Lordi hails from Rovaniemi, Finland. They are a theatrical heavy metal band, bringing forth the legacy given by bands such as KISS, Alice Cooper, W.A.S.P. and Twisted Sister. Kiss in particular are their inspirational source, as several members are tooted in the Finnish KISS Army. Lordi (also the stage name for their front man, and vocalist) started up, more as a one man show/project, in 1992. In 1996 they became a real band, but their debut album didn't see the light of day until 1999. Their first single, "Would You Love A Monsterman?", got them a hit in their native Finland, ang the 2002 album 'Get Heavy' won over select metal fans in Europe. But their big international break came about by winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006, becoming the first heavy metal act to do so.

GET HEAVY (2002) BMG

I heard about Lordi when this debut album was out. But for whatever reason, it wasn't until they won the Eurovision Song Contest that I started to buy their albums. And what is better than to start at the beginning? 'Get Heavy' gave the band a flying start indeed. No other classic metal acts were doing the theatrical stuff any longer (except the cover band that still insist calling themselves Kiss, that is). So when Mr. Lordi and crew showed up in their self made horror costumes, and played metal reminiscent of the masters of this genre, they just had to turn some heads. If you, like me, are a fan of bands such as KISS, Alice Cooper, Twisted Sister and W.A.S.P., chances are that you will love this band too. I also have to throw in a solid chunk of Accept here, because they do sound a lot like those classic Germans too. So even though some critics have tried to box Lordi in with Slipknot, make no mistake about it, Lordi represents the classic 80's metal sound and style. The music is fun and catchy, with lots of hooks and memorable choruses. And that is what heavy metal was all about in it's glory days!

Killer tracks: Get Heavy, Rock The Hell Outta You, Would You Love A Monsterman?, Icon Of Dominance

THE AROCKALYPSE (2006) SONY/BMG

More fun and metal from our favorite hard rocking monsters! 'The Arockalypse' was released just after Lordi won the Finnish Eurovision contest (with the song "Hard Rock Hallelujah"), but before they won the European final. After that the album sold like warm bread, and spawned Lordi's career to new heights. They are hailed as superstars in Finland, and their home town even initiated an annual Lordi day in their honor!!! It is sort of weird that this GWAR-looking, 80's metal sounding band have managed to reach that far because of a frowned upon song contest. But hey, who am I to complain? I love this kind of music!! Lordi are all about bringing a show to the people. And although they aren't exactly the most technical players out there, they more then make up for it in writing memorable songs, with plenty of hooks, and sing-along choruses. 'The Arockalypse' is their 3rd album, and it is chock filled with headbanging metal, similar to what we remember from their heroes in Kiss, Twisted Sister and Accept. So what is more appropriate then to bring in some help from some of their heroes? Dee Snider and Jay Jay French from Twisted Sister, Bruce Kulick (ex-Kiss) and Udo Dirkschneider (U.D.O., ex-Accept) all guest on different tracks. The music is first and foremost fun (just take a look at the song titles), and I for one think that is the bands strength. There are way too many acts out there that take themselves way too seriously.

Killer tracks: Bringing Back The Balls To Rock, The Kids Who Wanna Play With The Dead, It Snows In Hell, Who's Your Daddy?, Hard Rock Hallelujah, They Only Come Out At Night, The Chainsaw Buffét, The Night Of The Loving Dead

DEADACHE (2008) SONY/BMG

Lordi is of course riding on the wind of success, so here is another album for the hordes of fans to enjoy. The formula is the same; horror influenced lyrics and stage personas, mixed with melodic heavy metal from the 80's. And why change a winning formula? I'm not sure why though, but I find 'Deadache' to be a little less heavy. It might be the overall production that does it. It is more scaled down, and a tad softer. I've read that the band considered this to be their heaviest effort yet, so it might be something wrong with my ears. With song titles such as "Girls Go Chopping", "Dr. Sin Is In" and "Raise Hell In Heaven" there is no doubt that this is still the Lordi we all know and love though. They wear their influences proudly on their sleeves. The songs are catchy, and easy to remember, and just about everyone of them could have been used as a single. "Bite It Like A Bulldog" became the first single from the album. And as of writing this the title track has been released as a single too. 'Deadache' is a strong album, but it lacks those over-the-top songs that sticks out from the rest. That could either mean that all of the songs are as strong as the rest, or it can mean that all of the songs are just a tad weaker than on previous efforts. So this will not become a personal favorite, but I still enjoy listening to it nonetheless.

Killer tracks: Monsters Keep Me Company, Dr. Sin Is In, The Ghosts Of The Heceta Head