Finn Eurovision hopes "don't want to burn in hell"

[jarmo]

By Stephen Brown

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Song contest entrants are rarely forced to deny that they worship the devil, but Finland is hoping that heavy rock band Lordi's fiendish lyrics and bloody stage act can redeem its dismal record at Eurovision.

Christian groups in Finland and in Greece, which hosts the televised contest in May, denounce the band as Satanists and the Greek Consumers' Union wants them banned.

Lordi's devil worship denials are not helped by their outfits -- horns, skeleton and zombie masks, creeping flesh, mummy bandages, studs and huge platform-soles -- or lyrics like "Wings on my back and horns on my head/My fangs are sharp and my eyes are red".


But band leader Lordi, with red eyes, horns on his forehead and cheeks, silver armor and a cape lined with reindeer fur, told Reuters it was "insulting being judged by the way you look. Our lyrics mention the devil, but that's just rock'n'roll.

"If we had to choose between the devil and God, we'd choose God. We don't want to burn in hell," he said in an interview on a visit to Stockholm on Thursday, in a record label's office strewn with costumes, make-up and hamburgers.

"Some of our fans on the Internet do have nicknames like Lordi666, but after we brought out 'The Devil is a Loser' four years ago lots of Christians adopted us," said singer and lyricist Lordi, whose real name is Tomi Putaansuu.

Putaansuu is a 32-year-old horror movie buff who has been dressing up as a monster since he was seven.

He knows the band will be out of place in a contest that is historically the domain of clean-cut pop from the likes of ABBA, Britain's Cliff Richard and Ireland's Johnny Logan.

"We are like meat-eaters in a vegetarian cafe," said Lordi, sitting beside guitarist Amen who was sweating in a rubber mummy outfit and had to send out for a straw to drink mineral water through the fixed grimace on his mask.

DEAD SERIOUS

Hailing from the Lapland town of Rovaniemi, whose main claim to fame is as the home of Father Christmas, Lordi say they are "deadly serious" about their music, citing influences like Kiss, Twisted Sister, Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne, who has also been accused of Satanism.

Lordi says his country's Eurovision Song Contest panel, desperate for a result, "begged" the band to compete for the Finnish selection, where it won 42 percent of television votes.


Finland has never come close to winning Eurovision. Even neighboring Norway, which has famously scored "nul points" at least four times, has a win to its name, while Sweden next door is a Eurovision superpower.

The annual competition, in its 51st year, is often derided as tacky and outdated, but Eurovision remains a major television draw watched by over 100 million viewers in some 40 countries.

At first just keen for the publicity for their latest album "Rock Hallelujah", Lordi are now determined to make the finals.

Back home the band gets mixed reviews. Lutheran pastors have denounced them for blasphemy, while others like school principal Veronic Sandstrom, 58, suggest "maybe it would have been better to send someone more attractive".

But rock fans hope the outlandish costumes, snarled lyrics and hard guitar will make an impact.

"I don't see how a band with a mummy and a skeleton with a nose ring could lose!" said the editor of Finnish rock magazine Sue, Ari Vantanen, who thinks the band is perfect for the "camp event" Eurovision has now become.

"We've sent beautiful people before and that didn't work. Now we're trying something else, let's see how it goes," said language teacher Sofia Tasanko, 35, at Turku train station.

(Additional reporting by Laura Vinha and Arild Moen in Finland)


? Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved.



How many here are supporting Lordi in the Eurovision? This must be the best thing Finland has done in that "competition". Instead of taking it seriously, sending some pop singer and still finishing last, they're sending Lordi!




/jarmo

[Skeletor]

This must be the best thing Finland has done in that "competition". Instead of taking it seriously, sending some pop singer and still finishing last, they're sending Lordi!

Agreed. Lordi isn't something I'd listen to at home, but it's still decent music - unlike 99% of the Eurovision. I think it's a great way to deliver that joke of a song contest a kick in the nuts.

[mrlee]

LMAO i will actually watch eurovision for this.

some balls to it cant hurt hehe

[jarmo]

LMAO i will actually watch eurovision for this.

some balls to it cant hurt hehe

First they need to qualify for the final round....




/jarmo

[Hammy]

I watch Eurovision most years, not for the acts but for Terry Wogan's hilarious commentary.

I really like Lordi though they're a great band, lot's of fun, they have my full support!

