The Pitch: Hilarious but highly talented California band Nekrogoblikon return with more humorous and difficult to classify music through Seek and Strike.
What I Like: At first I was a little skeptical about Nekrogoblikon. Sometimes masked groups can be more gimmick than actual talent. But when it comes down to it, these guys are a creative force to be reckoned with. Welcome to Bonkers is perhaps best described as Nintendocore meets Finntroll meets Andrew WK. You've got the technical and stylistically varied musicianship, upbeat retro electronics, off-the-wall vocal performances, fantastical imagery, and just a general panache when it comes to energy and performance. This is a band that bucks convention and is utterly shameless in layering on the cheese where it counts.
I should probably begin with vocalist and keyboard player Nicky Calonne; a full grown man who sings about goblins and has an actor portray one on stage. Nothing really shocking here as someone who came up on groups like Slipknot, but it is interesting to have only one costumed character in the midst of a promo shot with otherwise normal looking dudes. But enough about image; this guy can really belt it out. From the very first track, "Mold," we get a sense of his range. Nicky delivers a really infectious staccato harsh style that loosely reminded me of Archspire mixed with Cradle Of Filth, as well as purposefully goofy clean vocals about dragons, magic spiders, and of course, goblins. He really does feel like Andrew WK in a rubber mask.
Now that's all well and good for drawing attention, but a charismatic frontman alone a good band does not make. Fortunately, Nekrogoblikon also has plenty to offer in terms of instrumentation. This album traverses a wider range of styles and influences than most festivals. I hear elements of melodeath, carnival, 80's pop, hair metal, Nintendocore, baroque ("The Skin Thief"), bluegrass, folk metal, and god help me Caribean music. Seriously, you need to hear "The Magic Spider" to believe it. It sounds like something out of a Dr. Rockzo heavy episode of Metalocalypse.
And as silly as the content can get, it never overshadows the technical proficiency of these musicians. The album is positively brimming with ripping solos and clever songwriting. Certain moments even had me feeling Igorrr meets Devin Townsend while "Killing Time" has a synth solo straight out of Children of Bodom. Even when things get "cormy," it's corny in the same fun way that makes us all sing along with "Don't Stop Believing."
Critiques: For all of it's creativity, there are some lulls here and there. Nicky's delivery can be a little hit and miss as well, occasionally drifting into "mildly annoying" territory. Mostly, you need to go into this record with the right mindset to appreciate it. Those lacking a sense of humor will be turned off.
The Verdict: Welcome to Bonkers is definitely not for everyone, but if you get pumped to "Party Hard" and can open your heart to goblin role play, do yourself a favor and get to know Nekrogoblikon. Not only will you rock out profusely; you may find yourself impressed with the songwriting as well.
Flight's Fav's: The Many Faces of Dr Hubert Malbec, The Skin Thief, Killing Time
-Review by FlightOfIcarus
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