Orbital

Techno-style music lovers are probably familiar with the duo of two brothers with the cosmic name Orbital. In principle, their work corresponds to the characteristic name: the same immense, alluring and bewitching.

In their work, Phil Hartnoll and Paul Hartnoll skillfully merge techno, ambient, IDM, house, resulting in incredible compositions that still cannot be attributed to any genre or period. Their tracks are timeless, out of genre, out of competition and have remained so for over thirty years.
Today, the English duo Orbital is considered one of the most significant in rave societies and electronic music in general. Since their work is not just a combination of beat and rhythm, but something deeper and more intellectual, the brothers often touch upon issues of a global nature. But it remains certain that each time they prove that electronic music can be "blissed out" without the use of drugs or any other similar substances.

Band history

Orbital formed in the late “eighties” of the last century. Their first composition was created using fairly modest instruments: drum-machine, tape recorder and synthesizer. The guys then bought a cassette at the price of 2.5 pounds and recorded their track on it called “Chime”.
Very soon, the debut single Orbital, released by Jazzy M in 1989, will enter the twenty best electronic tracks of the British radio chart, taking 17th place. “Chime” will begin to be broadcast on all radio stations and television channels in the UK and even on the popular BBC show “Top of the Pops”.
The audience will require concerts, and Orbital will not keep you waiting. In 1990, the duo will perform in one of the areas of Greater London called Islington.
Although Orbital to this day remains popular and in demand, the team still experienced two breakdowns: from 2004 to 2009 and from 2014 to 2017.

Collaborations

The frenzied popularity of Orbital in the world of techno and electronic music in the “nineties” put them on the same podium along with Massive Attack and The Chemical Brothers.
From 1991 to 1993, the duo successfully toured with the American titan of musical Olympus Richard Melville Hall, better known under the pseudonym Moby.
At the same time, Orbital collaborated with Irish composer and DJ Aphex Twin (real name Richard David James), who is a specialist in genres such as ambient, drum and bass, techno, acid.

The Hartnoll brothers also have some remixes:

1. “Oolaa” remix of Joey Beltram;
2. “Oolaa” remix of Meat Beat Manifesto;
3. “Chime” remix of Ray Keith;
4. “Speed ​​Freak” Remix Moby.

And boast of collaborative work

with the American film composer Andy Badale (Angelo Badalamenti) - 2000 single “Beached”,
singer Zola Jesus - single “New France”,
Metallica band member Kirk Hammett - “Satan”,
The track “Event Horizon” was created with the participation of composer Michael Kamen.

Structure

Orbital is a duet of two brothers. Twice the team announced the breakup, arguing by the desire of the participants to begin a solo career. But only their joint creative energy can create music that is liked by millions of people around the world.
Paul and Phil Hartnoll were born in the English county of Kent, in the city of Dartford. This locality is the birthplace of legends such as Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Who has forgotten, recall that these are members of the group The Rolling Stones.
Phil Hartnoll is an older brother with energy and courage. Before the creation of the duet, he mastered the profession of a mason.
Paul Hartnoll is the diametrical opposite of his brother in character, more calm and balanced. Previously a member of the local Noddy & the Satellites.

Discography

Over the long history of their career, Orbital has presented the world with twelve studio albums, 43 individual singles and seven collections of their works.
The brothers got into the musical component of their tracks so much that they did not think about the names of the albums at all, so many of them were named according to the colour of the cover design. For example, the first album in 1991 was marked “Green, ” and the next with a two-year release difference was “Brown”. The farewell album before its first breakup in 2004 was called “Blue”.
Many Orbital songs have become movie soundtracks. For instance:
in the movie “Spawn” the track “Satan” is used;
in the sci-fi horror film “Through the Horizon” the song “Event Horizon” is played;
the creators of the action movie “XXX” used “Technologicque Park”;
“Belfast” sounds in the comedy “Take Away!”;
the film starring Keanu Reeves “Johnny Mnemonic” used a track called “Sad But True”.