Orange Goblin - Science, Not Fiction review
Band: | Orange Goblin |
Album: | Science, Not Fiction |
Style: | Stoner metal |
Release date: | July 19, 2024 |
Guest review by: | Cynic Metalhead |
01. The Fire At The Centre Of The Earth Is Mine
02. (Not) Rocket Science
03. Ascend The Negative
04. False Hope Diet
05. Cemetery Rats
06. The Fury Of A Patient Man
07. Gemini (Twins Of Evil)
08. The Justice Knife
09. End Of Transmission
In an era drowning in the chaos of disinformation, a rare voice of reason emerging from the heart of London feels almost anthemic. Enter british-borne heavy rock/stoner metal quartet, Orange Goblin, who light the way with their tenth full-length album, Science, Not Fiction.
I have to go a decade back to when I was first struck by the enthralling release Healing Through Fire and couldn't look away; rather, I moved back to earlier Orange Goblin albums, on the cusp of hearing the origin of the sound. I was awestruck to see how the band formerly known as Our Haunted Kingdom was known for their grizzled authenticity and inexorable sense of purpose; the band unleashed fuzzed-out stoner metal albums that fused revivification with raw energy. Wearing their leather-clad legacy proudly, this album is a dynamic return to their pub-and-stage ready doom rock n’ roll style, delivered with a memorable slew of songs from their oaken mind palace.
The album kicks off with a brash reassembly of their signature sound in the opening Sabbath-grooved anthem “The Fire At The Centre Of The Earth Is Mine" and the piano-tapping "(Not) Rocket Science", reminiscent of the band's 90s vintage sound. With tracks like “Cemetery Rats” and “The Fury Of A Patient Man”, it back channels a punkish vitality that was last heard on Coup De Grace. These highlights, alongside a broader exploration of riff-driven storytelling, form the backbone of Science, Not Fiction. However, at a length of roughly 55 minutes (bonus track included), this album occasionally overstays its welcome, particularly in its later tracks like “The Justice Knife” and “End Of Transmission”, as I think it had made its point by the 40-minute mark.
For long-time fans, at best Science, Not Fiction can be seen through the lens of The Wolf Bites Back. While the two albums differ in tone, the latter leans into a more reverent, songcraft-focused approach, while the latest effort feels like a spiritual counterpoint, diggin' deeper into the band’s ol' glory for bigger riffs and a more outspoken edge. A standout addition to Science, Not Fiction is new bassist Harry Armstrong (ex-Decomposed), whose contributions add a fresh layer of grit and power. His loud bass guitar tone is felt from the opener, setting the stage with foreshadowing riffs, and continues to impress in moments like adding a psychedelic growl in “Cemetery Rats”.
Ultimately, Science, Not Fiction is a bold and above-average addition to their discography. While not every track is a knockout, the album as a whole projects some great inner workings of Orange Goblin, pushing boundaries just enough to keep things fresh while staying true to their core. It has proven once again why they have remained a staple of the stoner metal scene for nearly three decades.
Rating breakdown
Performance: | 8 |
Songwriting: | 8 |
Originality: | 7 |
Production: | 8 |
Written by Cynic Metalhead | 24.01.2025
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
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