Lordi - The Arockalypse
Posted by Guest Writer on Tue, 24 Mar 2009.
Mr. Lordi (Tomi Petteri Putaansuu) - Vocals
Amen the Unstoppable Mummy (Jussi Sydänmaa) - Guitars
Ox the Hell Bull (Samer el Nahhal) - Bass
Awa the Vampire Countess (Leena Peisa) - Keyboards
Kita the Alien Manbeast (Sampsa Astala) - Drums
Thunderous and heavy as can be, and holding the greatest european song from 2006 (well, some people thought so), Lordi's new album is currently still holding the top spot of my most played list.
They may dress up as monsters, but their follow up to 2004's "The Monsterican Dream" packs a hell of a punch. Entitled "The Arockalypse" there are several tracks which follow that theme, being about the return of rock to its rightful place at the forefront of the musical world.
The opening track is a cheesy TV cutscene about the invasion of monstrous beings and living dead into the streets of the world (hmm, could they mean the band?), until it is interrupted by an evil sounding voice speaking of false prophets and unbelievers. The track finishes with the issuing of the words "This is the day of reckoning, this is, the Arockalypse!". Before launching into a thunderously quick drum intro to the next track, and my favourite from the album, "Bringing Back The Balls To Rock". The track follows the album theme of non-rock music being heresy, and the chanting chorus 'Hail in the name of rock and roll', which I thoroughly agree with!
It Snow's in Hell isn't really a phrase I expect to hear a lot but this track has really grown on me, although at first I didn't like it much I must admit. It's a slow power metal/ballad style of song, and I really can't say why but I love it. The chorus especially, and with a nice slow sounding solo (altho listening closely it does get quite quick in places). Not at all like 'Who's your daddy', another chanty, jumpy, and heavier track. Although not in the league of the Bringing Back The Balls personally, it has a nice simple main riff and doesn't dissapoint. Slowing down about half way through, giving one of those obvious songs that can be played live and extended to include audience participation in the center.
Hard Rock Hallelujah, the eurovision 2006 winning song, is slightly different to the version played at the event, but I think its obvious why it won (especially when given the competition ;) ). This seems to be about as close to a title track as there could be, lyrics direct it to be another song about bringing rock and metal back to the foreground, while the rest crumbles. My particular favourite line in this song has to be "You will see the Jokers soon will be the new kings", quite fitting considering the laughter at their entry to the song contest at first.
The album seems to change from fast tracks to slow tracks fairly often, finishing up with another slower but powerful track, with a catchy chorus.
This album got me into Lordi, and now they are frequently in my playlist, this is my favourite album at the moment, although their previous ones haven't had the play time that this has so it may change.
By J