Review Summary: Proving the band are more than monster suits, this album contains brilliant songs and showcases the band much better than Eurovision could.
Lordi are something of an odd band. Indeed, any serious metal band wouldn't be seen dead on Eurovision, nor would many people be seen dead in monster suits as they are. The fact that they work in a bank and you can hardly walk around Finland without seeing some evidence of them makes them all the more odd. However, behind the gimmicks lie some really rather good songs, harking back to but not just regurgitating the like of Kiss and Alice Cooper.
To be honest, the album really doesn't start that well. The 'Theatrical Trailer,' is overlong and not as good as the band probably think it is. Bring it On meahnwhile seems to suggest that this band are indeed a gimmick, as the song is average at best and opportunistic whichever way you look at it. Nothing really stands out in it as being worthy of much note.
Third time lucky though. Bloodred Sandman is a beast of a tune, with a great riff, subversively catchy chorus and one of the coolest drum fill/modulation moments in rock. The lyrics too are wittily irreverant, providing some grim humour to the song. The video shows that the band aren't taking themselves too seriously (thank god), but at the same time know they have to write good tunes. My Heaven is Your Hell too is excellent. It's the first of the 'love songs' on the album, and the thing that really stands out in this is the keyboard playing and sound. It adds a perfect sheen to the heavy guitar sound and Mr Lordi's growled vocals, and carries the instrumental melodies allowing the guitar to play some rather clever riffs beneath it.
Would You Love a Monsterman and the Devil is a Loser are both completely inspired pieces of absolute chaos. The Devil is a Loser in particular is a furiously driving tune, with its excellent riff and completely insane lyrics ('the devil is a loser and he's my bitch,') making it one of the highlights of the album. Monsterman meahnwhile is actually pretty emotional coming from 5 people in monster suits, and its catchy chorus is pretty inspired. It is probably worthy of note that the harmonies in all of the songs are superb. The choral effect used in Monsterman and Bloodred Sandman in particular give the songs a much fuller sound, and perfectly counterpoint the aforementioned growling vocals.
From here on in it's pretty solid fare. The last six are let down slightly by 'Wake the Snake,' which uses the same trademarks as the previous songs, but just doesn't work. Forsaken Fashion Dolls too doesn't quite click, but remains a good song. Both are Forgive though by lostening to Shotgun Divorce, my favourite song on the album. Brilliant interplay between keyboard and guitar (the riff in this is a perfect example of what lordi do best,) whilst the chorus is likely to wriggle under your skin without you noticing. The lyrics somehow avoid focussing on the admittedly aweful pun in the title, and remain pretty wry and clever, something of a trend in the good songs of the album.
The final track 'Rock the Hell Out of You' is worthy of a mention also as it just throws all the rules out the window and turns into a superb blues metal influenced stomp. Whilst not a spectacular song, it closes the album with a great sense of fun and keeps the bands 'integrity' intact.
Lordi are not just a gimmick, and don't be put off by the image as there are some really good songs, with a couple contending to be classics. I advise anyone to buy this cd, forget who the band are and skip the first coule of tracks. I promise you'll be in for a surprisingly good listen.
