Orblivion

Orblivion
Studio album by
Released24 February 1997
RecordedMay 1996
Genre
Length72:00
LabelIsland
Producer
The Orb chronology
Orbus Terrarum
(1995)
Orblivion
(1997)
Cydonia
(2001)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic
Chicago Tribune
DownBeat
The Guardian
Muzik8/10
NME7/10
Pitchfork9.3/10
Rolling Stone
Select4/5
Spin8/10

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.

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, 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, 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".

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.