Goblin Island

Nekrogoblikon are something of a unique band. Combining epic, symphonic folk keyboard phrases with death metal guitar, vocals and rhythm, they carve a very distinctive sound from the first second of the album. In addition, each member of the band is undeniably skilled in their respective musical areas. From fast, technical shred passages to the occasional melodic chorus and goblinesque everything else, there isn't a single misplaced note. We can establish that Nekrogoblikon are original, skilled and creative, even without getting to the nitty-gritty. That should say good things.

"Goblin Island" includes tracks about Goblins, Space Goblins, Pirate Goblins, Goblins being better than Trolls, Goblin Christmas, Mighty Morphin' Goblin Rangers, Goblin Dancing and other areas of general interest to Goblins and their associates. The Goblinated version of the Power Rangers theme was of particular delight, and is a great example of the kind of free-spirited, somewhat-childlike-with-aspects-of-teenagerism humour that should appeal to most people. Keep in mind, this IS a death metal record, so it's not all laughs and merrymaking. There's headbanging to be done to this album. Lots of it.

Of particular interest are two particular instruments - the keyboard and guitar(s). Logic dictates that death metal guitar and folky, melodic, sometimes epic keyboards would work against eachother. Not so, at least in this case. In another backhand to the face, metal proves that it is not to be judged, at least until after it mangles your expectations. Even when playing melodically and rhythmicly unrelated (don't worry, it's still harmonically related, so it won't rape your ears) parts, they seem to form into a brilliant Goblinoid tapestry. The presence of keyboards also keeps the band from being a true "wall of noise" death metal band, so newcomers to extreme metal will probably find Nekrogoblikon quite accessible. A warning to those after exceptionally harsh death metal: there is quite a lot of melody, through instrumentalisation and vocals, to be found on this record. This band isn't a walk in the park, but they're not a stroll through hell, either.

Nekrogoblikon - delightfully funny, musically unpredictable, technically exceptional. That's two thumbs and a tentacle up from me, and that's coming from a power metal fan. Highly reccomended.