Nekrogoblikon @ The Waterfront
They generated a mosh pit the instant they started playing.
Nekrogoblikon. A band so self-aware they actually have a song entitled ‘We Need A Gimmick’, but hey, their name alone was enough for me to check them out tonight at The Waterfront.
Openers were local guys Saigon Kiss (although Nekro would later thank ‘Kiss Of Saigon’). Not really my cup of tea, their brand of metal was laboured and slightly awkward at times and most definitely influenced by the old school, but the kids seemed to like it.
York boys The Bastard Sons thundered onto the stage next and immediately blew me away. With a mature sound I would not have expected from a band that looked as young as they did (or perhaps it was just good lighting) their performance was fast and slick. Energetic metal with an almost southern states twang, these guys deserve to be playing bigger venues very soon. The vocals, a mix of screaming and smooth singing, were at times so effortless that I wondered if frontman JJ was miming. He was not. Their set was over far too quickly for my liking, I could have done with at least two more tracks.
As I grabbed another beer I saw a fellow beer-blogging acquaintance of mine across the room. After exchanging pleasantries he mentioned he knew the headliners. They were all going out for drinks afterwards. Did I want to tag along? The words ‘hell yes’ have never escaped my lips faster. Beer with the goblin. This had the makings of an awesome night (and therefore a crazy ass review). Nekrogoblikon entered the stage to guaranteed crowd pleaser ‘The Final Countdown’ and proceeded to generate a mosh pit the instant they started playing. The self-titled ‘Goblin Metal’ band play face-meltingly fast and heavy tunes, all with less-than-serious lyrics. Hence the goblin. Who hugged me and kissed my hand. I’ve never been so chuffed and so terrified at the same time. They sang songs about trains and David Bowie as well as their popular ‘We Need A Gimmick’. The Californian guys clearly love what they do, even in front of a half-full venue on a Wednesday night, bantering with the crowd and even getting fans on stage. Case in point, the song ‘Giraffe’ describes the band finding a dead Giraffe in space that they decide to eat. This song (finally) explained why one bearded fan had come dressed in a Giraffe onsie with a Nekro t-shirt over the top. He was pulled on stage and then played patt-a-cake with the goblin while the band thrashed out their song about friendship, space travel and dead animals.
As for my after show drinks with my new goblin pals? I bailed, knowing I had work at 7.45am the next day and trying to be sensible. Not really in the spirit of Nekrogoblikon I know, but there’s always next time.
