Orbital is an acclaimed English electronic music duo hailing from Otford, Kent, England, comprised of brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll. The band derives its name from the iconic M25 orbital motorway in Greater London, which played a central role in the early rave scene during the acid house era. Notably, three of their albums feature captivating cover art with stylized atomic orbitals. Orbital has achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, gaining recognition for their exceptional live improvisation during performances. Their early influences encompassed the realms of electro and punk rock.
The journey of Orbital commenced in 1989 when they recorded their breakthrough track “Chime” on their father’s 4-track tape deck. This smashing hit was initially released on DJ Jazzy M’s Oh Zone Records in December 1989, and later re-released on FFRR Records. The track rapidly rose to rave anthem status, securing the 17th spot on the UK charts and even earning them an appearance on the illustrious show Top of the Pops. During this appearance, the duo donned anti-Poll Tax T-shirts, making a statement with their music and image.
Fascinatingly, the track “Chime” was recorded in a unique setting – the confined space “under the stairs” of their parents’ house, specifically in a stair cupboard that their father had repurposed as a home office. The song made its debut at a memorable club night hosted by promoter Que Pasa at the local Sevenoaks venue, the Grasshopper, on Boxing Day. Following this significant milestone, Orbital continued to release several successful singles and EPs, culminating in the launch of their eponymous first album towards the end of 1991. The album was a compilation of tracks recorded at various times, showcasing the duo’s evolving prowess.
Building on their rising popularity, Orbital achieved a significant breakthrough with their second self-titled album in 1993. The album’s intricate arrangements and textures captivated listeners from the outset with the mesmerizing two-minute track “Time Becomes.” This track ingeniously integrated two slightly delayed, looped samples of a line from Star Trek: The Next Generation, spoken by actor Michael Dorn in the role of Lieutenant Worf: “… where time becomes a loop.” The same sample was also featured at the beginning of “the Moebius,” the opening track of their preceding album.
The clever audio pun aimed to give listeners the illusion of having purchased a mispressed album (Orbital 1 packaged as Orbital 2). The album attained commendable success, peaking at #28 on the UK album charts and staying in the chart for 15 weeks. The standout track “Halcyon” received a remix for the album, famously known as “Halcyon + On + On.” Over the years, the band has incorporated diverse samples into live renditions of this song, including elements from bands like Bon Jovi, Belinda Carlisle, and The Darkness.
The first two albums, often referred to as “The Green Album” and “The Brown Album,” owe their names to the colors of their respective covers (with a notable exception of a misprinted yellow cover for the first album). Orbital’s unique sound and artistic expressions have solidified their place as pioneers in the electronic music scene, leaving an indelible mark on music enthusiasts worldwide.