Orange Goblin

Orange Goblin is an English heavy metal band from London, formed in 1995. The band operates in stoner rock, stoner metal, doom metal, heavy metal and hard rock, and it begins under the name Our Haunted Kingdom before adopting its current name.

Formation and line-up

The original line-up includes bassist Martyn Millard and rhythm guitarist Pete O’Malley. The band later includes singer Ben Ward, guitarist Joe Hoare and drummer Chris Turner, with Harry Armstrong on bass after Millard retires from the band. O’Malley leaves in 2004 and is not replaced.

Albums and style

Orange Goblin’s first three studio albums as Orange Goblin are Frequencies from Planet Ten (1997), Time Travelling Blues (1998) and The Big Black (2000). These records are mainly stoner metal and doom metal releases, and they are also described as space rock. From Coup de Grace in 2002, the band adds punk rock, hard rock and other influences. Thieving from the House of God (2004) includes a cover of ZZ Top’s “Just Got Paid”.

Record labels and later releases

The first five Orange Goblin releases come out on Rise Above Records. Healing Through Fire is released in 2007 on Mayan/Sanctuary Records, and the band signs to Candlelight Records in 2008. Its back catalogue is reissued by Rise Above Records in digipak format in 2010. A Eulogy for the Damned follows in 2012, and in 2013 the band issues A Eulogy for the Fans: Orange Goblin Live 2012, a CD/DVD set drawn from performances at Bloodstock Festival and Hellfest. Back from the Abyss appears in 2014 through Candlelight Records, The Wolf Bites Back in 2018, and Science, Not Fiction in 2024.

Live activity and later years

The band tours widely after A Eulogy for the Damned, including a world tour in 2013 with 161 shows across 28 countries. It marks its 20th anniversary with a 13-date UK tour in 2015. Ben Ward also draws media attention in 2016 for organising a fundraising campaign for staff laid off from TeamRock, and the band plays a benefit gig in 2017 in support of the campaign. Orange Goblin announces in 2025 that it intends to disband by the end of its 30th anniversary tour.