Dressed like GWAR, but equipped with massive balls-to-the-wall rock ’n roll, Finland’s LORDI claim to bring those very “balls” back to rock. “Bringing Back the Balls to Rock,” off LORDI’s latest album, The Arockalypse, makes that claim both lyrically and musically with big riffs, big beats, and a big chorus. Fortunately, rock has never actually lost its balls, but these monsters of rock certainly rock out as if rock has long been without said balls…all while keeping it fun and un-serious. In fact, it’s that very attitude that makes The Arockalypse an enjoyable affair. With cheeky songs like “Who’s Your Daddy?,” “Good to Be Bad,” and “Hard Rock Hallelujah,” you know you’re in for a fun ride. The Finns recall 70’s and 80’s hard rock (think KISS, Alice Cooper) with minimal amounts of cheese, but plenty of nostalgia. They even enlist some hard rock veterans (Dee Snider, Udo Dirkschneider, Bruce Kulick, and Jay Jay French) to join their monster mashing affair. The Arockalypse rocks…just don’t take LORDI too seriously. (The End Records)
