Review Summary: Nekrogoblins's Black Album.
Pay attention, Right Now:
The Fundamental Slimes and Humours (2022) occupies a curious — and strategic — place in Nekrogoblikon’s discography. Much like Metallica’s Black Album, it is not the band’s most extreme, most technical, or most daring release, but it may be their most deliberately accessible one: focused on straightforward songs, strong choruses, and a clearly consolidated identity. To me, this is not about softening the sound, but about organizing its power.
The Black Album analogy makes sense precisely for that reason. Simpler riffs, leaner structures, clean production, and a clear intention to reach a broader audience without completely abandoning the band’s roots. Just like Metallica in 1991, Nekrogoblikon here sounds confident enough to trim excess, trust the groove, and let the songs breathe. It’s a less chaotic and more controlled album, where each track feels designed to work on its own.
Musically, The Fundamental Slimes and Humours retains the band’s trademark heaviness but leans heavily into solid mid-tempos, obvious choruses, and less congested arrangements. Tracks like “Right Now!” and “This Is It” make that clear from the outset: direct riffs, well-defined dynamics and an immediate sense of impact.
This is also the last album to feature Nicky Calonne as the band’s vocalist, which gives the record additional historical weight. Nicky wasn’t just the band’s voice, but one of its main creative engines. His departure inevitably raises the question: to what extent will Nekrogoblikon continue to sound like Nekrogoblikon? It remains to be seen (despite the fact that I really liked Show Me Your Goblin).
A partial answer came in an unexpected — and very on-brand — way with the “promotion” of John Goblikon to official vocalist. The character was always more than a visual gag or a mascot; his constant presence became a fundamental part of the band’s identity. Turning him into the frontman is both a bold conceptual move and a genuine creative risk. At the same time, it feels like a natural continuation of the band’s universe.
OK, back to the album. The Fundamental Slimes and Humours ultimately reveals itself best through its songs, precisely because it is an album that bets on the individual strength of its tracks rather than excess or chaos.
“Right Now!” opens the album and… wow. What did I just hear? An epic song that grows from the midpoint onward? Lyrics with deeper insights? Yes. Despite the harsh vocals in the verses, there’s less weight and noticeably less speed than usual. Is this what maturity looks like? Maybe. But regardless of the label, the song is simply fantastic — possibly one of my favorites in the band’s entire discography.
Speaking of favorite Nekrogoblikon songs… I need to talk about “This Is It" Right Now (sorry, but I can’t help myself). The track starts with a keyboard and a… flute?! Did I hear that right? It doesn’t matter. Soon enough, the main, mid-paced riff kicks in, accompanied by Nicky’s dirty vocals. What a phenomenal opening. The chorus is ridiculously catchy, and the final 45 seconds are pure heaviness. Way to go, guys. This is an anthem.
“Yin” is the album’s Dressed as Goblins: furious, fast, light-speed aggression. Old-school Nekrogoblikon at its core — and yes, you can even hear an accordion in the background (It reminds us of the folk touches on Goblin Island).
“Bones” is fantastic. Okay, the first 30 seconds almost sound like Avantasia (is it heresy to say that?). But the song quickly asserts itself, and the chorus feels tailor-made to be sung at full volume live, with the entire crowd joining in.
“Golden Future” follows the same approach, but with an even stronger melodic sense. The chorus is one of the most accessible in the band’s entire career and perfectly embodies the album’s Black Album spirit: clear structure, well-defined dynamics, and enough confidence not to overcomplicate what already works.
“Supernova” begins and — wait. What is this? Muse?! Alright, one minute in and the scare is gone (just kidding, folks. I love Muse. But it’s a completely different animal). Still, the track plays with that sense of modern grandiosity before settling firmly back into Nekrogoblikon territory — even if it drags a bit near the end.
In the end, The Fundamental Slimes and Humours is an album of consolidation. It’s not the most insane, the most technical, or the heaviest — but it may be the most self-aware. Like the Black Album, it marks the moment when a band decides who it is, what it wants to sound like, and how far it wants to go. And in hindsight, it also feels like the closing of an era — the final chapter before a deep structural change in Nekrogoblikon.
I’m curious to hear what these guys are going to come up with from here on. May it be a promising future.
