In the beginning, music fans didn’t know just how seriously to take the Isla Vista-based death metalers (and goblin activists) behind Nekrogoblikon, who are now at work recording their second album, Stench.
A representative from Creator-Destructor Records, however, signed the seven-piece after hearing a “preproduction” recording at a party in Sacramento, said guitarist Alex Alereza. “When they first heard us, they were interested in signing us. But [the company] just didn’t really know if we were a serious band or not,” he recalled. “He thought we might have been a novelty band, like a gimmick.” But the guys from Nekrogoblikon made it clear that they weren’t joking-at least not entirely.
The band, who made it to the finals of The Indy‘s inaugural Santa Barbara Battle of the Bands back in ’07, has been hard at work on the follow-up to their first full-length, 2007’s Goblin Island. They’ve been recording Stench since the end of December with producer Zack Ohren, who has worked with artists such as All Shall Perish. For the new album, the group expanded their subject matter. For starters, the quasi-title track “Prince of the Land of Stench” channels Jim Henson’s fantasy film Labyrinth. “Not every song on this album is about goblins,” Austin Nickel pointed out. But the songs on Stench, which the band has been writing for almost two years, still almost invariably involve mythological creatures wreaking havoc on humans. “We’ve always wanted to keep, like, the humor aspect of the band there, even though we’re obviously becoming more serious,” Alereza explained.
Despite their penchant for eccentric lyrics, the musicians behind Nekrogoblikon are serious about recording. The guitar riffs have become heavier and more technical since Goblin Island, and their approach to recording is focused on detail. “When you’re recording, you have to have everything pretty much perfect,” Nickel said.
As for the progress of the CD (which has no firm release date, but could be available this summer), the band loves the way it has turned out. “What we’ve heard of the drum tracks so far is phenomenal,” said Alereza. “It’s going to sound huge.” For songs, blog entries, and news from Nekrogoblikon, visit myspace.com/nekrogoblikon.