The monster musicians from Finland known as LORDI are bringing back the balls to rock with a revamped line-up and their first new album since "Babez For Breakfast". I have really struggled to write this review, because I am a big supporter of this band. It gives me a total deadache, because I am just not overly impressed. My enthusiasm for this release, has sadly waned. This is a LORDI album, and I accept the absence of Lady Awa and Kita, but, c'mon Man, to end the album with a drum solo audition on "SCG6", and to release mediocre songs, is just not what I want to hear.

I admit, I was not a fan of "Babez" at first, but that album like "Deadache" eventually grew on me, because I love ugly and angry riffs and catchy choruses, something "To Beast Or Not To Beast" often lacks. I do not expect another "Arockalypse", but I know that these blood red madmen can do much better.

The opener anthem "We're Not Bad for the Kids (We're Worse)" is strong and in your face, verifying that the scarcastic paradoxical children of the night are unleashing their inner beast and biting back like a rabid bulldog. Ending the album with the "Fuck You Asshole" chorus of "Sincerely With Love" demonstrates their honesty and integrity, such that LORDI are making their own rules, forging their own path, and staying true to their mettle hearts. I dutifully respect this DIY motif!

"I Luv Ugly" has a "Who's Your Daddy" fashion dull feel, but "The Riff" is a bit too anecdotal.  After all this is Heavy Metal, but the disco evil intro makes one beg to differ, and I cringe. I understand the need for eerie keys, but at times they make the music almost too radio accessible.

"Something Wicked" is a bit too slow and derivative. It seems like they are trying too hard to get heavier. Overall, this devilish charm is a loser in my book. "Happy New Fear" is a bit OTT, and it may be time to call the rock police to arrest any more urges to be this trite and unoriginal. You would think this would have been the first song on the album, given the final countdown at the end.
"I'm The Best" is too pretentious, but the punch and drunk aggression does make it rock the hell out of you, nevertheless.

Thankfully, "Horrorfiction" re-inspires that supernatural high with a well-constructed song and thought provoking lyrics, as I am sure Mr. Lordi like the horror genre he so adulates, is also tired of being accused of corrupting the youth. I agree, Horror movies do not make you become some psychotic killer, any more than Metal does. I have seen the bizarre 2008 "Dark Floors" movie and it is really well made, albeit totally surreal. I bought the DVD because I am a fan. This is the type of song I want to hear on a LORDI album! This song sounds like something off the mesmerizing "The Monsterician Dream".

It seems like these grisly goonies have gone crazy! These axe wielders of gore never know when to stop spilling the blood, and bludgeoning us with "been there, done that!" B$. I guess there is no such thing as too extreme! "Schizo Doll" sounds like Mr. Lordi is saying, "skin so dull"... such that when the sick dolled-up girls go chopping for this CD, they may just buy man skin boots, instead.

As LORDI gaze into their own dark reflection, and summon Candyman on "Candy For The Cannibal", they consume themselves in kitsch, and this is no chainsaw buffet or fatal feast. Mr. Lordi's constant stuttering is totally annoying, and I am ready to choke on it!

Sincerely with love, I honor LORDI, but this album is a small step back, and almost too commercial. Have they fallen down the spiral staircase of inspiration and mad intuition? I appreciate its "We do not give a shit what you think!" attitude, and I am grateful that I still find myself singing along to several songs. I am sure with repeated listens I will enjoy it even more. Hallelujah! At least the beast is still loose, and I know it is always paradise to catch them live, and hear the classics.