The Arockalypse Review
* - Track(s) metalheads might want to look out for
** - Track(s) rock fans might want to look out for
*** - Track(s) pop fans might want to look out for
Tracks:
(1) Scg3 Special Report [3:46]
(2) Bringing Back The Balls To Rock [3:32]*
(3) The Deadite Girls Gone Wild [3:46]
(4) The Kids Who Wanna Play With The Dead [4:08]*
(5) It Snows In Hell [3:38]
(6) Whos Your Daddy? [3:38]
(7) Hard Rock Hallelujah [4:08]**
(8) They Only Come Out At Night [3:49]**
(9) The Chainsaw Buffet [3:48]
(10) Good To Be Bad [3:32]
(11) The Night Of The Loving Dead [3:09]***
(12) Supermonstars [4:04]*
Ever got tired of the likes of The Click Five, Simple Plan, and My Chemical Romance?
“Top” bands as they might be in today's mainstream music scene, avid music fans might have started noticing a disturbing trait: You are starting to dislike that previously likable song.
If that is the case, try delving into the non-mainstream for once; the experience is unforgettable to put it simply.
Lordi, a 5-piece Monster Metal band comprising of Mr. Lordi, Amen, OX, Awa, and Kita hails from Helsinki, Finland. Yes, you have read correctly, it is M-O-N-S-T-E-R M-E-T-A-L. Formed in 1996, the most salient part of Lordi's image are their elaborate monster-like costumes depicted during live shows and in music videos, and for obvious reasons, Lordi are also known as "The Finnish Monsters" and "The Monsters Of Finland”. The secret of each Lordi member's personal identities carries a heavy amount of emphasis on their agenda. They have never willingly appeared in any known form of popular media (e.g. TV, newspaper etc.) without their masks and costumes on.
Lordi first catapulted to fame in 2002 when their first single, “Would You Love A Monsterman?” (from debut album “Get Heavy”), became a smash hit. To date, they are Finland's most famous band, even representing Finland in the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest and winning it for Finland for the first time with the song “Hard Rock Hallelujah”, which also broke the world record for being the song with the most number of people singing along, live, numbering at approximately 80, 000. In fact, Mr. Lordi himself is so famous that a replica of his costume currently resides in the historical costumes section of the Turku Castle, Finland's largest surviving medieval building.
Lordi's genre is a unique one; Monster Metal describes them aptly. Their costumes are monstrous, their album themes are usually apocalyptic, their instrumentals are wild and insane (especially the guitar), and their vocalist 'sings' in a raspy, throaty voice that makes your blood curdle.
“The Arockalypse” is the 3rd studio album by Lordi, and it does not disappoint old or new fans alike. Their music is as monstrous and ferocious as their appearance, and yet it has a kind of gritty attractiveness to it. Unlike certain mainstream bands, their songs sound better and better with each new listen. It just simply leaves you with no choice but to be drawn into their monstrous fantasy.
Technique-wise, Lordi will most probably appeal to metalheads looking for a breath of fresh air. They generally combine quick and furious drumbeats with invigorating electric guitar riffs to great melodic appeal, with the throaty voice of Mr. Lordi complementing the effect as well of course. Track number 2 (Bringing Back The Balls To Rock) is a very good example, as it starts off with a huge bang, filling the first 3 seconds with seemingly uncountable drumbeats being dished out with fury. Track number 12 (Supermonstars) on the other hand, showcases the brilliance of lead guitarist Amen with the wailin' and screamin' 22-second long guitar solo in the bridge section of the song. Also, metalheads who adore the guitar instrument (yes, you Guitar Hero & Rock Band fans out there) might like Lordi on the first listen since the guitar is the most heavily-used instrument by them.
For faithful Rock and Pop fans however, don't fret, you are not ostracised.
Track number 7 (Hard Rock Hallelujah) is a catchy song with, well, Hard Rock elements in it. Rock fans might find it a little 'monstracised' though, as the vocalist's throaty voice never fails to paint that gritty image of a horrific creature in the mind.
As for Pop fans, Track number 11 (The Night Of The Loving Dead) would probably do it for you. It sounds a little on the Pop-ish side, what with the frequently repeated stanza of “... night of the loving dead...” that has a laidback tone to it, and that un-Metal sounding opening guitar riff motif.
So much for being monstrous, if anyone ever thought that being a monster is bad, this proves that it isn't! Pick up this exotic metal CD at reputable music stores such as HMV or Tower Records, you certainly will not find it being physically existent elsewhere in Singapore.
Should you somehow decide not to get this great album, just make sure Mr. Lordi isn't around at that unfortunate time. Otherwise, you might never live to see the... ...
AROCKALYPSE!!
Verdict: 4.5/5.0
RAWR! Pick up my album today.
Done by: Aloysius Boh