Los Angeles, CA · metal · melodic death metal · folk metal

Nekrogoblikon

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Melodic death metal about goblins, performed with a technical seriousness that makes the joke land harder — dancing goblin mascot included.

Nekrogoblikon was founded in 2006 by Nicky Calonne and Tim Lyakhovetskiy, who recorded the band's first album in a home basement before building out a full lineup. The group is based in Los Angeles, and guitarist Alex Alereza has held the longest tenure of any member as the lineup has shifted over the years.

The band plays melodic death metal built around tremolo-picked riffs, blast beats, keyboard and symphonic flourishes and harsh vocals, all delivered with genuine technical seriousness. Nearly all of the lyrics concern goblins, and the gap between the polish of the playing and the absurdity of the subject is the whole joke.

Nekrogoblikon has released five full-length albums, Goblin Island, Stench, Heavy Meta, Welcome to Bonkers and The Fundamental Slimes and Humours, alongside two EPs, Power and The Boiling Sea. Stench in particular drew praise on release for its technical proficiency and songwriting.

The band's goblin mascot, John Goblikon, first appeared in the 2012 video for "No One Survives," directed by Brandon Dermer and played by actor-comedian Dave Rispoli. The video went viral, drawing over 1.5 million views within three months, and Goblikon has since become a recurring character in the band's videos and live shows, even hosting his own podcast, Right Now with John Goblikon.

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metalmelodic death metalfolk metal