Heavy metal truly is the law—at least, that’s the case in the Year of Our Lord 2024—within the confines of the Peaceville Records headquarters.
Over nearly four decades, we’ve been blessed with numerous albums from the original “Peaceville Three” (Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, and Anathema). In recent years, the English label has issued noteworthy albums from bands like Hellripper, Autopsy, Mork, and, of course, Darkthrone. The latter of those and perhaps the most popular band on their roster, the Norwegian black metal legends, are currently in the heavy metal worship stage of their illustrious career. Their most recent album, It Beckons Us All…, is somewhat of a love letter to classic purveyors of the genre—Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Agent Steel, and so many more that I’m unquestionably forgetting.
Orange Goblin is one of a gazillion bands who graduated from the School of Iommi. If you listen to the band, you’ll hear those early Black Sabbath records in their DNA. With that said, they’re a riff-driven group, but plenty of other strengths stick out, like…well…a giant, orange goblin—notably, the vocals of Ben Ward. But, collectively, Orange Goblin is, pardon the cliché, a force to be reckoned with. On their tenth LP, Science, Not Fiction, that remains true. From their stoner rock beginnings on Frequencies from Planet Ten to the more doom-oriented The Big Black, Orange Goblin are rarely hit or miss. I’ve always found them to come close or obliterate the bullseye. If not anything, they are one of the more consistent bands in the genre. Speaking of which, it’s been six years since their last full-length, The Wolf Bites Back, but the Englishmen are conjuring up tunes that are as heavy and catchy as ever.
Catchiness is the name of the game from the get-go with tunes that sound like they’re straight from the golden age of heavy metal and rock ‘n’ roll. “The Fire at the Centre of the Earth Is Mine” is reminiscent of the doom yet catchy elements of a “Sabbra Cadabra” or something similar. You’ll, of course, hear the Iommi influence in Joe Hoare’s rhythm and lead-playing, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that Chris Turner’s work on the kit is equally as infectious with some grooving patterns that are impossible to not tap your foot to. Perhaps the hookiest moments on the album can be found on “(Not) Rocket Science” and “Ascend the Negative.” The former is classic heavy metal and rock ‘n’ roll, akin to a cross between Judas Priest and Motorhead. It features what I’d consider newly appointed bassist Harry Armstrong’s finest moments. Essentially, the song is the audio equivalent of a Harley-Davidson Super Glide, denim, and leather. Meanwhile, the latter feels more in tune with something from the early-mid ‘90s.
Throughout the album, you’ll also find the band venture off into newer territory on songs like “False Hope Diet” and “Cemetery Rats.” Both move in a more proggy-doom realm and are nicely placed on the record after the prior headbangers. Of the two, “Cemetery Rats” is probably my preferred track, blending cosmic metal vibes with punky riffage. Turner does an incredible job leading the charge here on the drums, truly capturing the essence of that classic punk rock playing style, all while keeping the definitive Orange Goblin vibe intact. “The Fury of a Patient Man,” an anthem to the working class, consists of my favorite vocal performance from Ward and is a hard rock masterclass—think a much heavier ZZ Top—which should come as no surprise, granted the band’s past tribute to the Texas trio’s “Just Got Paid.” 
In typical Orange Goblin fashion, the album rounds out strongly with the more laid-back “Gemini (Twins of Evil),” more classic heavy metal and rock influences on “The Justice Knife,” and finally, my favorite track on the album, “End of Transmission.” While there are moments throughout Science, Not Fiction where each member shines, “End of Transmission” is their collective high point. From the lead-playing to the vocal performance and pacing, Orange Goblin merges for the perfect finale.
If 2024 truly is the year for heavy metal at the Peaceville Records HQ, they’re doing one helluva job churning out quality releases. This Orange Goblin record is another feather in the cap for what’s turning out to be quite the year for the English label. If you’re a heavy metal or rock fan, you’ll have a blast blaring these new Orange Goblin tunes on the cans. Science, Not Fiction is another quintessential heavy metal album you must add to your collection.
