Orange Goblin /  Grand Magus /  Urne – live gallery and review from Button Factory Dublin 11.12.2025

The Button Factory was packed wall-to-wall for an emotional, high-octane send-off as UK heavy metal stalwarts Orange Goblin brought their final ever tour, the End of Transmission 1995-2025 Tour, to Dublin. The sold-out show was a celebration of 30 years of riff-worshipping, doom-laced stoner metal, and judging by the sheer energy in the room, the band is not bowing out quietly.

Orange Goblin ensured their final run was a showcase of metal excellence, bringing along two powerful bands that perfectly set the stage for the headliners.

Opening the evening was the British trio Urne, delivering a masterclass in modern metal. They hit the crowd with a powerful, dynamic sound that fuses groove, thrash, and technical metal elements. Their set was a journey through subtle, atmospheric soundscapes that would suddenly detonate into aggressive, head-banging ferocity. They are a band Orange Goblin personally championed, and it’s easy to see why, their tight musicianship and commanding stage presence proved why they are one of the most exciting heavy acts to emerge in the last decade.

Next up, the crowd was treated to the Swedish power trio Grand Magus. Led by the commanding presence and epic vocals of Janne “JB” Christoffersson, they brought a dose of classic heavy metal majesty. Their traditional metal anthems, blending doom, stoner, and power metal influences, were met with an enthusiastic response. Tracks like “Iron Will” and “Hammer of the North” were met with raised fists and powerful singalongs, cementing their status as a formidable live act and a perfect bridge to the main event.

When Orange Goblin finally took the stage, the atmosphere became absolutely electric. Stepping out to a deafening roar, frontman Ben Ward, a true giant of the genre, wasted no time in leading the charge.

The band delivered a career-spanning setlist, pulling from their extensive back catalogue, including fan favourites and newer material like tracks from their latest album, Science, Not Fiction. The sound in the Button Factory was immense: clear, powerful, and thick with the sludge-and-speed mix that defines the Goblin sound. Every searing riff from Joe Hoare and the monstrous, rumbling bass lines from Harry Armstrong were palpable, shaking the floor beneath the collective stomp of the crowd.

Ward was in his element, his gravelly voice sounding as powerful as ever. He was engaging and genuinely appreciative, acknowledging the three decades of support from the Irish fans. The emotional weight of the “End of Transmission” tour was certainly present, yet it only seemed to fuel a more ferocious, celebratory performance. By the time the band got to their last song “Scorpionica,” then the subsequent encore of “Quincy the Pigboy,” and the inevitable closer “Red Tide Rising” the venue had turned into a joyous maelstrom of circle pits and pure rock ‘n’ roll abandon…sprinkled with absolute chaos.

Speaking of which, I left the stage after shooting and me and my camera unwittingly walked straight into the middle of said pit…leaving me as vulnerable as a new born lamb in a raptor pen. To the guy who saw me get almost sucked into the vortex and pulled me out just in time, you sir, are a hero. 

This wasn’t just a gig; it was a momentous occasion. Orange Goblin proved once and for all that they remain at the absolute top of their game. They are retiring not because they’ve lost their fire, but seemingly to go out on the highest possible note. For everyone there, it was an unforgettable night of loud, proud, and uncompromising heavy metal.

 Grand Magus photos:

Orange Goblin photos & set-list:

Set-list:
Solarisphere
Saruman’s Wish
Some You Win,Some You Lose
Ascend the Negative
Your World Will Hate This
Cozmo Bozo
The Devil’s Whip
Round Up the Horses
Into The Arms Of Morpheus
Acid Trial
Aquatic Fanatic
Into the Void (Black Sabbath cover)
Time Travelling Blues
Scorpionica
____________________________________
Quincy the Pigboy
Red Tide Rising

Photos & Words – David McEneaney @experimentzero