Lordi is a Finnish shock rock band, formed in 1992 by the band's lead singer, songwriter, artist and costume designer, Mr Lordi. The concept was birthed out of Mr Lordi’s idea of a rock band formed of monsters.
In the same vain as Sorcery, Alice Cooper, Kiss, GWAR, W.A.S.P and Twisted Sister; Lordi’s style of heavy metal fuses with horror-related elements, along with the elaborate monster costumes worn by all band members, and impressive theatrical stage performances, complete with monster style sets, and pyrotechnics which are shock rock staples. The band admitted they have been heavily influenced by shock rock pioneers, but in particular they credit KISS as being the most influential.
Their musical style is very melodic metal music, with catchy lyrics. They have written several songs that are rock anthem worthy, most notable is "Hard Rock Hallelujah", and my personal favorite “This is Heavy Metal”.
The band has gone through several line-up changes, but original members Mr Lordi and guitarist Amen have remained active with the band.
Current Band Line-Up and Characters:
Mr Lordi - vocals, the Biomechanic Man/Hulk from Hell
Amen – guitars, The Mummified Pharaoh / Ancient Assassin
Ox – bass, The Bulltaurus / "Hellbull"
Hella – keyboards, The Scarbie Doll
Mana – drums, The Minister of Sinister / Insectoman
Amen – guitars, The Mummified Pharaoh / Ancient Assassin
Ox – bass, The Bulltaurus / "Hellbull"
Hella – keyboards, The Scarbie Doll
Mana – drums, The Minister of Sinister / Insectoman
Former Members and their Characters:
G-Stealer – bass, The Alien Man-Beast (Kita also)
Magnum - bass, The Cyborg from Space
Kalma - bass, The Motorbiker Zombie
Kita – drums, The Alien Man-Beast (G-Stealer also)
Awa – keyboards, The Ghost Witch
Otus – drums, The Butcher Creature
Magnum - bass, The Cyborg from Space
Kalma - bass, The Motorbiker Zombie
Kita – drums, The Alien Man-Beast (G-Stealer also)
Awa – keyboards, The Ghost Witch
Otus – drums, The Butcher Creature
In addition to making kick ass hard rock, Mr Lordi is
also a professional makeup artist and sculptor. He not only creates the album
cover art for his band but he also designs the monster costumes and masks of
the members based on their individual characters. The characters have elaborate
back stories. All ending with Mr Lordi recruiting the monsters from across
dimensions to play in his band.
The monster costumes have been such a central part of Lordi's image that just as Kiss did in earlier pre-unmasked days, Lordi also refuses to be "Un-Masked". No photographs or even interviews without full on costumes and makeup, no matter how uncomfortable the musicians may be in them. Although they have trademark characters, for every new album, Lordi updates their costumes, which refreshes their image without losing the concept of each character's persona. Following in the footsteps of thir own shock rock idols, Lordi has went on to also star in a horror film. In 2008 they starred in the horror film, Dark Floors. Prior to Dark Floors, Lordi co-wrote and starred in their own short film in 2004, "The Kin". This short film was released in a special edition (CD/DVD set) along with "The Monsterican Dream" album. The purpose of the production was to expand the band's theatrical image. The film introduces the band members as their theatrical supernatural monster characters rather than focusing on music. Later on in 2014, an unofficial documentary was released titled, "Monsterman", which follows the leader of the band, Mr Lordi.
In addition to music and film work, Lordi has also been immortalized in a number of comics. There may be several similarities between Lordi and other shock rockers, yet they stand apart distinctively in many ways. As a lifelong metal fan, I have rarely favored foreign bands. Unless, they were part of the British invasion. Yet, I am fascinated by Lordi due to many elements of their art. In addition, having a female musician in the band who dresses like one of the living dead dolls tips the scales of how metal can one band be.
The monster costumes have been such a central part of Lordi's image that just as Kiss did in earlier pre-unmasked days, Lordi also refuses to be "Un-Masked". No photographs or even interviews without full on costumes and makeup, no matter how uncomfortable the musicians may be in them. Although they have trademark characters, for every new album, Lordi updates their costumes, which refreshes their image without losing the concept of each character's persona. Following in the footsteps of thir own shock rock idols, Lordi has went on to also star in a horror film. In 2008 they starred in the horror film, Dark Floors. Prior to Dark Floors, Lordi co-wrote and starred in their own short film in 2004, "The Kin". This short film was released in a special edition (CD/DVD set) along with "The Monsterican Dream" album. The purpose of the production was to expand the band's theatrical image. The film introduces the band members as their theatrical supernatural monster characters rather than focusing on music. Later on in 2014, an unofficial documentary was released titled, "Monsterman", which follows the leader of the band, Mr Lordi.
In addition to music and film work, Lordi has also been immortalized in a number of comics. There may be several similarities between Lordi and other shock rockers, yet they stand apart distinctively in many ways. As a lifelong metal fan, I have rarely favored foreign bands. Unless, they were part of the British invasion. Yet, I am fascinated by Lordi due to many elements of their art. In addition, having a female musician in the band who dresses like one of the living dead dolls tips the scales of how metal can one band be.
Discography of Studio Albums:
- Get
Heavy (2002)
- The Monsterican Dream (2004):
included “The Kin” DVD.
- The Arockalypse (2006): this album included guest
stars, Bruce Kulick (Kiss), Dee Snider, and Jay Jay French (Twisted
Sister).
- Deadache (2008)
- Babez for Breakfast (2010)
- To Beast or Not to Beast (2013)
- Scare Force One (2014): special edition was
released along with a comic booklet of illustrated lyrics.
- Monstereophonic (2016)
Official Lordi Website:
www.lordi.fiComing up next, check out my Cult Movie Review: Dark Floors
Lucy
Lordi Rock Video
"This is Heavy Metal"
