LORDI - review added 9th January 2009
Album Review: Deadache (2008)
For fans of: heavy metal... and more theatrics than Tim Rice
Deadache sees Lordi return with more of their theatrical heavy metal. The be-costumed band are to music what barbequed squirrel is to haute cuisine - a bit rough and ready and full of nuts.
They are at their best when they go completely over the top. Songs like 'Raise Hell In Heaven' are exactly the sort of thing they should be doing. Thoroughly bonkers lyrics, stupidly fast music, and singing so hammed up it'll upset the pigs.
Mr Lordi's vocals haven't improved in any measurable way. Imagine Lemmy with a pint of phlegm in his throat and you'll get the idea. When he sings alone, and especially where the music is quieter, he truly does sound terrible (check out the start of Dr. Sin Is In'). It's like listening to a zombie doing bad karaoke. Or maybe that was intended? Sometimes his voice adds character to tracks, and in moments of harmony the sound can be quite appealing, but there are numerous occasions you'll want to cover your ears and run away screaming.
The song writing follows the same trends as before. There's lots of beautiful nonsense about horror and the darker side of history. Do song names get any better than 'Girls Go Chopping' and 'Man Skin Boots'? The lyrics are funny and scary at the same time. 'My monsters keep me company' anyone? The musicianship is much the same too. Lordi won't win any awards for guitar solos or the world's best rhythm section, but they are talented enough to play this genre.
Deadache is not as good as the previous album 'The Arockalypse'. Whether you'll like it is dependent on getting past the psychological barrier of Mr Lordi's voice. He is massively characterful to the point of insanity and makes the music both brilliant and terrible. It wouldn't be the same without him.
Check out... The ballad 'Evilyn'. It's rather good actually.
Track List:
1. SCG IV
2. Girls Go Chopping
3. Bite It Like A Bulldog
4. Monsters Keep Me Company
5. Man Skin Boots
6. Dr. Sin Is In
7. The Ghosts Of Heceta Head
8. Evilyn
9. The Rebirth of The Countess
10. Raise Hell In Heaven
11. Deadache
12. The Devil Hides Behind Her Smile
13. Missing Miss Charlene
Label: Song BMG Finland
Band websites: Lordi , MySpace
