5.) Nekrogoblikon
As the standard-bearers for goblin metal – think melodic death with a goblin – Nekrogoblikon made a key vault this weekend from cult-favorite club-level wrecking crew into a rising star with the biggest crowd we saw at Heavy Montreal’s tiny Foret stage (French for “forest”). With hundreds of fans spilling out from under the side stage’s canopy, Nekrogoblikon capitalized on a golden opportunity and delivered a whip-tight performance that took advantage of the stage with the most consistently great sound of the whole festival. By the end, the crowd was so large it nearly blocked exits to other portions of the park. “Thank you for the best show we’ve ever done,” singer Nicholas Von Doom told the audience after closing with “Powercore.” Even though we’re pretty well-versed in the ways of the goblin (as shown by our Keep Calm and Nekrogoblikon shirts), we’d have to agree.

Photo: Nekrogoblikon’s Instagram