Nekrogoblikon

Nekrogoblikon formed in 2006 in Santa Barbara, California, by Nicky Calonne and Tim Lyakhovetskiy. The band quickly established a unique identity with their goblin-themed melodic death metal, blending technical musicianship with humorous and irreverent lyrics. Their debut album, “Goblin Island,” was self-released in 2007, laying the groundwork for their evolving sound. In 2011, they released “Stench,” an album that garnered positive reviews for its technical proficiency and songwriting, notable for its integration of electronic elements. This period also saw the development of their mascot, John Goblikon, a character initially conceived for the viral 2012 music video “No One Survives.” The video, directed by Brandon Dermer and starring Dave Rispoli as John Goblikon, significantly boosted the band’s public profile, accumulating over 1.5 million views in its first three months and leading to John Goblikon becoming a touring hypeman and a core part of the band’s identity.

Following their breakthrough with “No One Survives,” Nekrogoblikon continued to tour extensively and release new music. They released the “Power” EP in 2013, which was followed by their third full-length album, “Heavy Meta,” in 2015. “Heavy Meta” explored a concept centered around an immortal goblin race seeking death and received praise for its strong musical composition. In 2018, the band released “Welcome to Bonkers,” which continued their comedic and musical exploration. The band maintained a consistent output, including a cover of System of a Down’s “Chop Suey!” in 2020 and their sixth studio album, “The Fundamental Slimes and Humours,” in 2022. This album produced popular singles like “Right Now,” “This Is It,” and “Bones,” all accompanied by music videos directed by Brandon Dermer. In 2023, founding vocalist Nicky Calonne departed, with John Goblikon (portrayed by Grady Welch) and Dickie Allen officially stepping in as lead vocalists, marking a new phase in the band’s career.

Throughout their career, Nekrogoblikon has performed at various festivals and tours, including Download Festival in England and Rock am Ring and Rock im Park in Germany during their 2013 European tour, and the Kerrang! Tour in 2014, sharing stages with established acts like Limp Bizkit. They have also developed “Right Now with John Goblikon,” a talk show web series from 2015 to 2019 and 2021 to 2022, which transitioned into a podcast series in 2024. The band’s live shows are characterized by their high energy and John Goblikon’s interactive presence, creating an engaging experience for audiences. Their consistent touring and unique thematic approach have solidified their position in the melodic death metal genre.