We're just gonna go out on a limb and fucking say it: Nekrogoblikon are the greatest goblin-metal band of all time.
They've cemented their place on that throne over 18 years, five albums, two EPs, covers of System of a Down and Children of Bodom, and too many totally bonkers live shows for us to count. Along the way, they've won famous fans in everyone from Dethklok co-creator Brendon Small, who directed the music video for "Dressed as Goblins," to Post Malone, who sang the band's praises on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
But with great success sometimes comes great change, and Nekrogoblikon announced a very big change indeed late last year, when they revealed that founding vocalist Nicky Calonne, a.k.a. Nicky Von Doom, had stepped away to "pursue a new life path." Furthermore, he was being replaced by not one but two new vocalists: the group's longtime mascot and hype man John Goblikon and Infant Annihilator throat-shredder and "goblin-in-human-form" Dickie Allen.
Ahead of Nekrogoblikon's high-profile opening slot on Dethklok's "Mutilation on a Spring Night" tour — which kicks off April 7th in Myrtle Beach — Revolver caught up with Allen and Goblikon to get the lowdown on their new roles as the band's dual vocalists.
Is it a duel to the death? Or a bromance made in hell? The latter we think, judging from our chat.
DICKIE, HOW DID YOU GET SELECTED FOR THE JOB? DID YOU HAVE TO AUDITION? WHAT WAS THAT PROCESS LIKE?
DICKIE ALLEN Honestly, the craziest thing happened — an owl dropped off a scroll one day saying that they needed a great warrior who can drink endless amounts of beer and lead goblins into battle, but I guess it was just joining this band.
But really, Alex [Alereza, Nekrogoblikon guitarist] and I have talked about Infant Annihilator playing 1720 in Los Angeles before and he hit me up about filling in for a tour, possibly joining the band full-time. Next thing ya know, John and I are spooning in a bunk and yelling at people together.
NEKROGOBLIKON ARE A PRETTY DIFFERENT BAND THAN INFANT ANNIHILATOR. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO BE ADOPTING YOUR VOCAL DELIVERY FOR THIS BAND?
ALLEN I've been a fan of the band for a while now and am still a fan. I wanna keep the spirit of Nekro alive and maybe add a few crazy noises here and there.
There's a reason we all love this band and I definitely don't want to try and change that. I'll leave all the ridiculous stuff to Infant Annihilator.
JOHN, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO FINALLY BE THE SINGER OF NEKROGOBLIKON AFTER BEING THE FACE OF THE BAND FOR SO MANY YEARS?
JOHN GOBLIKON It's been life-changing! I went from having to sleep in the luggage storage area underneath the tour bus while also working remote for my lame office job, to being allowed to sleep underneath the kitchen table on the tour bus while also working remote for my lame office job!
Can you say upgrade?!
WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY DOING ONSTAGE NOW THAT YOU'LL BE ONE OF THE DEDICATED SINGERS, RATHER THAN A "HYPE MAN" OF SORTS?
GOBLIKON Ever since I was a tiny little goblin I've had one dream and one dream only: to one day step foot on a stage, in front of hundreds of adoring fans, hold up a mic and say those infamous words: "When I say, 'Hey,' you say 'Ho!"… and then I would say "Hey!" And they would respond with "Ho!" Ya know? Like, how friggin' rad would that be?!
Wait, I guess that is also what defines a "hype man." Crap. Wait… maybe they're one in the same? I guess, after the hyping up the crowd I get to sing, as well. Anyway, having a goblin front and center allows the band to tap into our full potential and go full goblin mode.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HELP DICKIE FEEL LIKE PART OF THE NEKROGOBLIKON FAMILY? ANY HAZING RITUALS YOU'VE PUT HIM THROUGH?
GOBLIKON I immediately challenged him to a beer drinking duel! After day 27 had passed, I knew I had met my match... or needed to find the nearest Chili's and/or hospital.
From that point on, I knew Dickie was basically the human form of a goblin and we welcomed him with open claws.
DICKIE, WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE NEKROGOBLIKON SONG TO SING?
ALLEN There's so many fun tracks it'd be hard to pick one. I really enjoyed playing "No One Survives" and "Many Faces."
One that surprised me that I didn't listen to much but was on the setlist was "Prince of the Land of Stench." That one was a blast! Or anything that is only singing and John does all the work — I definitely look forward to those songs.
JOHN, WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE TO FANS COMING TO SEE YOU GUYS ON TOUR WITH DETHKLOK THIS SPRING? WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW ABOUT THIS NEW LINEUP?
GOBLIKON Well, it's not unlike the famed beverage of the 1990's Crystal Pepsi. It's all the things you loved about Pepsi: The taste. The way the bubbles hit your tongue. The familiar flavor that says, "Hey, this ain't a Coke."
The only difference was, it was clear. Crystal clear. Which made something good even Good-er-er!!!
Well, if that reference is too confusing, it's basically just going to be the best goblin-metal show of your life, but instead of me dancing and singing onstage without a microphone… now I will in fact be singing into a microphone.
Anyways, Revolver, while I have you, do you think you guys can put me in touch with somebody that could make me a clear microphone? Just to really help this metaphor?
