All the way from the California, Nekrogoblikon brought the carnage to Milton Keynes on 17th September, alongside Grief Thief, Party Canon, and Allegaeon. What better way to spend a school night than to throw around beach balls with a dancing and singing goblin?

We get a warm welcome into the set, with John Goblikon and Dickie Allen taking front and centre stage. “Darkness” is the first song of the night, and it’s a strong one - setting the scene, alongside a massive inflatable goblin head.
The beach balls come in, and get tossed around the crowd. At some point we’re also joined by a dolphin pool float, which sees a horrific flattened end later on.

Dobbie Danny DeVito, I mean John Goblikon, darts around the stage, giving the occasional middle finger and mouthing along to Dickie’s guttural screams. The fantasy hype man really gets the crowd going between his own parts, which are incredibly executed. There’s true power and talent behind all the make up, and it elevates the music. It’s also nice to see a band having fun with what they do, and run around with a smile sprawled across their faces.
”You haven’t even broken a sweat” Joseph Daniel Nelson says to Mr Goblikon.
”No, I don’t break anything…ever! Except hearts.”
The band then announce their next song “Bones”. This is a truly powerful rock track. It’s got an old feel to it, and it’s fun.

The band then pose a question to the room, which is packed front to back, “is this Wolverton or Milton Keynes?” Everyone just says “yes” or “both”, while laughing.
”Wilvertonkeynes?” John Goblikon suggests, bringing more laughs and smiles to the local crowd.
After giving up with the name, he asks for “the biggest circle pit you’ve seen in the middle of this fucking room.” The 200-cap space obeys.

Dancing with his middle fingers up, and giving the occasional sultry air lick, Mr Goblikon is definitely the band’s mascot and bringer of laughs, and he does a good job of it. People are already adorning their staple green beanies from the merch stand, with flappy goblin ear attachments. It’s a sweaty affair.
Guitarist Alex Alereza is adorning a pink guitar, and a t-shirt with "Brat" sprawled across it in matching pink “death metal band logo” font. Nothing about this band is too serious, and it adds so much to their branding and performance. After asking for another mosh pit, the band blew the power. The lights are dimmed, as they try to fix their inflatable goblin head. They take it well and roll with it.
”This is the second time we’ve blown the power on this tour".” John Goblikon states, continuing to entertain the audience while they sort out their equipment.
With everything fixed after a few minutes, they launch straight back into the carnage. Dickie Allen brings more raw fury into the set with his intense vocals, supported by his green friend.
The crowd chant "drink drink drink", as Goblikon chugs from his green Stanley cup, another hilarious detail that we appreciate. Some jokes are made about David Beckham. "Now he's bending over LA" which erupts a jokey “boo”. As it’s the 10 year anniversary of album “Heavy Meta”, they play a few songs to commemorate.

After, no doubt, much anticipation, the band then play their latest track "Don't Forget Your Goblin", and the crowd erupts. John Goblikon starts flossing on a podium, and the pit breaks out on que. People are throwing their hands up in an atmospheric applause, and the room really connects with the band on this one.
Also on the set list is classic track "No one survives", and “Powerchord”, which the crowd loves. More pits, more sweat, and more cheers.

Live, the band certainly have a mix of black metal, power metal, metal core, and heavy rock all thrown into their cauldron. It works in a way you didn’t think was possible. They have tonnes of energy that floods the audience. Whether you’re an OG fan or fresh in their realm, you’re guaranteed to have a great time.

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