Blitzkid
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Defunct | 2012 (initially) |
| Fate | Disbanded in 2012; reunited in 2020 |
| Headquarters | Bluefield , United States |
Area served | International |
Key people | TB Monstrosity, Argyle Goolsby |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Blitzkid is a horror punk group originating from Bluefield, West Virginia, United States. Recognized as a prominent figure within the horror punk genre, the band is led by vocalist and guitarist TB Monstrosity alongside singer and bassist Argyle Goolsby. Their activity spans from 1997 until 2012, with a reunion beginning in 2020. Throughout their career, Blitzkid produced five studio albums, contributed to various compilations, and performed extensively across both national and international stages.
History
Argyle Goolsby attributes his late mother’s influence for fostering his strong commitment to musical success, while TB Monstrosity aspired to elevate Blitzkid into a major act. The band was formed in early 1997, initially inspired by boredom and skateboarding culture before shifting focus toward conveying universal themes through dark and metaphorical lyrics.
Artist and filmmaker Gris Grimly commissioned Blitzkid to create the title song for his 2006 film Cannibal Flesh Riot, also providing artwork that was utilized for one of the band's T-shirt designs.
In 2006, Blitzkid delivered an impressive total of 260 live performances. By August 2007, they had appeared at Germany’s heavy metal-oriented Summer Breeze Open Air festival before an audience of approximately 40,000. That same summer, they supported influential UK punk veterans The Damned in Prague—a band that significantly shaped their sound and the horror punk movement at large.
The following year, Blitzkid took the main stage at Germany’s gothic-themed M'era Luna Festival, entertaining crowds ranging between 20,000 and 25,000 attendees. During their tenth European tour in July 2010, they played at Cologne’s alternative rock Amphi Festival, drawing audiences as large as 50,000.
In 2011, Blitzkid toured across North America alongside Face to Face (punk band), Strung Out, and the Darlings, which enhanced their standing within punk circles. Critics praised their refined blend of fast-paced pop-punk infused with metal elements and classic Misfits influences. Despite some criticism branding them as "gothy-looking mall rockers," they returned to perform at Germany’s Summer Breeze festival in August that year.
Their final European tour in 2012 included performances across Germany, the UK, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Russia—the latter marking their debut in that country. At Moscow's Relax Club, they headlined a lengthy 105-minute set. In the UK segment of the tour, they secured second billing behind Alien Sex Fiend during the Whitby Goth Weekend.
TB Monstrosity announced his exit from Blitzkid in 2011 due to family responsibilities but stayed musically active with his side project Vagora. By the end of 2012, Blitzkid officially disbanded; Goolsby embarked on a solo venture named Argyle Goolsby and the Roving Midnight, while Monstrosity launched A Gathering of None.
A documentary entitled Blitzkid: Return to the Living, directed by Jeff Frumess of Video Business Media, was publicized via an Indiegogo campaign in 2017 but was ultimately put on hold for unspecified reasons.
Following reunion tribute shows in June 2019, Blitzkid announced their Escape the Grave reunion tour scheduled for spring 2020; however, it was postponed until 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notable collaborations
Blitzkid maintains strong ties with pioneers of horror punk such as the Misfits. In 2007, Goolsby contributed bass and vocals for Gorgeous Frankenstein, a project helmed by former Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein. He managed this alongside his commitments to Blitzkid, further elevating his profile within horror punk circles. Doyle returned the favor by featuring as a guest musician on "Mr. Sardonicus" from Blitzkid's album Apparitional. Additionally, former Misfit Dr. Chud has performed drums for Blitzkid at several shows including the M'era Luna Festival. His drumming appears on both the rare Hell Nights Tour 7″ picture disc and the Anatomy of Reanimation LP. Moreover, in 2002, Goolsby played bass for The Undead, a notable horror punk outfit featuring ex-Misfit member Bobby Steele.
Musical style
Blitzkid's interpretation of horror punk is characterized by a melodic sound highlighted by powerful vocals; Allmusic praised the singing of Monstrosby and Goolsby as "instantly captivating." However, some critiques were less positive; Apoch's Metal Review pointed out issues with certain instrumental elements outside of the vocals. Another critic observed that, aside from their lyrical content, Blitzkid during the Apparitional period bore sonic similarities to punk contemporaries such as Bouncing Souls, NOFX, and AFI.
