A promotional band portrait showing The band Nekrogoblikon. Captured in a centered medium group shot against a vibrant green mist background, six band members line up horizontally facing forward. In the center, John Goblikon stands in full green goblin mask and costume with long clawed hands extended directly toward the camera, flanked by band members wearing black shirts, jackets, and baseball caps illuminated by dramatic green stage lighting.
Nekrogoblikon Credit: Nekrogoblikon

When it comes to Halloween-timed concerts, metal fans can probably do no better than Nekrogoblikon.

From California on paper, the band is a kobold-channeling viral sensation that went through a big lineup change three years ago when founding vocalist Nicky Calonne stepped away.

John Goblikon and Dickie Allen have split vocals since. In an age where fans have to really dig in to draw out the differences between metal bands, Nekrogoblikon is at least sticking to its schtick to stand out, even on this 20th anniversary tour.

Tickets to see Nekrogoblikon, Aborted, Signs of the Swarm, and Party Cannon at The Ritz in Ybor City on Saturday, Oct. 24 are still available and start at $44.25.

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This article appears in Oct. 15 – 21, 2026.

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...