Released by: AFMRecords/SoulfoodMusic
Genre: Metal
Release date: 31 January 2020
Line up:
Mr. Lordi (vocals),
Mr. Amen (guitars),
Mr. Hiisi (bass),
Mr. Mana (drums),
Ms. Hella (keyboards)
Tracklist:
1 – Radio SCG 10
2 – Horror For Hire
3 – Shake The Baby Silent
4 – Like A Bee To The Honey
5 – Apollyon
6 -SCG10 The Last Hour
7 – Blow My Fuse
8 – I Dug A Hole In The Yard For You
9 – Zombimbo
10 – Up To No Good
11 – SCG10 Demonic Semitones
12 – Cutterfly
13 – Evil
14 – Scream Demon
15 – SCG10 I Am Here
Ever since Lordi entered the mainstream following their 2006 Eurovision Song Contest win, I have eagerly awaited new releases from them, just to see in which direction the album takes us.
Killection is a rather strange journey, based upon the idea of a radio station playing imaginary hits from the 1970’s to the present day. This allows the band to experiment with instruments and recording techniques to give authenticity to the era that the song is supposedly from.
This framing of the album also introduces the concept of Radio station tracks, which allow the DJ to enhance (interrupt) the album with promos, competitions and phone ins that I would imagine be commonplace in late night commercial radio stations (disclaimer, I don’t listen to commercial radio). For most people this format would be acceptable, for me, it just reminds me of the Grand Theft Auto video games, and with an album of 52mins, I would not be upset for these tracks to be cut.
Now to the actual music tracks, the songs based on 70’s hits (“Blow My Fuse” and “Zombino”) were recorded analogue on 24 track tape. Blow My Fuse has a distinct psychedelic feel to it, whilst “Zombino” is a quirky little disco number that evokes visions of catsuit clad young people roller skating around a discotheque.
The 80’s songs (including “Up To No Good” and “Cutterfly”) reflect the rebellious side of the decade with lyrics expressing rebellion and standing up to the authorities, with fist pumping beats to match, although with Apollyon we also get the stereotypical 80’s power ballad, along with a possible pop based love in “Like A Bee To The Honey”, with the line ‘gotta dip into your fruit jar’ its familiar but also unique.
Bringing the album more up to date with rocking riffs and a more ‘Lordi’ offering “Evil” seems to take its influence from Slayer, and is by far the thrashyist song in the album (and also my favourite)
If you are of a gentle disposition, I would strongly suggest you don’t listen to this album, but if you must, avoid track 3 “Shake The Baby Silent”, the Rammstein-esqe electronic beats on this are pleasantly enjoyable, however the lyrics touch upon a taboo subject.
As an album as a whole, it took me a few listens to begin to enjoy it. The previous Lordi album “Sexorcism” I was hooked on within one listen. “Killection” has taken me at least four listens to begin to enjoy it. It is definitely one of those that gets better with time, and for me, once I had learned to ignore the radio segments.
As a concept idea of an imaginary compilation album it works well, especially with the authenticity provided by using period instruments and equipment. However, for me, the radio station format is just annoying, and I’m glad that with digital downloads I can just skip those tracks, however if you were retro and had this on vinyl or cassette I probably wouldn’t be as happy.
Give it a listen or 5, as there is a track for everyone on here.
SCORE: 7 /10
Reviewed by Kalli Isborne
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