceville label, alongside their latest single, ‘Ascend The Negative’.
Speaking about the new single frontman and lyricist Ben Ward said, “We are delighted to present the fourthsingle from our new album, ‘Ascend The Negative’. A riff heavy exploration of the power of positive thought and changes. It’s a song about breaking old habits, breaking cycles and embracing change, forging new routines, new outlooks and new ambitions.
“As human beings we all have a relatively short existence on this tiny blue dot in the universe so we all need to make every day count. Conquer your demons, strive to be better and enjoy the ride!”
You can stream/download ‘Ascend The Negative’ here and check out the video by Marek Pugh here at RAMzine.
Newly signed to the Peaceville record label – whose other signings include Darkthrone, Autopsy and Candlemass – New album Science, Not Fiction was recorded at Woodworm Studios UK in late 2023, with production and mixing duties carried out by Grammy winning producer Mike Exeter (most notable for his work with Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Tony Iommi) and mastering conducted by Peter Hewitt-Dutton at The Bakery in LA.
From explosive death-boogie of opener ‘The Fire At The Centre Of The Earth Is Mine’ onwards, the band’s tenth album is said to crackle with energy and belligerence. Following the departure of long serving bassist Martyn Millard in 2020, Orange Goblin welcomed close friend Harry Armstrong (formerly of Hangnail) into the fray, making Science, Not Fiction his first studio outing with the band. With the new line-up fizzing with chemistry, the hard rocking likes of ‘(Not) Rocket Science’, ‘The Fury Of A Patient Man’ and ‘The Justice Knife’ breathe new life into some classic Orange Goblin tropes. Meanwhile, twisted prog-doom detours like ‘False Hope Diet’ and ‘Cemetary Rats’ take the Londoners into epic new territory, with everything from skull-shattering punk ‘n’ roll to transcendent space rock hurled into the swirling brew.
“It is a continuation of what we’ve been doing, and that’s because when we write, it’s a big mixing bowl of all of our influences and favourite artists, and we try and create the perfect band that we always wanted to hear,” Ward stated. “This album, it’s just more accomplished and mature, I guess. None of us are spring chickens anymore and we’ve got ten albums under our belts now. I feel like we’re more professional in the recording studio, I feel like we’re better musicians and writers, and now with me looking after myself, I feel like my performance is better as well. It’s all moving in the right direction.”
The band has released three previous singles from the new album, the most recent being ‘The Fire At The Centre Of The Earth Is Mine’. Ward said of it, “We are very proud to present our new single ‘The Fire At The Centre Of The Earth Is Mine’. We consider this a very typical Orange Goblin song… Uptempo, melodic and instantly catchy, with all the ingredients of classic heavy metal!
“It’s the perfect way to kickstart the new Orange Goblin album! Lyrically, it’s about how we can’t change our past, but as the rest of the world is seemingly falling apart, we all have a chance to change our future. We are very excited about adding this banger to the live set at future shows!”
You can stream/download ‘The Fire At The Centre Of The Earth Is Mine’ here and check out the new lyric video by Matt Vickerstaff here at RAMzine.
Before that was ‘Cemetary Rats’ that was accompanied by a comic book-inspired horror music video by Vickerstaff. Ward stating: “You want metal? You’ve got metal! ‘Cemetary Rats’ is an anthem for all the metalheads and rockers, the kids that society deems the weirdos and freaks! Fuck society! This is a song for everyone that likes to hang out in the graveyard, listening to metal and loving life as the underdog! This is doom, thrash and punk all rolled into one, like the mighty Black Sabbath colliding with classic era-Celtic Frost and Discharge! We are the heavy metal underground, we are the cemetary rats!” You can stream the single here and here, and check out the video here at RAMzine.
Before that was ‘(Not) Rocket Science’, described as a matter of fact observation on the human tendency to overcomplicate life – alongside a swirling animated lyric video by Vickerstaff.
Regarding that one, Ward said “It’s basically saying that life can be pretty simple and straightforward if you just stop wasting your time and make each day count. Be prepared to work hard, don’t expect any hand outs and basically enjoy yourself along the way. When Chris came up with the music, he said it needed something that could be delivered in a Bon Scott/Lemmy style and I think it came out really well”. Chris being drummer Chris Turner, the band completed by Harry Armstrong on bass and guitarist Joe Hoare. You can stream/download ‘(Not) Rocket Science’ here and check out the video right here at RAMzine.
For the last 30 years, London-based hard rock band Orange Goblin has tirelessly flown the flag for balls-out heavy metal and maximum rock ‘n’ roll. Driven by passion, persistence and heartfelt love for metal’s dark magic. While some may be content to trade on past glories, Orange Goblin view heavy metal as a lifelong pursuit.
“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,” said Ward who also commented on their forthcoming UK tour, saying: “We are very excited to announce that we will be returning to some of our favourite places in the UK and Ireland in October to take the Science, Not Fiction album on the road! We will be announcing some very special guests/friends for this soon!” adding “Come out and catch this tour, it’s not rocket science!”
ORANGE GOBLIN UK & IRELAND TOUR 2024
Friday 4th October – Opium, Dublin
Saturday 5th October – Limelight 2, Belfast
Sunday 6th October – King Tut’s, Glasgow
Tuesday 8th October – Gorilla, Manchester
Wednesday 9th October – KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
Thursday 10th October – The Fleece, Bristol
Friday 11th October – The 1865, Southampton
Saturday 12th October – The Dome, London
Science, Not Fiction features the tracks ‘The Fire At The Centre Of The Earth Is Mine’, ‘(Not) Rocket Science’, ‘Ascend The Negative’, ‘False Hope Diet’, ‘Cemetary Rats’, ‘the Fury Of A Patient Man’, ‘Gemini (Twins Of Evil)’, ‘The Justice Knife’ and ‘End Of Transmission’. A Bonus track on CD Deluxe & LP editions will be ‘Eye Of The Minotaur’, the former being presented in a digipack with a 20 page booklet. The album can be ordered here.
A limited edition gatefold 2LP green and black Marble vinyl edition available exclusively from the band and Peaceville stores, limited edition gatefold 2LP crystal clear vinyl edition, gatefold 2LP in classic black vinyl, CD Jewel case with 16 page booklet (9 tracks), and digital editions are also available, plus exclusive merchandise bundles and signed art card are available through the official band store – Eyesore Merch.
ORANGE GOBLIN UK & IRELAND TOUR 2024
Friday 4th October – Opium, Dublin
Saturday 5th October – Limelight 2, Belfast
Sunday 6th October – King Tut’s, Glasgow
Tuesday 8th October – Gorilla, Manchester
Wednesday 9th October – KK’s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
Thursday 10th October – The Fleece, Bristol
Friday 11th October – The 1865, Southampton
Saturday 12th October – The Dome, London
Tickets are on sale here.
