Search - Lordi :: Get Heavy

Melodic Monsters

Mike Schorn | APO, AE United States | 05/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's hard to think that few people used to know of Lordi. Before "The Arockalypse" and Eurovision, the Finnish quintet were little more than a hard rock band who performed in monster suits; certainly unique and original, but they remained only a microscopic blip on the worldwide radar of heavy metal until four years later.

Though their level of recognition has climbed over the last two years, the essentials of what is the Lordi-style of rock has remained in-place throughout their publicized existence, and if you enjoyed "The Arockalypse", chances are that you'll enjoy their debut album, "Get Heavy".

While not exactly stripped-back, the music sounds a bit rougher and less refined than their later releases would: less emphasis is placed on keyboards and synthesizers, and the remaining instrumentation sounds significantly heavier than what the world has come to expect from the monster group. Not to lower expectations, though, the songs are rich with melody and sing-along choruses - as well as head-banging value - and generally retain the 80s-inspired KISS & Cooper feel that Lordi enjoy telling people about.



The singles "Devil Is A Loser" and "Would You Love A Monsterman?" are the foremost highlights of the album: respectively super catchy and super melodic, they are great themes for the band as a whole, and terrific party songs.

The anthems "Get Heavy" and "Rock The Hell Out Of You", as well as the closing number "Monster Monster", are just as good, and continue the catchy/bombastic formula.

"Not The Nicest Guy", "Hellbender Turbulence", "Biomechanic Man", "Last Kiss Goodbye", and "Dynamite Tonight" are still fun, but lack the lyrical quality of the earlier numbers. Although the album doesn't fizzle out under their offerings, they're of the kind of songs that are best enjoyed if you're not giving them undivided attention; at least a few of them might be considered filler material.

Personally, I enjoy "Icon Of Dominance", but fans remain divided about this number: neither a single nor intended filler, it's a slow, moody, keyboard-driven number that sees Lordi whispering most of the lyrics.

Oh, and the opening and outro tracks are short sounds-effects numbers that set a horror-movie mood to the album (as if it needed it).



When it was first released, I considered the album to be flawless, but even though time has pointed out a few bumps in the album's production, it is, above all, an incredibly fun CD to listen to. Definitely recommended to fans of Alice Cooper, Twisted Sister, etc, but also for lovers of Scandinavian metal in whole. You won't be disappointed!"