Nekrogoblikon San Diego fans, clear your Tuesday: the LA-based goblin metal crew headlines House of Blues San Diego on Oct. 13, 2026, with Rivers of Nihil, Cyborg Octopus and local thrashers The Provoked. It’s a stop on the band’s 20th anniversary tour, and it’s an all-ages show.
According to the Live Nation/Ticketmaster listing, doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m., with the usual fine print: “All times and supporting acts are subject to change.” Nekrogoblikon San Diego tickets are on sale now.
Nekrogoblikon San Diego return: from support act to headliner
Six months ago, Nekrogoblikon played this same room in a support slot on Hanabie’s bill on April 9, alongside Enterprise Earth, according to Knotfest. On Oct. 13 they’re back as the headliner. The Nekrogoblikon San Diego history runs deep: setlist.fm logs shows at Brick by Brick, Observatory North Park, House of Blues and the 2018 Vans Warped Tour going back to 2016.
Formed in 2006, the band plays what it calls “goblin metal,” melodic death metal with folk and comedy streaks. The viral 2012 “No One Survives” video introduced John Goblikon. Since December 2023, vocals are split between John Goblikon (clean, performed by Grady Welch) and Dickie Allen of Infant Annihilator (harsh). Lead guitarist Alex Alereza is the longest-serving member.
The anniversary run was announced in June (theprp, Consequence), and the San Diego date falls on the leg with Rivers of Nihil and Cyborg Octopus. John Goblikon summed it up for Knotfest:
“20 years of Nekrogoblikon Tour, what’s next? 21!? Drinks on me! See you filthy humans on the road.”
John Goblikon, via Knotfest
The Boiling Sea EP
The newest music is The Boiling Sea, a self-released 11-track EP out April 17: six new songs, including “Show Me Your Goblin,” “Fiend” and the Reel Big Fish collab “Secret Elephant,” plus five live versions of older songs. Jason Suecof produced and mixed it. Guitarist Alex Alereza explained the live tracks in the press release, as quoted by Consequence:
“And for the Nekro fans that have been with us for a very long time, we decided to include live recordings of five Nekro classics!”
Alex Alereza, via Consequence
Rivers of Nihil’s first San Diego show since Brick by Brick closed
Reading, Pennsylvania’s Rivers of Nihil are Brick by Brick regulars: seven of the 10 San Diego shows logged on setlist.fm were there, most recently June 8, 2025 (we previewed that run back then). The club played its last show Aug. 13, so this is the band’s first San Diego date since the room went dark.
The prog-death band is touring behind its self-titled fifth album, released May 30, 2025, on Metal Blade. Guitarist Brody Uttley’s pitch, via Metal Blade:
“I feel like these songs are the perfect blend of all our albums, with all the fat cut away.”
Brody Uttley, via Metal Blade Records
Cyborg Octopus and the sax connection
Bay Area progressive metalcore outfit Cyborg Octopus (Silent Pendulum Records) last released the 2024 album Bottom Feeder, and the band describes its new single “28 Songs Later” as “saxophonic deathcore for the undead,” per The Mosh. They last played San Diego at Brick by Brick on March 18, 2026.
The two support acts share some history. Cyborg Octopus keys and sax player Patrick Corona is listed as Rivers of Nihil’s live saxophonist and is credited with alto sax on their 2025 album. Rivers of Nihil drummer Jared Klein was also Cyborg Octopus’s live drummer from 2014 to 2016. Nobody has announced whether that means any double duty on Oct. 13.
Local thrashers The Provoked open the night
San Diego thrash and groove band The Provoked weren’t in the June tour announcement, but they’re on the current Live Nation listing. The unsigned four-piece is Adam Vito (guitars, vocals), Erick Valdez (guitars), Zach Hollinger (bass) and Ethan Ritenour (drums). Their official site streams “System Error,” “Into the Fire” and “Opposition.” Their slot gives the Nekrogoblikon San Diego stop a hometown opener, so get there at doors.
Nekrogoblikon San Diego show details
- Who: Nekrogoblikon, Rivers of Nihil, Cyborg Octopus, The Provoked
- When: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026. Doors 6 p.m., show 7 p.m., per Live Nation/Ticketmaster (subject to change)
- Where: House of Blues San Diego, 1055 5th Avenue, San Diego
- Ages: All ages. Under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or authorized adult 25 or older
- Tickets: Live Nation. A “Fast Lane Access” upgrade is sold separately and is not a concert ticket
FAQ
When and where is the Nekrogoblikon San Diego show?
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, at House of Blues San Diego. Doors 6 p.m., show 7 p.m., per the Live Nation/Ticketmaster listing (subject to change).
Is the show all ages?
Yes. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or a responsible adult 25 or older with written authorization from a parent or guardian.
Who’s on the bill?
Nekrogoblikon headline, with Rivers of Nihil, Cyborg Octopus and San Diego’s The Provoked.
