Lordi - 'Limited Deadition'

Full of great songs and skits, blistering riffs and melodies, it’s fair to say that Lapland’s foremost Metal group have released an absolute monster with their latest album!

Two kids play at a glowing table with symbols. Dark figures loom in the background. Text: LIMITED DEADITION, LORDI. Mood is eerie.

Full of great songs and skits, blistering riffs and melodies, it’s fair to say that Lapland’s foremost Metal group have released an absolute monster with their latest album!

Loosely connected to their eighteenth studio album ‘Screem Writers Guild’, which came out two years ago, ‘Limited Deadition’ is still full of AOR- based tunes. It does, however, contain a much harder Metal edge than its predecessor which, in my opinion, adds a much meatier layer that suits the band’s style and the unique gravelly voice of lead singer Mr. Lordi himself. Although not a concept album as such, its core is around those magnificent action figures that us older folks collected as children in the eighties and from this Lordi deliver eleven supreme tracks and five “mini-adverts” that hit the bullseye every single time.

Starting with an advert introducing ‘The Hexecutioners’, the first song kicks into gear with the wonderfully energetic ‘Legends Are Made Of Clichés’ which has a lovely Halloween theme tune opening style. This gives way to a pounding melody courtesy of band members Hella (keyboards), Mana (drums), Hiisi (bass), and newest addition Kone (guitars). The full-throttle start continues with the harder sounding ‘Syntax Terror’ before transforming into the melodic ‘Skelephant In The Room’, which is just brilliant.

Following another commercial - eat your heart out WWE – ‘Killharmonic Orchestra’ takes centre stage and, again it’s a superb blend of Melodic Hard Rock with an Alice Cooper sound to it. The cadence slows with ‘Collectable’, a lovely counterbalance to the rapid songs before it which shows that Lordi can deliver all tempos.

The one thing evident throughout this album is how clever Mr. Lordi’s lyrics are. Not only do they provoke some glorious childhood memories, but the name checks and situations he weaves through the songs are first-rate, especially when he yearns for the return in print of the horror magazine ‘Fangoria’, a publication I remember all too well.

As we cruise throughout the rest of the album, ‘Hellzabeth’ stands out as one of the highlights due to its melodic majesty. ‘Retropolis’ and ‘Frighteousness’ also keep the high standard going. After the final break from music, which will put a smile on your face with its parody of American shop-style adverts, it’s the final two songs and what a way to close a fantastic piece of work, especially ‘You Might Be Deceased’.

Is it too early to say “Album Of The Year?”

Reviewer: Pete Arnett

Label: Reigning Phoenix

Genre: Hard Rock

Issue Reviewed In: 110

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