Words and Pictures: Adrian Hextall / MindHex Media
The air in Islington Assembly Hall on April 8th crackled with a specific kind of anticipation – the kind reserved for monsters. Lordi, Finland’s legendary purveyors of hard rock horror, were back in London, touring their latest slab of sonic mayhem, Limited Deadition. While the promise of Mr. Lordi and his ghoulish cohorts is always enough to draw a crowd, this particular night offered a double dose of visual and auditory assault, kicked off by a support act that proved far more than just a warm-up.
Sick N’ Beautiful
Before the main spectacle, the stage was seized by Sick N’ Beautiful. Entirely new to me, this Italian outfit was nothing short of a revelation and perfectly set the tone for the monstrous headliners. Bursting onto the stage like refugees from a dystopian sci-fi flick crash-landed in a rock club, their aesthetic was a striking blend of cyberpunk, alien intrigue, and glam-rock energy. Clad in intricate, futuristic costumes, think glowing elements, bio-mechanical details, and vibrant, otherworldly makeup, they immediately commanded attention.
But Sick N’ Beautiful are far from just a visual gimmick. Their sound hit like a laser blast, a potent mix of hard rock riffs, industrial-tinged electronics, and infectious, anthemic choruses. Frontwoman Herma commanded the stage with ferocious energy and a powerful, versatile voice, shifting effortlessly from soaring melodies to aggressive snarls. The band behind her was incredibly tight, laying down grooves that were both heavy and danceable. Tracks like God of Thunder, the classic KISS number got the crowd on side as soon as the familiar riff kicked in. The performance showed an ingrained debt to the glam rockers from the 70s and whilst Sick N’ Beautiful have layered in other aspects to their music, there’s no denying the ‘show’ matters greatly to the. Their aesthetic, showcased with (Human) Is Overrated offered something new and as the set progress, the band whipped the assembling crowd into a frenzy. They weren’t just supporting; they were converting. By the end of their set, the buzz in the room was palpable. Sick N’ Beautiful had not only warmed up the crowd but had undoubtedly gained a legion of new London fans, myself included. Their unique blend of visual storytelling and high-energy rock made them an unexpectedly brilliant discovery and an inspired choice for this tour.
SETLIST: (Human) Is Overrated / Tonight We Go to War / God of Thunder (KISS cover) / Drop It 2 the B / Raise the Dragon / Hate Manifesto / New Witch 666 / Makin’ Angels
Lordi
Then, the familiar riff that we’d already heard performed live played over the PA. God of Thunder echoed once more around the spacious hall to the delight of those present and then the lights dimmed for the main event. Lordi emerged, not so much walking on stage as materializing from some crypt deep beneath the Assembly Hall. The immediate impact of their costumes cannot be overstated. Intricate, grotesque, and utterly convincing, each member is a walking piece of horror art. Mr. Lordi himself, towering and demonic, led the charge. Touring Limited Deadition, the band wisely peppered the setlist with new cuts, slotting them seamlessly alongside the classics.
New tracks like the stomping, graveyard-dirt-caked opener Legends Are Made of Clichés and the surprisingly melodic, yet still menacing, Girls Go Chopping proved the band hasn’t lost its knack for crafting horror-infused hard rock anthems. The riffs were heavy, the choruses were huge, and the themes were pure monster-movie B-reel glory. Another new one, perhaps the theatrically titled Syntax Terror, showed off the band’s signature blend of tongue-in-cheek horror and fist-pumping rock ‘n’ roll and the ability to turn a phrase to their advantage perfectly. The crowd, initially absorbing the new material, were quickly won over, heads banging and fists pumping in approval. These weren’t just album tracks; they were built for the stage, designed to be bellowed back by the faithful.
However, a Lordi show is as much about the spectacle as the songs, and this is where the Limited Deadition tour truly excels, cementing its status as a must-see event. The costume changes are integral to this. Throughout the set, Mr. Lordi, in particular, undergoes transformations. Demonic wings might unfurl for one track, a different, more gruesome mask might appear for another. This isn’t just window dressing; it keeps the visual aspect dynamic and prevents the monstrous visages from becoming static. It adds layers to the performance, enhancing the narrative feel of the show.
The absolute pinnacle of this theatricality arrived mid-set. As I moved to the balcony to watch the remainder of the show, Mr. Lordi re-emerged wielding a ridiculously oversized, gore-splattered chainsaw. The prop wasn’t subtle; it was enormous, menacing, and utterly brilliant. He stalked the stage, swinging the (thankfully non-functional (although the chain was spinning) but effectively loud) saw, leering at the audience with gleeful horror. It was pure, unadulterated rock theatre – absurd, terrifying, and exhilarating all at once. The crowd erupted. This moment perfectly encapsulates why Lordi endures: they fully commit to the monstrous bit, blending solid hard rock with B-movie theatrics in a way few others dare. “That song” closed the evening alongside new , slower track ‘Collectable’ which panders to the inner geeks and nerds that we all are to a degree. A fantastic set and show (as always).
From the explosive arrival of Sick N’ Beautiful to the triumphant, chainsaw-wielding, costume-changing horror-rock opera of Lordi, the night was a masterclass in rock spectacle. The new songs proved Lordi still have fresh horrors to unleash, while the ever-evolving, prop-heavy theatrics confirmed their place as one of live music’s most unique and visually stunning experiences. This wasn’t just a gig; it was an invasion, and a gloriously monstrous one at that. Essential viewing.
SETLIST:
[Intro] God of Thunder (KISS song)
[TAPE] SCG XIX The Hexecutioners
Legends Are Made of Clichés
Girls Go Chopping
Who’s Your Daddy?
Drum Solo
Beast of Both Worlds
The Riff
Girl in a Suitcase
Keyboard Solo
Syntax Terror
Call Off the Wedding
Guitar Solo
Retropolis
Hellizabeth
Bass Solo
Blood Red Sandman
Devil Is a Loser
Would You Love a Monsterman?
Hard Rock Hallelujah
Collectable
[TAPE] God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll to You II (KISS song)
About Author