Impact
Reflecting on the band's disbandment, Zachary Ehren from the Huffington Post remarked that Blitzkid's influence would endure through their loyal global audience. Another commentator recognized the band's enduring role within the horror punk genre but suggested that their reliance on "underground methods" may have constrained wider mainstream exposure. Matt Pathetic, who organizes a horror punk festival in New Jersey, recalled Blitzkid's progression from emerging artists to consistent headliners, noting their significant impact on numerous later acts. Despite these accomplishments, frontman Argyle Goolsby remained humble, expressing a simple wish that listeners would continue to enjoy their music in the future.
Band members
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Band members
Timeline
Albums
| Year | Title | Label | Format | Additional details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Terrifying Tales | Independent | CDr | |
| 2001 | Let Flowers Die | Antidote Records | LP/CD | Debut full-length album following two prior EP releases. |
| 2003 | Trace of a Stranger | Antidote Records | LP/CD | |
| 2006 | Five Cellars Below | Fiendforce Records | LP/CD | |
| 2008 | Anatomy of Reanimation Vol 1 | Fiendforce Records | LP/CD | Contains re-recordings of earlier material. |
| 2011 | Apparitional | Century Media, EMI | LP/CD | Features Goolsby as sole lead vocalist and Nathan Bane as primary guitarist; includes guest guitar performance by Doyle Wolfgang von Frankenstein on the track "Mr. Sardonicus". |
Demos
- 1997: Songs for the Aesthetically Challenged (reissued in 2010, available exclusively as a digital download)
EPs
- 1999: Terrifying Tales (reissued in 2012 through EMI Germany)
- 1999: Revisited
- 2003: Exhuming Graves and Making Dates (split 10-inch LP shared with Mister Monster)
- 2006: Everyday Is Halloween (split 7-inch LP alongside The Spook)
- 2007: Split Personalities (split 7-inch LP with The Cryptkeeper Five)
- 2008: Hell Night's Tour 7-inch picture disc (limited edition of 66 copies; features Dr. Chud on drums)
- 2010: Fistfull of Balls Volume 1 (split release with Nim Vind)
- 2011: Head over Hills (7-inch LP)
- 2021: Ad Nauseam Memoriae
- 2024: Lycanthro-ep
Miscellaneous Releases
- 2004: Hollow Bodies (acoustic live recording)
- 2009: Studio Dead (live album distributed only as a download)
- 2009: Revisited (updated edition, downloadable only)
- 2009: Rarities (collection of rare tracks, available exclusively via digital download)
- 2021: All Hallow’s Stre’em (live album capturing the 2020 Halloween live stream)
- 2022: All Hallow’s Stre’em 2 (live album from the 2021 Halloween live stream)
- 2024: Rarities 2 (second rarities compilation, downloadable only)
Compilation Appearances
- 2003: This Is Horror Punk (track included: "Lupen Tooth")
- 2006: Horror High presents: Prom Queen Massacre (track featured: "Pretty in a Casket")
- 2006: Fiendforce Cuts Vol 1 (tracks included: "Terror (in the haunted house)", "Dementia")
- 2006: Ox-Compilation #67 (track featured: "Terror (in the haunted house)")
- 2006: Sonic Seducer – Cold Hands Seduction Vol 62 (track included: "Mary and the Storm")
- 2006: Zillo Scope Signs & Sounds New 2006/09 (track featured: "Carve out a Heart")
- 2006: Cannibal Flesh Riot (title track included)
- 2007: It Came from Trafalgar Soundtrack Volume #1 (track featured: "Demon Machine")
- 2007: Paid in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash (cover song included: "I Walk the Line")
- 2008: Get acquainted Vol 1 (tracks featured: "I'm a Zombie," "Hate you better," live version of "Ad Nauseum Memorie")
- 2010: The Sound of Horror – Volume 1 (track included: "Love Like Blood")
- 2011: Ox-Compilation #95 (track featured: "She won't stop bleeding")
- 2011: XtraX Clubtrax Vol 3 (track included: "Jane Doe #9")