LORDI – 20 Years Since Their Eurovision Victory: How Finnish Monsters Made Music History – A Success Story of Horror Metal, Gucci, and Haunted Houses LORDI are undoubtedly among Europe's most extraordinary and striking rock exports – and remain a phenomenon that extends far beyond the metal scene. Exactly 20 years ago, the band achieved a moment that made music history: With the song "Hard Rock Hallelujah," LORDI unexpectedly won the 2006 Eurovision Song Contest. This triumph not only shattered all previous points records within the competition but also fundamentally changed the perception of rock and heavy metal music in the European mainstream. To this day, LORDI are the first and only Finnish band to win the Eurovision Song Contest. And with their victory and a total of 292 points, they still hold the points record. Lordi was officially founded in 1992 by frontman Mr. Lordi – singer, songwriter, visual artist, and creator of the iconic monster costumes. The band hails from Rovaniemi in northern Finnish Lapland, a region whose rugged landscape and mystical aura perfectly complement the group's aesthetic. However, the true age of Finnish monsters and how long they've been wreaking havoc remains their closely guarded secret. In fact, the musicians only ever appear in public in their monstrous personas.

Winning the Eurovision Song Contest marked their international breakthrough. A week after returning from Athens, the band was welcomed in Helsinki by around 70,000 people – a historic moment for the relatively small Finnish pop culture scene.

Finland's then-President Tarja Halonen presented Lordi with an oversized bronze key as a token of recognition for their contributions to Finnish music abroad. The reception even made it into the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest mass karaoke event. The triumph also left a lasting mark on their hometown of Rovaniemi: the central square was renamed Lordi Square (Lordin aukio) in the band's honor – a visible symbol of their success to this day.

Mr. Lordi is, after Santa Claus, the second most famous son of the small northern Finnish town beyond the Arctic Circle.

Lordi have long been considered a fixture and figureheads of the Finnish music industry. They are regularly invited to Eurovision Song Contest anniversaries and special events, or they are tasked with announcing Finland's points. At the same time, the monsters have become an integral part of international pop culture. They have also repeatedly caused a stir on German television – for example, as Team Finland at the Pro7 Wok World Championship or with surprise appearances on Circus Halligalli, where they amazed Joko & Klaas.

But Lordi aren't just known for their spectacular costumes. The band has been committed to animal welfare for years and participated in a PETA campaign against animal testing. They also make a statement when it comes to style: in 2024, VogueScandinavia invited the band to pose for a cover story. As extraordinary fashion models, they presented vegan bags from renowned luxury brands like Gucci – a surprising and contemporary fusion of rock, fashion, and stance.

Musically, Mr. Lordi draws his inspiration from his passion for horror and action films, especially the "Die Hard" series. This

love is reflected in quirky song titles and wordplay such as "Happy New Fear," "Sir, Mr. Presideath, Sir," and "Scare Force One." His elaborate monster costumes are also his own creation: Mr. Lordi trained himself as a makeup and special effects artist. His own self-made costume features fold-out bat wings and platform shoes that are about 20 centimeters tall.

LORDI's overall artistic vision has long included their passion for extraordinary projects. The band developed their own themed haunted house, which has been touring Finnish folk festivals – particularly Tivoli Sariola – since 2022 and even features in the music video for "Borderline."

Twenty years after their historic Eurovision victory, LORDI stand for courage, originality, and proof that heavy metal can make history in the mainstream – with humor, attitude, and a healthy dose of monstrous charm.

Now it's time to properly celebrate this special anniversary of their Eurovision 2006 success, which is why the band has many special activities planned for 2026. The first news updates are imminent…