Album Details

• Artist: Orange Goblin
• Album: A Eulogy For The Damned
• Label: Candlelight
• Year of Release: 2012
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: solitaryman on 2012-02-09

Orange Goblin are perennial mainstays in the worldwide metal spotlight, traditionally inclined yet brimming with the modern trappings of space-filling power and production values. A Eulogy for The Damned is their 7th studio record to date, first for ecclectic (and fitting) new home Candlelight Records, and offers up 10 journeys through the history of metal's hazy stoner underground.

"Red Tide Rising" is a big, melodic monster much in the vein of Mastodon as it conveys both a sense of mammoth power and slick and practiced hooks. It immediately lets you know that Orange Goblin have it where it counts, what a true introduction track should do. "Stand for Something" has more of an old-school swagger to it, feeling a bit like Dio-era Sabbath or maybe even Kyuss. Vocalist Ben Ward has an absolute perfect approach for this style of metal, rough around the edges but melodically sound and definitely booming. "Acid Trail" is another early highlight with swirling leads and spiraling bridges pushing the boundaries a bit. The sound clip used as an intro to "The Filthy And The Few" (an excellent tribute to stoners and misfits in general, by the way) sounds so familiar but I cannot place it's origins. But it works. As does the rest of the album, in this way or that, completely taking advantage of every second with powerful riffing, a sturdy rhythmic foundation and the aforementioned potency in the vocal department.

Without a bad track in the mix, A Eulogy For The Damned has to be considered a resounding success for Orange Goblin. What remains to be seen, however, is how popular this blend of stoner metal continues to be as the genre seems to be oversaturated with various amounts of Sabbath, Candlemass, Kyuss and Mastodon worship these days. Maybe it's always been that way though, as early innovators of a very specific sound will always draw a crowd that, in turn, sounds eerily similar to their influences. In other instances I have found fault in flaunting influence too strongly, but Orangle Goblin are above such reproach in my opinion. This record is just too damn good to be set aside as merely a trip for the nostalgics amongst us. 

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