Live Review: Nekrogoblikon w/Aether Realm & Cage Fight at Camden Underworld!

A sold out show anywhere is a thing if beauty but at the iconic Camden Underworld it feels extra special. Not only is tonight sold out but so has the vast majority of this European tour trek, such is the appeal of Californian Melodic Death Masters Nekrogoblikon. Having joined a line skirting the block of the venue to get into the venue, which always feels pretty strange with Worlds End punters at the large pub above watching on through the windows, there is a gig going rarity. Inside the venue the queue for merch is just as long as it was to get in, going completely around the famous rectangular bar that serves on two sides…

Having witnessed them in the main stage at the 10th Anniversary of Tech-Fest earlier this summer, it feels surreal to witness Cage Fight [10/10] opening the show tonight. They’re given just half an hour to demonstrate their prowess but they are by no means a lightweight on this bill or here to make up the numbers. Rachel Aspe is as fierce and vicious a vocalist as they come and gives the bands 90s inspired Metal and Hardcore sound a serious heavyweight punch. Barely pausing for breath between the songs, Cage Fight enjoy a wealth of mosh pit action, hand claps and raised horns, getting an ovation when they leave the stage. Guitarist James Monteith hasn’t been part of this run due to other commitments and so bassist Will Horsman has switched to guitars as he has previously with Stefan Whiting of Polar as a fill in on bass. However it becomes apparent early on that Monteith is in the crowd tonight watching his band play, which must be a surreal experience. He disappears and re materialises at the side of the stage bringing the band beers before joining them for a dual axe welding finale that is “Love Castrated” for the final night of the tour. A special moment. Earlier, the band paid tribute to the late Trevor Strnad of The Black Dahlia Murder, urging anyone who needs help to reach out, before playing a rip roaring rendition of the song he gave them guest vocals for “Eating Me Alive“. It feels like it can’t be long until they share a follow up to their self titled album…

After the set from Cage Fight, we know tonights other bands are going to be kept honest and need to be at the top of their game not to be outdone and Aether Realm [9/10] don’t disappoint, delivering set that couldn’t be described as anything but majestic. The North Carolina quartet blend Melodic Death Metal with Progressive Thrash and Folk Metal elements, lead guitarist Heinrich Yoshio giving away one of his influences by wearing an old Obscura t-shirt. They open with “Redneck Vikings From Hell“, a classic that feels like a Pantera pun before a mighty rendition of “Slave To The Riff” turns the crowd feral. “Guardian” is a huge festival sized sing-a-long and particularly poignant after the words of Cage Fight, while the intertwining dual soloing is jaw droppingly good. Aaron “Raptor” Minich joins for a guest vocal later on while a circle pit around the venues infamous pillars is inevitable. To close, the band play a cut down rendition of the usual 19 minute magnum opus that is “The Moon, The Sun, The Star“, a track we’d love to witness in full at some point because it’s nothing short of masterful. Between sets TV theme songs like Ducktails and Team America keep the crowd entertained…

It’s been four years since we last witnessed the insanity of Nekrogoblikon [10/10], the Americans headlining this very venue having towed Harbinger across Europe on was effectively their “Compelled to Suffer” album release tour. Tonight the Californian Melodic Death Metal are given a heroes welcome for what is not only the final date of the “The Goblin Mode Tour” but the bands final show of 2023. The assumption is that this one brings to an end “The Fundamental Slimes And Humours” tour cycle and the band will be writing and recording an new record. However there are a few questions as vocalist Nicky “Scorpion” Calonne, who was supposed to only be stepping down from touring duties for personal reasons for the US which took place in May and June remains absent. In his place Dickie Allen of Infant Annihilator and Project: Vengeance fame handles the bands unclean vocal parts with a combination of John Goblikon and keyboard player Aaron “Raptor” Minich handling the cleans. The trio work phenomenally well together, ripping through “Right Now”, “Dressed As Goblins” and “No One Survives” while around them the World descends into chaos with stage diving and crowd surfacing causing security to work over time. Being a sold out show it’s as hot as hell in the pit and the band take a few well timed breaks for their trademark whitty banter which ensures no one passes out. Allen makes a foreskin joke before the band tear into “The Skin Thief” like a pack of rabbid wolves. Chants of “Goblin tits!” are hilarious before “Prince of the Land of Stench” gets a well deserved airing. The simple fact is that Nekrogoblikon are really good fun and a fine set of love musicians who should be on bigger stages than this. What the future holds may remain in question but it has to be said this run with Dickie Allen has been a triumph.