Review ORANGE GOBLIN “Science, Not Fiction”

Ending a six-year wait, British rock veterans Orange Goblin are releasing a new album with “Science, Not Fiction.” It was in 2018 when the guys launched “The Wolf Bites Back” and after signing a deal with Peaceville Records, the four-piece from London has recorded ten new songs, creating the tracklist for the latest album.

And not only is it a new label that is releasing the new Orange Goblin album, the band also has a new bassist in Harry Armstrong, who along with longtime drummer Chris Turner provides a very solid heartbeat for each of the stoner rock gems that shine on “Science, Not Fiction”.

Orange Goblin placed songs on this album that all come with a solid length. The opener, for example, clocks in at over 5 minutes and is a grooving anthem that reflects what fans can anticipate from this release. The stoner roots are present right away, but the term would be too narrow when it comes to describing what the album has to offer.

The guys take a broader approach to music, and “Cemetary Rats” is one of those frame-busting moments. There is a dark and gloomy vibe that drives the song, especially in the beginning. After a while, Orange Goblin shift gears and “Cemetary Rats” transforms into a massive, metalized song with a robust dose of rock embedded.

A bit of punk rock is the fuel for “The Fury of a Patient Man”, always imbued with the spirit of rock that is also the underlying foundation for “(Not) Rocket Science”. It is this dirt-under-the-fingernails approach that makes “Science, Not Fiction” a roaring rock album with an authentic expression. And there is a lot of variety that comes with this release, as the band knows how to broaden their musical scope without losing the connection to their roots.

“Science, Not Fiction” is a thunderous hard rock album. The sun-tanned vibe is the extra spice that makes this longplayer a great and mesmerizing experience that you want to listen to more than just once.