Lordi - Rock City 26/10/06
So off to another gig I go, this time managing to coax thejitty's own Bratpack and Hunter along for the ride. All geared up and ready to see some monsters!
I had plenty of expectations for the gig, most about what kind of a freaky stage show we would be treated to, but I also had a vague sense of uncertainty as I had never heard of the support band (Turisas) until the week before. All I knew of them were that they wer also from Finland, and played something described as 'Battle Metal'.
So we arrived at Rock City in nottingham after a nightmare long drive (glad Hunter has the patience me and Bratpack lack!), and stand around in the cold discussing the various gettups that some of the crowd were wearing. Several seemed to be sporting Viking helmets, swords, and various face paints... a little more about Turisas revealed perhaps?
The evening started well, with a ManOWar album playing before the bands came on, suspiciously the same one I'd had stuck in my head the whole day. A steady squeeze through the various gaps to reach the front while Brat and Hunter dissapear into the rafters to get a better overhead view free from raised arms and jumping rockers.
The music dims..and finally the intro starts... an intruiging session of trumpets and gongs, some slight chanting, all adding to the already warlike atmosphere of some of the bands kits on stage and the various swords being thrust around me. I could just about make out a drummer climbing into his kit through the darkness, clad in what appears to be wolf pelts and red war paint. A loud roar from the crowd as turisas take to the stage with a nice mix of keyboards guitar and drums ringing out a quick and heavy beat. First thing I notice..the gutiarist has fallen to his knee's as a roadie runs on to re-attach his guitar strap...whoops!
The entire band seemed to be sporting wolf pelts, and large amounts of war paint (let alone the sweat!). The vocalist giving a nice growly tone, reminiscent of all those viking films from the past. Now for the entrance of my favourite band member, the seemingly young violinist, and his accompaniment of someone wearing... well, a towel (obviously they ran out of pelts) and sporting an accordian. The two take center stage and give a wonderful little solo section which sounds more like an irish jig to me than anything, but nevertheless gives a great atmosphere to the song.
Various other songs pass along, varying from fast and furious to slow and full of, well, chanting! The violinist gave an interesting solo (full of obscenities aimed at guitarists and guitar solo's, but he still seemed to get the crowds support on the matter!). I was thoroughly impressed with his playing though..almost made me want to learn violin from watching that! Shortly followed by a sped up, electrified violin version of god save the queen..accompanied by an acordian player in... a union jack thong? Yes... unfortunately... yes...
A lot of the music from Turisas sounded like it would be at home in a jolly pub than on a metal stage, but who cares? Not I! It seemed to go even further into this idea though with "One More", their self proclaimed drinking song, another song riddled with chanting and beer tankards ^^. Finishing with the albums title track, "Battle Metal", a wonderfully bouncy song full of trumpet sounds, a nice backing beat, and a very loud and ferocious chorus! The only downside to this song was that it meant I had duck constantly to avoid swinging swords...
So, exit Turisas, being the security handing out water bottles to those of us with parched throats, and watch as the Lordi roadies (all dressed as hangmen) run around and rebuild the stage. After what seemed like forever, a growly demonic voice rings out around the room, calling us all heretics and followers of false prophets. Only a matter of time till Lordi appear now, and as the room starts to grow silent, the band sneak onto stage. Now, was that the band or the local Trick or Treaters?
Straight into "Bringing Back the Balls to Rock!" with a fantastically quick drum into, and echoing screeches from Mr. Lordi (now standing loud and proud in the center of the stage on his 8" odd platforms!).
Bratpacks description of the show was "A cheesy B Movie - with music!", and it seemed to fit quite well really, with stage props for over 50% of the songs, ranging from Smoke Cannons, Wings, Circular Saws, Dismembered Body Parts, Fake Snow, Zombie Women...
Each member of the band got their own little extra bit, guitar solos, bassist growling into a microphone, the drummer playing a little game of "Guess the cover", showing some of their influences possibly? As there seemed to be a little bit of skid row in there to say the least.
Mr. Lordi seemed to retreat after every song to get mopped down with a towel, and who can blame him, dressed up like a monster in that giant suit must make you damn hot! especially under those stage lights. He was fairly active for someone wearing boots that size, I was suprised he could even walk really! The music to go with all this distracting stage show...was phenomenal!
They took a large mix from their previous albums and the newest (the one they were touring for) - The Arockalypse, although they played a fair chunk of it. They provided the crowd with a fair selection of quick, heavy, slow, melodic, crowd gripping, bouncy and thunderous songs. Never forgetting to supply us with a few souvenirs... such as fake blood in the face sprayed from the circular saw during "Pet The Destroyer".
So finally, the band leaves the stage... some people possibly wondering why they hadn't given us some of their most popular songs. But those of us who go through this regularly, know that until the bright lights come on in the room that theres going to be an encore, and yet another chance for us to scream and shout our throats to pieces before they come back on stage.
Finishing off with the most expected song of the evening, Hard Rock Hallelujah! Was there anyway they could possibly get away with NOT playing it? not really..
All in all one of the most enjoyable gigs I've been to for a long time! The only downside being that I failed to hang onto that drumstick for long enough :( and that I was in the wrong place to get the free T-shirt. Dissapointed I didn't get a Turisas shirt, but I got the album instead so all is good. Next time they come around, I'll definetly be going to see them again :)
Set List:
Turisas:
01. Victoriae & Triumphi Dominus (Intro)
02. As Torches Rise
03. The Land of Hope And Glory
04. Sahti-Waari
05. One More
06. Violin Solo
07. Rex Regi Rebellis
08. Battle Metal
Lordi:
01. Intro
02. Bringing Back the Balls To Rock
03. Get Heavy
04. Who’s Your Daddy
05. Not the Nicest Guy
06. Pet The Destroyer
07. Rock The Hell Outta You
08. Blood Red Sandman
09. Biomechanic Man
10. The Kids Who Wanna Play With the Dead
11. It Snows in Hell
12. Drum Solo
13. Deadite Girls Gone Wild
14. Dynamite Tonite
15. Devil Is A Loser
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16. They Only Come Out At Night
17. Would You Love A Monsterman?
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18. Hard Rock Hallelujah
19. Outro
