LORDI: Get Heavy (MELODIC HARD ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

What a curious bunch, these 5 Finns dressed as gore-monsters! Lordi was born in Rovaniemi from the imagination of its leader, the aptly named Mr. Lordi, a fan of US hard rock and horror films. His first job was making disguises for horror films, and it was when he met his future bandmates at a concert in Helsinki that the idea of combining his two passions took shape. And while the concept already existed with artists such as Kiss, Alice Cooper and Twisted Sister, it had rarely been taken this far, with only Gwar having succeeded in making a name for himself in this field.

So what sets Lordi apart from other bands? Quite simply, a gift for composing hard metal anthems with perfect coherence between titles, visuals and lyrics, the latter centered on the theme of monsters. Of course, we're not swimming in deep philosophical waters here, but that's not the Scandinavians' aim. Their aim is to give us a good time, full of energy, melodies and unstoppable choruses, led by the deep voice of Lordi, the true master of ceremonies.

The tracks only exceed 4 minutes on the mid-tempo "Icon Of Dominance", a slight break in the midst of the quintet's deluge of hard/heavy rock, and an opportunity for Mr. Lordi to show that he knows how to master his vocals perfectly. Apart from this track and the intro ('Sacrifice Circle Gathering') and outro ('13.'), we're dealing with a well-honed formula of formidable effectiveness, including the scathing 'Get Heavy', the catchy 'Devil Is A Loser' and the more melodic 'Would You Love A Monsterman? The fast, aggressive 'Biomechanic Man', or 'Last Kiss Goodbye' and 'Dynamite Tonight', with their 70's ambiences, are proof of this, with each chorus haunting the memory for a long time.

While it would be a shame to take Lordi at face value, it would also be a huge mistake not to take the band seriously. Indeed, the Finns seem to have found a formula that is both original and effective, and they are also excellent musicians. Even if the solos are rare, they are nonetheless perfectly executed, proving that Amen favours the effectiveness of their songs over sterile demonstrations. The keyboards played by Enary, at times deliciously kitsch, are indispensable to Lordi's identity. Finally, the rhythm section, led by Kita's playing, provides an undeniable dynamic. Although Kalma is credited on this album, it was Magnum who played the bass before leaving the band.

Lordi has thus established its visual and musical identity, opening the door to the recognition that fans of hard rock and heavy metal will surely accord it. And so much the worse for those who are stuck with disguises that will leave no one unmoved! - Official website

LORDI

GET HEAVY

BMG

MELODIC HARD ROCK