And if you were there to witness the reaction when the band took the stage, I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say the warm reception the London four-piece received was reciprocated with a barn-burning setlist of classic and contemporary Goblin.
Due to the shocking Dublin traffic, by the time I arrived at the venue, the mighty Conan were saying their farewells to the rapturous audience, and by all accounts, played a blinder!
Shortly after 8.40pm, before a now packed venue, Ben Ward and co took to the stage and launched straight into ‘Cemetery Rats‘, as the amped-up crowd lapped up every morsel of the bands energy.
Wasting no time in establishing his presence, Ward’s towering figure loomed over the crowd, mic in hand, as his signature gravelly vocals tore through the speakers with belters, ‘Sauraman’s Wish‘, ‘The Fury of a Patient Man‘, and ‘Snail Hook‘ (to name but a few).
Thankfully, tonight the venue’s acoustics did the band justice, with a clear, powerful, and loud mix throughout, allowing every riff and drumbeat to hit like a sledgehammer to the chest.
With fists in the air and heads banging in unison with bassist, Harry Armstrong you could feel the floor shake with the weight of it all, and the energy in the room was contagious. What a way to kick off the weekend!
The new material was met with a solid reception falling in seamlessly into the set alongside the band’s older classics. It was a real testament to how Orange Goblin have maintained their relevance over the years, while still evolving. ‘Science Not Fiction’ may be their freshest offering, but it still carries that unmistakable swagger, grit, and raw power that has always defined them.
Closing the night with ‘Red Tide Rising‘, an unmistakeable fan-favourite, had the whole room chanting along until the final chords rang out, and the band bid their farewells.
For a band that’s been doing this for nearly three decades, Orange Goblin still have it. If anything, they’re getting better with age — tighter, heavier, and more electrifying than ever. Dublin had indeed been treated to an unforgettable night of heavy riffs, roaring vocals, and top-tier Goblin showmanship.
As people spilled out into the streets after the show, there was one thing on everyone’s lips: “That was epic”, and I couldn’t agree more.
If you’ve not had the chance to hear their latest album ‘Science, Not Fiction‘, I urge you to delve into it at your convenience.
Zero bullshit, just great people making great music. 4/5
Oran O’Beirne
www.overdrive.ie 2024
