Science Not Fiction Archives

Orange Goblin to Release Science, Not Fiction July 19; Preorder Available

Posted in Whathaveyou on April 5th, 2024 by JJ Koczan

After the reveal of the first single “(Not) Science Fiction” yesterday — it’s also below if you don’t feel like opening another tab; I’ll tell you up front it’s not every band that gets two posts in two days around here — Orange Goblin have followed up this morning with an announcement for the July 19 release of Science, Not Fiction, their 10th album, and the launch of preorders through Peaceville Records.

Word of the album came through their email list, and according to that, it was sent to subscribers a few hours early, so I’ve delayed posting this in an effort to not be, well, a prick about it. But I mean, if you heard the track yesterday — and if not, don’t think you’re late — then I think the turn in production style from 2018’s The Wolf Bites Back (review here) or 2014’s Back from the Abyss (review here), that sharper, more metallic edge in the sound, makes sense. They don’t come on stage to, “It’s a long way to the top if you wanna be a metal band.” They come out to classic heavy rock. What I hear in “(Not) Rocket Science,” aside from the optimism of the lyric, “We’re doing alright” — which, as a species, are we really? — is Orange Goblin‘s version of that. It’s not about going back to an earlier style, necessarily, because the point of view, sound and style is new, but about bringing a more organic-feeling side of their sound forward. I’ve only heard the one song, so can’t tell you more about the record than that, but I hear purpose there and am intrigued to find out where the rest of Science, Not Fiction goes.

The tracklisting below is the CD digipak version, which comes with a bonus track. That’s the one I ordered, so that’s what I’m using. The info below is combined from the email they sent to subscribers (that’s your hint to sign up for their mailing list), the preorder page on Merchnow, and the tour dates I think I initially grabbed from their Facebook. If it seems like a hodgepodge, that’s probably why.

I probably should’ve gotten a t-shirt bundle. Alas:

ORANGE GOBLIN – SCIENCE, NOT FICTION – JULY 19TH 2024 – PRE-ORDER NOW!

Preorder: https://orangegoblinpv.lnk.to/Science

Science, Not Fiction – the band’s 10th studio album. Recorded and produced by Mike Exeter (Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Tony Iommi) at Woodworm Studios in Oxfordshire over a few weekends at the end of 2023.

Available as:
10 Track Double 45rpm Vinyl (various colour choices)
10 Track Deluxe Digipak CD
9 Track CD
Range of merch bundle combinations available.

Originally formed in London under the name Our Haunted Kingdom back in 1995, celebrated UK metal greats Orange Goblin entered the world of heavy music as wide-eyed enthusiasts, eager to channel the fire and fury of their favourite bands. Emerging amid the exhilarating melee of the mid-‘90s stoner rock and doom explosion, Orange Goblin’s debut album ‘Frequencies From Planet Ten’ was released via underground imprint Rise Above Records in October 1997.

Since then, the quartet has shared the stage with legendary acts such as Alice Cooper, Danzig, and Heaven & Hell among numerous others on their rise to prominence. A stream of critically acclaimed and widely revered studio albums also added to Orange Goblin’s substantial legacy, from early classics like ‘Time Travelling Blues’ and ‘The Big Black’ through to more recent triumphs like 2012’s universally praised ‘A Eulogy For The Damned’ and 2018’s equally hailed ‘The Wolf Bites Back’.

Fast forward to 2021 and Orange Goblin ushered in a new era of metal chaos, signing with legendary UK metal imprint Peaceville Records, with long-standing trio Ben Ward, Joe Hoare & Chris Turner joined by new bassist Harry Armstrong for this next chapter.

The first fruits of this union manifest in new studio album ‘Science, Not Fiction’; an absorbing exploration (and exploitation) of the world as seen through the three fundamental factors; Science, Spirituality, & Religion and how they determine and affect the human condition. Commandingly articulated as ever through vocalist Ben Ward, this is backed by Orange Goblin’s unmistakably catchy and accomplished yet often deceptively intricate brand of Sabbath-ian Heavy Metal thunder.

‘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) and mastering was conducted by the esteemed Peter Hewitt-Dutton at The Bakery in LA.

This edition of ‘Science, Not Fiction’ is presented on digipack format, including the bonus track, ‘Eye of the Minotaur’, including 20 page booklet.

Tracklisting:
1. The Fire At The Centre Of The Earth Is Mine [05:19]
2. (Not) Rocket Science [04:21]
3. Ascend The Negative [05:23]
4. False Hope Diet [06:57]
5. Cemetary Rats [05:57]
6. The Fury Of A Patient Man [03:01]
7. Gemini (Twins Of Evil) [05:05]
8. The Justice Knife [04:58]
9. End Of Transmission [05:51]
Bonus Tracks
10. Eye Of The Minotaur [04:32]

Orange Goblin live:
06.04 – Cyclone (Shibuya) – Tokyo, JAPAN (w/ Church of Misery)
07.04 – Soccer Factory, Osaka, JAPAN
09.04 – Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide, AUSTRALIA
10.04 – The Basement, Canberra, AUSTRALIA
11.04 – The Zoo, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
12.04 – Crowbar, Sydney, AUSTRALIA
13.04 – The Croxton, Melbourne, AUSTRALIA
15.04 – Mothership, Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
16.04 – Rolling Stone, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
17.04 – Valhalla, Wellington, NEW ZEALAND