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LORDI
Limited Deadition
Reigning Phoenix Music

LORDI mighty, I feel my temperature rising! Yea. Heck Yea! I love LORDI. And if loving LORDI is wrong then I certainly do not want to be right!

For those uninformed with regards to these Scandinavian icons of rock n roll, LORDI is releasing their 19th album this March. Yea, 19, and each record just gets better and better and better, but more on that soon. For me LORDI is like a horror metal variant of STEEL PANTHER. Sure comparisons will abound to GWAR, but LORDI took that aesthetic and doubled down on it with sheer unapologetic talent. No rub to the mighty GWAR at all, but LORDI has picked up where the MURDERDOLLS left off and as I mentioned blended up a riff assault not unlike what STEEL PANTHER is doing for BON JOVI. LORDI is doing for PRIEST or MAIDEN or a slew of lesser known new wave of British heavy metal bands. I kid you not, listening to Limited Deadition is an aural treat first and foremost, but then an aural easter egg hunt as you follow the bouncing ball of "where did that riff come from" and "dangit, rewind... Oh that squeal is from Ozzy's Ultimate Sin.

The album begins with a kitschy little sketch, "SCG XIX The Hexecutioners" that sets the table or our televisions for the mayhem that is about to be viewed. "Legends Are Made Of Cliches" starts with a nifty little piano intro, followed by the arena rock riff and layered keys that would get everyone's Bics out for firing. A great start and with a Halloween-ish key section and an all too catchy chorus LORDI is firing on all cylinders and I am all in. "Syntax Terror" is another 80's inspired keyboard intro'd banger that flows flawlessly into a JUDAS PRIEST "Turbo Lover" inspired class in how to metal. Awesome. Kone and Hella are duelling back and forth with precision to make any sane musician give up. Of course the odd signature triplets and quads banged out by Mana are percussions of legends. Lordi's end scream sends chills. "Skelephant In The Room" reminds me a lot of THE SUICIDE BOMBERS, which I love. This is another mid tempo arena rocker that will have your toes tapping and head swaying without a thought and if that mid song break doesn't have you singing along and swaying in the wind then you're soulless. ;) "SCGTV Saturday Night Main Event" is another television advert spot, which is a killer break in the music but a stand alone treat. "Killharmonic Orchestra" is all anyone would want from Bark At the Moon and Ultimate Sin blended together, Kone incants Jake and does him all the justice in the world. The solo, oh my word. The whammy tricks and the outro, thank you Kone, you sir are my idol. "Collectable" is next with its 70's fueled keyboard and low metered musicianship, making the listener think they are listening to HEAD EAST, but then the chorus comes in and it's a "We Are The world" ear worm. "Makic with K", is all you need to know of this little ditty of five finger discounts gone wrong when we look at those "toys" we collect... or the LORDI albums, got to get them all. "SCGTV Monstersquad Action Figures", "Lordi and his monstersquad"... another Saturday morning action figure advertisement that would have any kid clamoring for their parents to beg for them all. "Fangoria" is probably my favorite today. It starts out ala MEGADETH's "Peace Sells" and then folds into a damn crispy verse detailing all your favorite slashers, Evil Ash and such from, yep, Fangoria. Kone is absolutely filthy herein, the solo is perfect and Hellas keys compliment Kone and this song perfectly, and who doesn't appreciate cowbell?

"Hellizabeth" is the video song and it is soooooo much fun. It reminds me of a KING DIAMOND piece performed by BONFIRE, awesome if you can pull it off and LORDI does just that. The chorus is hook filled and Lordi's vocals are on point (again). Kone dials it back and shreds at half speed to stay in time with the song and to say I'd love to see Kone and Satchel guitar sparring would be heaven. "SCGTV The Hexecutioners Season Finale" is another TV spot both inventive and funny. "Retropolis" is probably fave song 2. The rhythm is far too catchy not to be heard and the whole song could be the new single from W.E.T., dang Lordi and company are onto something (duh) and they deserve more than these paltry words, but if Kone keeps soloing like an angel than I will keep praising and "Retropolis" has all the trills, squeals, hammer-ons and harmonics this kid needs to be smitten.

"Frighteousness" showcases Hellas piano stylings and is another arena rocker ripped right from anything 80's era album, but the breakdown I can't put my finger on. I know it, maybe Lordi will clue me in someday, please. Kone continues his masterclass in rock guitar. "SCGTV Crazeee Ralph Promo" is, as it sounds, a promo for Crazeee Ralph and his not so conventional wares for all of you murderous minded. Again, funny. "Limited Deadition", the title track is just another in the long list of arena rock dingers. The play on words and the theme of collectibles is appreciated for sure. "You Might Be Deceased" closes the record and closes it with some serious strength. Ooof what a track. Very metal this go around, but let's not overlook the quintessential cowbell! Lordi belts out beautifully his laments to how you might in fact be deceased. A chorus that will have you singing and laughing. Kone just obliterates the guitar solo, and the outro break is something to be heard and connects the solo and outro chorus perfectly. Love the key change too!

Well there you have it. High high high high praise for a legendary bad that deserves all my kind words along with yours. I can't get enough of LORDI and I know I will be here for album number 20, keep them coming please and thank you.

5.0 Out Of 5.0