Live Review: Orange Goblin - KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
Support: Conan, Slump
9th October 2024
Words: Cat Finch
Photos: Tim Finch
On a moist evening in Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill hosted a mammoth lineup, headlined by the legendary Orange Goblin. With local stoner rockers Slump opening and doom titans Conan in support, the night promised - and delivered - a wall of sound that shook the venue and everyone in it.
Slump set the tone with their thick, groovy riffs, firmly rooting themselves in the stoner rock tradition while offering a distinct bluesy flavour. Their set was a warm-up, if such a thing can be said about their deep, rolling fuzz and hypnotic jams. Those who caught Slump were treated to a promising and energetic opening set, embodying the raw, underground spirit of West Midlands’s scene.
Next up were Conan, who dragged the room into a swirling abyss of slow, earth-shaking doom. Opening with ‘Equilibrium of Mankind’, Conan wasted no time in unleashing their signature monstrous tone. Every note felt like it weighed a ton, with the vocals echoing through the Steel Mill like a war cry. Tracks like ‘Hawk as Weapon’ and ‘Volt Thrower’ pounded relentlessly, their sludge-laden riffs vibrating the walls. The sheer density of their sound created an almost hypnotic effect, and by the time they closed with the crushing ‘Invinciblade’, the audience was well and truly submerged in Conan’s sonic assault.
Then came Orange Goblin, veterans of the British stoner rock scene, who took the stage with an unstoppable energy. Opening with ‘Cemetery Rats’ the band immediately ignited the room, and from the first riff, it was clear they were here to blow the roof off. ‘Scorpionica’ followed, a fast-paced headbanger that had the entire crowd moving.
The setlist was a perfect blend of fan favourites and a sprinkling of tracks from their latest album, showing off the band’s range. After a few stalled starts, thanks to a mis-hap with Joe's guitar set up, ‘Saruman’s Wish’ brought a mystical vibe to the night, with its heavy yet psychedelic undertones, while ‘Hot Magic, Red Planet’ showcased the band’s ability to deliver slow-burning, atmospheric grooves. Ben Ward, ever the commanding frontman, had the crowd in the palm of his hand, his gravelly voice sounding as potent as ever.
Orange Goblin hit a peak with ‘Heavy Lies the Crown’ and ‘The Fury of a Patient Man', both tracks emphasising the band’s riff-heavy, doom-tinged roots. But they weren’t done there; 'The Devil’s Whip’ and ‘Whiskey Leech’ were high-octane, punk-infused bursts of energy that kept the crowd moshing and fists pumping.
The encore, capped with ‘Quincy the Pigboy’ and ‘(Not) Rocket Science’, was a triumphant end to an already electrifying night rounded out by the anthemic ‘Red Tide Rising’ with its thunderous riffs and infectious energy.
Photo Credits: Tim Finch Photography
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