Monster rockers Lordi take on U.S.

By Sami Torma

HELSINKI (Reuters) - Monster rockers Lordi, who conquered their native Finland before storming Europe, now take on Asia and North America with a new tour.

The band, which performs over-the-top, horror-show theatrics and pyrotechnic-fuelled rock, was due to kick off in Japan with a concert on Monday and goes to the United States on April 20.

They return to Helsinki to perform at the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest a year after their shock victory in the annual competition set them on a path to regional stardom.

Lordi then return to complete the U.S. tour in July and August and have also begun making a horror movie.

"I counted that last year I spent more time in a mask than without it," bandleader Mr. Lordi said in a recent interview.

He told Reuters the group -- whose members dress in armour and ghoulish skeleton and zombie masks -- has seen its fan base grow worldwide, particularly through the Internet, and that it was a personal ambition to crack the key U.S. market.

But he added that Lordi would not go to America with trumpets blazing: "Easy does it. I do not think it is very different to Europe. It is about overcoming prejudices."

"We are a strange bird, as we do not play metal music per se -- although many want to label us that way. We play more like retro 1980s rock," said Mr. Lordi, whose real name is Tomi Putaansuu.

"If you catch the drift, it takes you one second to get hooked. If it is not instant, it is likely you will never get it."

Lordi says the original inspiration for its gory costumes and lyric music came from the American rock group KISS. Critics say it is too soft for hard rock and metal fans, with songs like "Would You Love a Monsterman" and "Night of the Loving Dead."

HORROR FLICK

Lordi's strongest European success has been in its Finnish homeland, but the band has also done well in Sweden and Germany.

With their monster appeal, Lordi has begun filming a horror movie, set for release before Christmas.

"It will be a full-blooded horror flick, where our characters bluntly butcher people," said Mr. Lordi, who refuses to appear in public out of costume. "It will not be for kids."

After the film and tour that also takes in Canada, Mr. Lordi intends to keep fans happy and is composing new songs with the aim of producing a new album by late 2008.