Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
The Irish singer and three-time Eurovision winner Johnny Logan and the Finnish hard rock artist Lordi, winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2006, have realised a joint project in which both reinterpreted the other’s most famous song. Logan recorded a pop-rock version of “Hard Rock Hallelujah”, while Lordi, together with singer „Motherbeast“ Noora Louhimo, produced a new metal-ballad version of “Hold Me Now“.
The idea emerged during a spontaneous phone call. “The meeting was scheduled for 15 minutes and then lasted over an hour. We immediately hit it off,” says Logan. The original idea of a duet for the 20th anniversary of Lordi’s ESC victory was quickly discarded in favour of a song swap. “When I heard Lordi’s demo of their winning song tailored to me, I knew right away that I wanted to do it.”
Logan, who made music history with “What’s Another Year” (1980), “Hold Me Now” (1987) and “Why Me” (1992), recorded his vocals in Copenhagen. “The song had incredible energy from the very first moment,” says the singer. He was also impressed by the reinterpretation of his own classic: “Lordi and Noora Louhimo have completely made ‘Hold Me Now’ their own.”
Lordi, whose ESC victory in 2006 brought Finland its first triumph in the competition and took “Hard Rock Hallelujah” into the charts across Europe, took over the creative direction. “The driving force behind the project is clearly Lordi – his idea, his production, his vision,” Logan emphasises. The collaboration developed into a personal connection. “We share the same dark humour and the same passion for music. This project was simply a unique pleasure.”
Lordi added: “We really wanted to do something special to celebrate Lordi’s 20th anniversary of eurovision victory as well as the 70th anniversary of the whole eurovision itself. So the out- come are the two eurovision winning songs as new arrangements and jumping bravely to other genres while doing so. I rearranged, and also recomposed, ‚Hard Rock Hallelujah‘ in the style of what I thought would fit Johnny Logan. Lordi the band played the track, but Mr. Eurovision replacing me on vocals.
We also rearranged Johhny Logans ‚Hold Me Now‘ into a Lordi-styled version, with ‚Motherbeast‘ Noora Louhimo sharing the mic with me. Both of these singles came out to be even better than I thought they would be. I knew they will be insanely good, but they turned out to be insanely awesome. After hearing Johnny Logan adding his legendary voice on this new version of ‚HRH‘, it made me laugh out loud out of sheer joy, that’s how great it is! And for ‚Hold Me Now‘, I knew we needed some extra spice or kick to the song. Well, that extra kick was ‚The Motherbeast‘ with her mind blowing voice that lifted up this version to completely new heights.
I know I am speaking on behalf of our whole band when I say that we’re both humbled and proud of having both of these iconic voices of their respective genres to collaborate with us. Having Logan and Louhimo joining Lordi on this little anniversary celebration is truly an honor for us.”
„Motherbeast“ Noora Louhimo is also thrilled about the recordings: ” ‘Motherbeast‘ has awaken from her beauty sleep and is ready to spread her wings, and show her Hornthrown once again, making her solo metal debut performance by joining her force with the mighty monster beast – Lordi. I am so excited of our collaboration and this new friendship we have created with Lordi in the past few months.
I get to combine many of my dreams in this project – working with Lordi, two Eurovision winners (Lordi and Johnny Logan), singing a Eurovision winner song, singing a great ballad, and do it in Heavy Metal style. I love our version and I’m so happy this is my first release after continuing my career as full time solo artist. I will continue the story of ‚Motherbeast‘ as one of the main characters in my artist universe.
Keep your heart open to new, ears and eyes open, horns up, and stay tuned my little beasts. There will be so much more to come!”
This year, due to the ESC boycott supported by Ireland, Johnny Logan cannot appear at the Eurovision Song Contest. “I would have loved to present the project live as well, but under the current circumstances that’s not possible,” Logan explains. Lordi, on the other hand, will be on stage at this year’s competition. “I’m very happy for Lordi that they are taking part this special year concerning their anniversary,” Logan says, delighted for the Finnish hard rockers.
Listen to “Hold Me Now” by clicking here.
Listen to “Hard Rock Hallelujah” by clicking here.
