With their explosive metal sound and monstrous good looks, Lordi have become Finland's prime music export over the last year. Following a decade of grueling efforts, Lordi broke through internationally with their fourth album "The Arockalypse" after winning the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, marking Finland's first-ever victory at the pan-European competition. Viewers, used to enduring ear-battering bad pop and folk music entries, voted in droves for Lordi after witnessing their pyrotechnic stage show and hearing their anthemic tune, "Hard Rock Hallelujah," which netted a record 292 points.
The rest, as they say, is history. "The Arockalypse" features songs with titles like "The Night Of The Loving Dead" and "Bringing Back The Balls To Rock"; a DVD of high-budget horror videos; and guest appearances from Kiss' fourth lead guitarist Bruce Kulick and Twisted Sister's Dee Snider and Jay Jay French, was rereleased, going Top 20 in nine countries and catapulting the band to international success.
We caught up with front-ghoul Mr. Lordi to find out what to expect from their first Japan tour, which starts next week.