Orange Goblin are a band that really know how to start a party. After 16 years, they do not show any kind of fatigue. On the evening of one of the most hot and muggy days in Holland, it was a relief to enter the venue—which has air conditioning. The first thing I noticed was the small amount of people in the venue; surprising, for I expected the venue to be crowded. Nevertheless, it turned out to be a very personal and energetic show.

The opening band for the evening was Bliksem from Belgium. The release of their debut album Face The Evil was received well by metal fans, and so it was presented to the crowd. They are the new thrash metal sensation of Belgium, but I’ve never seen them live before, so I didn’t know what to expect.

I went in with a fresh mind and was well surprised; after an intro that emerged abruptly, the singer Peggy Meeuwsen jumped on-stage and started their first song—an immediate hammer blow. After this, the tempo of the show rammed ahead like a battle tank in full combat. Though the riffs were simple they were vivacious and the heads of the crowd banged along to the songs. The crowd weren’t bothered by the low turn out and kept on raging. The songs were a little predictable but that is altogether non-essential.

The energy blows out of this band, the drummer throwing whipping beats and blasts, while the singer bellows a raw voice (I believe created on a whiskey-based diet) that punches through heavy riffs to complete the full picture. I have to say she is not always as strong with her vocals as she should be—sometimes the vocals sit to the rear of the band, instead of being out there—but it was a hugely energetic show that really surprised me. I have to give the guitarist on the left some real credit for riffing using a bottle of beer.

Then Orange Goblin set the stage ablaze with their show. After their UK and Ireland 2013 tour in support of their latest album A Eulogy For The Damned they made heads bang in the Netherlands. The second they stepped on-stage Orange Goblin got the crowd’s attention, forcing the audience to the front to start a real party. Despite another low turn-out they showed what great shape they are still in. They didn’t let the energy drop the entire show and the crowd loved it.

Heads kept banging. The fans, slightly drunk and full of excitement shouted along with songs like ‘Red Tide Rising’ and ‘Some You Win Some You Lose’. Orange Goblin really know how to please the crowd, and the frontman Ben Ward really knows his vocals. I noticed that his voice sounds exactly the same on-stage as on the albums. This huge man towers above the masses, with the wingspan of a condor. Musically, the band complete their delivery with some nice stoner riffs after the relief of aggression.

Personally, I think the show could have been better with more of an audience, turning the venue into total chaos, as this band is known for accomplishing. Nevertheless, Orange Goblin gives you a real headbang sensation—they know how to rock a stage.

In the end, we left satisfied. It’s clear the notoriety of Orange Goblin in the UK is stronger than it may be here in Holland, but I think they’ll grow on us and we’ll gladly receive them with open arms again. With future dates in Europe, North America and Australia, they will be surfing again on the red tide that will rise.

Orange Goblin & Bliksem
ECI Cultuurfabriek Roermond, The Netherlands
June 18th, 2013
Kaat van Doremalen
Photos: Sharik Derksen

Orange Goblin – Facebook
Bliksem – Facebook