Long-running U.K. metal band ORANGE GOBLIN to call it quits after 2025 tour dates
Tour to pass by at Into The Grave Festival, Leeuwarden
23-01-2025
U.K. metal stalwarts ORANGE GOBLIN have announced their decision to split.
The long-running London-based outfit will play all of its scheduled 2025 dates before closing the book on a three-decade-long career. Their final tour will pass by at Into The Grave Festival, Leeuwarden
ORANGE GOBLIN explained the decision to call it quits in a social media post earlier today (Wednesday, January 22). They wrote: “As ORANGE GOBLIN enters its 30th year of existence, we have made the collective decision that 2025 will be our last. Maybe not forever and who knows what could be possible further down the line.
“It’s been a wild 30 years and we have had some incredible experiences and are left with magical memories. For that we are all truly grateful.
“We started the band with no real preconception of what it eventually became, we started as bored teenagers with a mutual love of Heavy Metal, Classic Rock and Punk Rock. We feel very fortunate that we have been able to travel all over the world, numerous times, and have made a network of friends all around the globe. We are proud of everything we have accomplished together, we’ve always maintained a DIY ethic and done things our own way and on our terms. We have never compromised to fit into any specific scene and we feel we leave a very strong legacy of 10 studio albums, each one a milestone that marks exactly where we were at each point of our journey. Of this, we are fiercely proud.
“It’s not been an easy decision for any of us, we have all given 30 years of our lives to this incredible band, but we feel that now is the right time for us to focus our attention on our families and other interests outside the band. We will of course be honouring all the shows and festivals we currently have planned for 2025, as well as a few other things that we have in the pipeline, but these could be your last chance to catch ORANGE GOBLIN live!
“We would like to express our gratitude to every single person that has made this possible for us, there are far too many to name personally, but especially to our wives and children that have supported us no matter what, our former band mates, Martyn and Pete, the current and former road crew that have kept the show on the road for so long, despite us never making things easy for them. But last and by no means least, we thank you, the ORANGE GOBLIN fans that have been the bedrock of everything for us. Nothing we have done would’ve been possible without the fans that have bought the albums, the merchandise, the show tickets and ALWAYS showed us and made us feel just how appreciated we are. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.”
Last year ORANGE GOBLIN released their latest studio album ‘Science, Not Fiction’ on 19th July, ‘Science, Not Fiction’ was the band’s first release on the iconic Peaceville label (Darkthrone, Autopsy, Candlemass). The band have shared their new single “(Not) Rocket Science” – a matter of fact observation on the human tendency to over-complicate life – alongside a swirling animated lyric video by Matthew Vickerstaff.
Watch “(Not) Rocket Science” below.
Speaking on the track, frontman and lyricist Ben Ward says “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”.
Stream / download (Not) Rocket Science – AT THIS LOCATION.
‘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 the esteemed Peter Hewitt-Dutton at The Bakery in LA.
From the explosive death-boogie of opener “The Fire At The Centre Of The Earth Is Mine” onwards, the band’s tenth album crackles with energy and belligerence. Following the departure of long serving bassist Martyn Millard in 2020, Orange Goblin welcomed close friend Harry Armstrong (formerly 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,” Ben states. “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.”
For the last 30 years, Orange Goblin, London-based hard rock lifers, have 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, Orange Goblin have always been a vital force and a risk-free bet. But while some may be content to trade on past glories, Orange Goblin view heavy metal as a lifelong pursuit. In 2024, they open a new chapter in their heroic saga, marking it with the release of their tenth studio album: ‘Science, Not Fiction’
“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.”
Ben Ward, Orange Goblin
Orange Goblin – Science, Not Fiction tracklist
- 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
- End Of Transmission
Bonus track on CD Deluxe & LP
- Eye Of The Minotaur
Science, Not Fiction will be released on 19th July on the following formats Pre-orders are available here.
- CD Deluxe with Bonus track presented in a digipack with a 20 page booklet
- Limited Edition Gatefold 2LP Green and Black Marble vinyl edition available exclusively from the band & 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)
- Digitally
Orange Goblin are:
Ben Ward – vocals
Joe Hoare – guitar
Chris Turner – drums
Harry Armstrong – bass
Social media