| When it comes to the Eurovision Song Contest, Finland is better known for its failures than its successes. There is no doubt, however, that this year’s Finnish Eurovision entry will go down as one of the most engaging moments in the history of the competition. Win or lose – most probably win – the song 'Hard Rock Hallelujah', performed by Lordi, looks certain to be the one thing that every viewer remembers from the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest in Athens.
'Hard Rock Hallelujah' sounds nothing like most Eurovision entries. As the title promises, the song is melodic hard rock, a genre seldom associated with Eurovision. Lordi – the name applies both to the group and its lead singer – look nothing like typical Eurovision contestants and more like a heavily made-up monster hard rock band along the lines of KISS or Twisted Sister, or a group of characters from a gory 1980s slasher movie.
And yet it looks and sounds like a winning combination. 'Hard Rock Hallelujah' is not only the most rocking Eurovision entry since ABBA’s 'Waterloo' back in 1974, it also has one of the catchiest tunes. And Lordi put on the best show since Björn Ulvaeus rocked his star-shaped guitar 32 years ago: not only does the band put the rock back into the Eurovision, it also puts the fun back into rock.
Hailing from Arctic Lapland, Lordi became a phenomenon in Finland with the platinum-selling debut album 'Get Heavy' in 2002. Since then, the band has scored Finnish hits with the albums 'The Monsterican Dream' (2004) and 'The Arockalypse' (2006). The compilation album 'The Monster Show' has also been released in more than 20 countries.
Enjoying the music of evil-looking creatures isn’t the same as condoning evil, of course. Although some people have misinterpreted Lordi’s fascination with monsters and death, the band is by no means the Devil’s advocate. Lordi has, after all, had a hit in Finland with a song called 'Devil Is A Loser'.
“We have the same aesthetic as horror films,” says Lordi. “The scarier the film, the more fun it is. And rock music should be all about fun.”
Europe, be afraid. Be very afraid. |
