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It's about three years no, that (finnish again) monster rocker Lordi have won the Eurovison Song Contest. And about two years ago, I've checked them out first at the Gr.Elserhalle here in Munich, which was sold out. Now they are back with another new album 'Deadache'. And after the sensational success of 'Arockalypse' , with this new CD we are right back there, where all the other former albums landed, somewhere in Nirvana. Do name it straight, 'Deadache' went down the drain after it's release on the worldwide market. Sad but true, and it is the best example for the fact, how fast a sudden success can dissappear again. From 2.000 fans back then in Munich, there are just about 400 left this time, who decided to come along and check Lordi out for a second time. No idea, whether this small audiance is up to the band's sinking fame, or rather due to the fact, that that there are too many events at th same time in this town, or the fact, that tomorrow is a normal working day, which means - getting up early in the morning. 
Well now we are here inclusively two supportacts, and we will see what is left from the past magic. 

Fatal Smile from Sweden are the Openers, and they don't do too easy, unfortunately. 

The group were founded by guitarist  Yüksel Unutmaz in Katarinenholm 1994. But since then, he has exchanged the complete line up already twice. The second time was just last year. And now the singer's name is Blade, bassist, Alex, and Drummer Zteff. With these guys and producer Michael Wagener, he produced the album 'World Domination'. And it's this CD which gets promoted on this tour. No not quite, as Fatal Smile should have done so already once in the past supporting Vince Neil. But thanks to the Mötley Crüe singer, this went badly wrong. Never mind, now we got them up there on stage, and they try hard to give their best at this given short cut energy and light conditions. Fatal Smile go for Glamrock, as you can make out in their generell image immidiately. And I feel like transfered back into 1988 or even earlier in some ways. 





They are spontainous and rock like hell... but.... thanks to some ugly feedbacks, it doesn't really fire off. I must admit, I feel sorry for these boys, as they did not have the chance to do a proper soundcheck beforehead because of time reasons. Shame, as this is powerful sleazerock, nothing new and a 1.000 times heard before, but it rocks. I for my part think, as this wasn't there fault, we should give 'em another chance, when they hopefully come back one day. What about a club tour on your own boys...?!!!! That would suit you so much better  I assume.

http://www.fatalsmile.com/



The second prayer comes from Silverlane, a rather new band, who is in first place Simon Michael (Drums), who, as we all know also does his job in Subway To Sally. 

And you can actually name the band almost as a family entertainment. Because next to Simons brother Chris (guitar/Backing vocals) is also Sister Dodo (Keybords, Backing Voc.) participating. Seems to be a very musical family. And the rest consists of singer Ecki Singer, lead guitarist Uli Holermer and bassist Daniel Saffer. The title of the first longplayer is 'The Inner Demon', which gets introduced here. Stylistically Silverlane go for the Power Rock corner, sort of Kamelot or Avantasia style, but still sounding individual.




In this band I do also appreciate a lot the lead guitarist, Singer Ecki looks like a glamrocker with his extraordinary hairstyle, but he definately ain't so. But he is the focus up there, that's for sure, while the actual star of the band, Simon, is more going for understatement and doesn't even show off with long drumsolos. And this makes him pretty attractive. Obviously this guys from the very north of Bavaria get received very well at the audiance. And some fans storm the merch booth after their show to get Silverlane products. 

Yep well, I confess, it's not quite my cup of tea. But as a journalist you have to judge things rather neutral. And I can only say: Respect, this lot could really get a name for themselves in the Hardrock machinery.
http://www.silverlane.org/


And Lordi rise up from hell with a Big Bang, in the truest sense of the word. 

Halleluja, our ears start dancing a Samba Pa Ti and demand compensation for personal suffering a rape. And what a hell of a pyro show. Christ, who would have thought this, that this is possible here in our town, where they are so strict and against such a thing. But it really does happen in this moment, when the monster rocker step on stage. The outfits and costumes are still pretty much the same, and the fins still sweat about 30 liters of sweat during one show. Only the show itselves got a bit more extensive with more horror stunts. 

As we all know, Lordi go for simple poprock melodies, played by a rockguitar and also such a voice. But somehow it all doesn't suit together in a way. I always have had this feeling. There has always been the comparision with american rockers Gwar in the air. Only that Gwar is as mean as they look like, with a mean show, very hard and much more aggressive. That's probably the reason, why Gwar never hit it really big, - not bearable for normal society. Lordi instead seem, despite their masks and show, rather... how shall I describe it? - behaved. Even though Fatal Smile had told us before the show, that they went out with t he guys of Lordi the night before this. And these fins have boozed them underneath the table.  But extreme booze is nothing new in Finland, is it?!
But still... the image doesn't go conform with the general tenor, hard to describe, I know. Maybe I'm also a bit influenced by the fact, that I got to know the Lordi guys before the show and without masks. 

Back tot he show, which does seem to impress the fans here. And  they really seem to play and sing all their stuff live, despite the rumours, which came up two years ago, that not everything is performed live... But well that's past tense and not worth another discussion. 

We ain't allowed to shoot the first song because of the extensive pyros, and we only got track 2 and 3 of the Horror Picture Show...


Intro 'Chopping'

Later on, I stand next to the pyro technician and watch him carefully. Because as soon, as he puts his fingers onto two certain buttons, it means, protect your ears as good as possible. Otherwise your middle ear Samba develops into sugar cottonwool. Because these big bangs goes close to physical harm. 


'(Would You Like A) - Monsterman'

Well over all the whole event is rather average, nice entertainment, lots for our eyes, not so nice for our ears. Apart from that, it's still easy listening poprock without any huge demands and expectations, but you can sing along with it. And let's face it, that this band has won the Eurovision Song Contest was actually a big protest of the whole Hardrock society in Europe, that their music gets a bit more recognition in the international music business.But I fear, this strike happens only once in a life time and won't be repeated that soon again. The tendencies for this band  here, don't look to well, what's up to the rather low resonance of the new album and the lack of fans at their current concerts. 
However, it has been very photogenic, not boring at all and I have had a good laugh... Also a kind of entertainment... or not...?!
http://www.lordi.fi/


'Devil Is A Looser'


'Hardrock Halleluja'

Some Backstage Shots you find at the Diary