Edit:  Just remember i actually started a thread on them, though nobody respond, seems there are many fans on here
http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/board/index.php?topic=20695.0

[speed-stone]

 
what a bunch of retards! (especially the christians still livin' in the dark ages)

[Ignatius]

What's with Eurovision in the nordic countries? I've been told Eurovision is like the most anticipated TV event in Sweden. I don't know how it is in Finland (I guess not that serious anymore since they chose a Heavy Metal band to represent them) but why is it such a big deal?

I wish Spain could do something similar. Not only we always seem to pick a flamenco group to represent us? - by the way...do you remember the infamous hit "asereje ja de je dejebere tu... a few years back? That group is going to be our pick this year. They will be singing a brilliant, meaningful song called "Bloody Mary" - every contest in this country seems to be corrupted. It all started with the beauty pageants and now with the eurovision festival. I don't personally understand it cause nobody cares about the eurovision contest here (we did 5 years ago when the "pop idol" craziness was all over Europe). I guess the record labels still do and have a huge influence in whoever is in charge to decide who goes to the eurovision contest.

Now with so many countries, there's a qualifying round isn't it? I don't even remember how well we ranked last year.

Anyway, I'll be pulling for Spain, but this contest needs a kick in hte nuts indeed. So if Lordi qualifies, Go Finland!

[Aava]

How many here are supporting Lordi in the Eurovision?

I am. The best we have ever had! 

[jarmo]

What's with Eurovision in the nordic countries? I've been told Eurovision is like the most anticipated TV event in Sweden. I don't know how it is in Finland (I guess not that serious anymore since they chose a Heavy Metal band to represent them) but why is it such a big deal?

The TV channel here really tries to make it a big deal. First they have like these qualifying rounds and then a final round to decide what artists gets to represent Sweden. So obviousloy the papers are filled with stuff about the artists and their clothes for weeks before. Then after the final, they're filled with news about why the others lost etc.

I'd say there are other things that are more anticipated, but thanks to the media attention and hype, a lot of people will watch just so they won't feel left out.....?




/jarmo

[Walk]

This looks like a joke band like GWAR, not kvlt n3cr0 black metal at all.

[kaasupoltin]

How many here are supporting Lordi in the Eurovision?

I am. The best we have ever had!?

That's right! We can't win with someone like Tomi Mets?keto singing about love and other shit You need something stupid to win Eurovision

[Danny Top Hat]

They were on the news at 4.30am talking about Star Wars.? They're a metal band that dress up like monsters (yay!) and they're competing for Finland this year.? I think I might actually vote for a change!

Does anyone else like them?

[Skeletor]

Read here for more discussion:
http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/board/index.php?topic=29259.0

[sic.]

LMAO i will actually watch eurovision for this.

some balls to it cant hurt hehe

First they need to qualify for the final round....

They did. This should be interesting. 

[kaasupoltin]

Hahha this is great! When the host of the qualification-round asked the crowd "WHO DO YOU WANT?!", everyone was just "FINLAAAAAND!"

Lithuania is also my favourite Don't take it too seriously..

[Axls Locomotive]

anyone watching this?...they are on at the moment...fuckin brilliant

[Hammy]

anyone watching this?...they are on at the moment...fuckin brilliant

Yeah they rule!  I really hope they win....

...they must be one of the only entrants ever that i like.

Hard Rock Halleujah! Get In!

[Jonathan]

Hahha this is great! When the host of the qualification-round asked the crowd "WHO DO YOU WANT?!", everyone was just "FINLAAAAAND!"

Lithuania is also my favourite Don't take it too seriously..

I'm with you on Lithuania, the bald guy is just hilarious.......

As for Lordi, they were really good.

[Jessica]

2 countries to go and it's over for votes.

I am bad, i know, but i have liked the Carolina from sweden ( and he is a gorge !!)

I don't give a fuck about turkey and armenia because they are usually crap ( although i will listen)

I missed the rest because my companion wantss to watch smallville ( clark asked lana and his dad died)..

 

WHO DO YOU THINK WINS TONIGHT ?

and YES I KNOW, france was shite ( always is)

[Axls Locomotive]

why do most of the countries go for long haired big breasted women...they are all the same...its boring, so thank hell for lordy and a few other entries that are different

oh and UK entry sucks the biggest bollocks ever