Orange Goblin was originally formed in 1995 under the name
Our Haunted Kingdom, with original bassist Martyn Millard and fifth member Pete O'Malley on rhythm guitar. The band released a split 7-inch single,
Electric Wizard/Our Haunted Kingdom, with
Electric Wizard in 1996 on
Rise Above Records before changing their name to Orange Goblin. and have also been described as
space rock. However, starting with 2002's
Coup de Grace, they began to add
punk rock,
hard rock, and other influences to their sound. The album
Thieving from the House of God was released in 2004 and featured a cover of
ZZ Top's "Just Got Paid". Their first five releases were issued by Rise Above Records. O'Malley left the band in 2004 to pursue a career as an artist and was not replaced. Two new songs were revealed in May 2009, though the associated album was delayed until 2012. In mid-2010, the band's back catalog was reissued on Rise Above Records in
digipak form. Their long-delayed seventh album
A Eulogy for the Damned was released in February 2012. The album earned the band critical acclaim. The band then embarked on a world tour in 2013, playing 161 shows across 28 countries. In March 2013, Orange Goblin released
A Eulogy for the Fans: Orange Goblin Live 2012. The CD/DVD package included the band's complete performances at
Bloodstock Festival on 11 August 2012 and
Hellfest in France on 15 June 2012. In October 2014, the band released the studio album
Back from the Abyss through Candlelight Records. In December 2015, the band undertook a 13-date 20th anniversary tour of the United Kingdom. In December 2016, singer Ben Ward received national media coverage in the UK for setting up a
JustGiving campaign aiming to raise money for the staff of music publisher TeamRock who were laid off when the company went into administration. As part of the fundraising effort, Orange Goblin played a gig at the Black Heart in
Camden, London on 5 January 2017 with all proceeds going to the campaign. Orange Goblin's ninth studio album,
The Wolf Bites Back, was released in June 2018. In October 2020, bassist Martyn Millard announced his amicable retirement from the band; he was replaced in mid-2021 by Harry Armstrong. The band's first new album in six years,
Science, Not Fiction, was released on 19 July 2024. On 22 January 2025, the band announced their intention to split-up by the end of their 30th anniversary tour. Their final tour took place in December across the UK and Ireland, with the final show taking place on 17 December 2025 at the O2 Kentish Town Forum in
London. == Band members ==