Orblivion

Orblivion is the fourth studio album by English electronic music group the Orb, released on 24 February 1997 by Island Records. This album marked when the group, reunited with Andy Hughes and Steve Hillage, returned to their spacey sounds typical of U.F.Orb (1992). Although Orblivion was recorded in May 1996, it was not released until almost a year later, due to Island Records' desire to promote it as a follow-up to U2's Pop.^[11]

Released24 February 1997

RecordedMay 1996

Genre

• Electronica
• IDM
• ambient house
• dub

Length72:00

Quick facts Studio album by the Orb, Released ...

Orblivion
Studio album by the Orb
Released	24 February 1997
Recorded	May 1996
Genre	Electronica IDM ambient house dub
Length	72:00
Label	Island
Producer	Alex Paterson Thomas Fehlmann
The Orb chronology
Orbus Terrarum (1995) Orblivion (1997) Cydonia (2001)

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More information Review scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
Chicago Tribune	[2]
DownBeat	[3]
The Guardian	[4]
Muzik	8/10[5]
NME	7/10[6]
Pitchfork	9.3/10[7]
Rolling Stone	[8]
Select	4/5[9]
Spin	8/10[10]

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Orblivion sold well in Europe and the United States, reaching number nineteen on the UK Albums Chart and number 174 on the US Billboard 200,^[12] while its lead single "Toxygene" became the highest-charting single by the Orb, reaching number four in the UK. However, the album received an indifferent reception from the British music press,^[13] but similarly to the case of Orbus Terrarum, it received better praise from American critics, with Rolling Stone calling it a "scintillating contrast of chaos and euphony".^[8]

To support the album, the Orb embarked on the Organic Tour with Orbital, Meat Beat Manifesto, Underworld, Zion Train, and The Chemical Brothers. The Village Voice described the Orb as "on its way down" and the stresses of touring sat heavily on member Alex Paterson, but the Orb decided not to "pack it in" and instead continued touring and producing.^[14]