16.06.2023 Orange Goblin

Graspop Metal Meeting

Dessel (Belgium)

From the big stages, I moved back to the small Metal Dome in the early evening. Here, the four guys from the island were getting ready for their show. I had already had Orange Goblin on my list at Graspop in 2019, but back then I didn’t manage to catch their set. Today it finally worked out, and I was looking forward to 45 minutes of finest stoner metal.
The band around vocalist Ben Ward can already look back on 28 years of band history. Alongside him, guitarist Joe Hoare and drummer Chris Turner have been permanent members throughout all those years, with bassist Harry Armstrong joining them only two years ago. It’s no surprise that a lot of musical material accumulates over such a long time. No fewer than nine albums have been released so far. After a lively intro played from tape (AC/DC’s “It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ’N’ Roll)”), they began the actual set with the opener “Scorpionica” from the 2000 album “The Big Black”, in true stoner fashion. Accordingly, one didn’t have to expect big pits or crowdsurfers here. Things were rather calm and laid‑back as far as one can call it that. Heads were nodded leisurely, and occasionally manes were tossed when a bit more action arose on or in front of the stage. Orange Goblin played through their entire band history, from early tracks like “Saruman’s Wish” from the 1997 album “Frequencies From Planet Ten” to more recent songs like “Renegade” from their latest record “The Wolf Bites Back” (2018). There were basically no real highs or lows. Ward delivered his vocal parts solidly and his bandmates were right there with him. So, it was a bit of a shame when, after roughly 45 minutes, the final song “Red Tide Rising” from the 2012 album “A Eulogy For The Damned” was already announced.
A truly good performance that gave you a bit of time to wind down and recharge for the final stretch of the day. I hadn’t seen them live before and only knew them from a few YouTube videos, but live they were far better than anything on a screen. Definitely a recommendation for anyone who enjoys stoner metal.