Dutch outfit ORPHANAGE's driving force is guitarist/vocalist Lex Vogelaaar, a former member of TARGET, and he initially recorded a trial demo with keyboard player Guus Eikens titled 'Morph', which led to the formation of ORPHANAGE. This initial recording also utilized the services of CELESTIAL SEASON vocalists Jason Kohnen and Stefan Ruiters, together with PARALYSIS drummer Stephan Van Haestregt.

As the project evolved into a permanent band ORPHANAGE added bassist Eric Hoogendoorn and vocalist Martine Van Loon, although at the time she was still fronting THE GATHERING. In 1994 this line-up recorded the demo 'Druid', a tape that also featured the talents of THE GATHERING keyboardist Frank Boeijen.

Enrolling yet another vocalist in George Oosthek, ORPHANAGE contributed two tracks to the DFSA Records compilation album 'Paradise Of The Underground' prior to the departure of Van Haestregt. A temporary replacement was found in GOREFEST's Ed Warby. Drummer Erwin Polderman was recruited in time for the debut album 'Oblivion'. Vocalist Rosan Van Der Aa was eventually replaced by Martine Van Loon.

Following the groundbreaking 1996 album 'By Time Alone' (a heady mix of Metal and Gregorian choirs) ORPHANAGE issued the 'At The Mountains Of Madness' EP co-produced by former VENGEANCE man Oscar Holleman. Touring in Europe during March of 1997 saw the band forming up a package billing alongside THERION, SENTENCED, MY DYING BRIDE and DARK for the 'Out Of The Dark III' festivals. ORPHANAGE also put in a showing at the Dynamo festival in 1997.

In 1996 both Hoogendoorn and Poldermann founded a side project SILICON HEAD together with PLEURISY guitarist Axel Becker. SILICON HEAD's debut album 'Bash' was produced by Vogelaar.

In April 2002 George Oosthoek joined PLEURISY. Following issue of the 'Driven' album, September of 2004 would see ORPHANAGE parting ways with keyboardist Lasse Dellbrügge. Ex-ORPHANAGE members George Oosterhoek and Guus Eikens featured on DELAIN's 2006 debut 'Lucidity' album, the project of ex-WITHIN TEMPTATION keyboard player Martijn Westerholt.