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Finnish rockers 'not Satanists' (Euro Song Contest Winners)
The BBC ^
| May 22, 2006
| BBC
Posted on 05/22/2006 2:14:08 PM PDT by Murtyo
Finnish Eurovision winners Lordi have been defended against claims of Satanism by their country's ambassador to the UK.
"This is entertainment," Jaakko Laajava told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. "Let's not take this too seriously."
"They have produced an album called The Devil Is A Loser and maybe that tells a little bit about this," he continued.
The mask-wearing hard rock band have been accused of promoting Satanism by some conservative Greek organisations.
We are all very thrilled and encouraged by this Jaakko Laajava, Finnish ambassador Their win "shows that people are seeking something to prop themselves on and fill their empty souls," said Archbishop Christodoulos of the Greek Orthodox Church in a sermon on Sunday.
The band's lead singer, also called Lordi, has addressed the complaints, insisting: "We are not Satanists. We are not devil-worshippers. This is entertainment."
First win
Finland has embraced the band since their Eurovision win in Athens on Saturday, despite earlier concerns that they would tarnish the country's reputation.
"We have not been really spectacularly successful in Eurovision before," said Ambassador Laajava, "and we are all very thrilled and encouraged by this."
The ambassador said he was comfortable with the image of Finland being portrayed by the heavy metal "monsters".
"There are other very successful heavy metal bands in Finland [who are] known also here in Britain - Nightwish, HIM, Rasmus and others.
"So there is some tradition in this area."
Saturday's ceremony marked Finland's first Eurovision victory. The country has finished in last place eight times.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: eurovision; eurovisionsong; finland; finnish; gqmodels; hellosailor; lordi; satan; satanism; satanists; songcontest; texaslightning
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1
posted on
05/22/2006 2:14:12 PM PDT
by
Murtyo
To: Murtyo
GWAR should so kick their asses for stealing their shtick.
2
posted on
05/22/2006 2:15:42 PM PDT
by
rattrap
To: Murtyo
They look like Orcs on a bad-hair day.
3
posted on
05/22/2006 2:16:00 PM PDT
by
Redcloak
(Speak softly and wear a loud shirt.)
To: Murtyo
Are they the winners because they crossed the Finnish line first?
4
posted on
05/22/2006 2:16:36 PM PDT
by
Hegemony Cricket
(Seems to me you've lived your life like a Camel in the wind - blowing smoke from both ends)
To: Murtyo
5
posted on
05/22/2006 2:16:41 PM PDT
by
Borges
To: Murtyo
So this group is the winner of what amounts to 'European Idol'? No wonder the continent has gone to hell.
6
posted on
05/22/2006 2:17:07 PM PDT
by
AD from SpringBay
(We have the government we allow and deserve.)
To: Hegemony Cricket
7
posted on
05/22/2006 2:17:10 PM PDT
by
Murtyo
To: Murtyo
That band is pretty awesome. "Hard Rock Hallelujah" and "Devil Is a Loser."
8
posted on
05/22/2006 2:17:18 PM PDT
by
Tim Long
(I spit in the face of people who don't want to be cool.)
To: Murtyo
9
posted on
05/22/2006 2:17:33 PM PDT
by
Hegemony Cricket
(Seems to me you've lived your life like a Camel in the wind - blowing smoke from both ends)
To: rattrap
10
posted on
05/22/2006 2:18:34 PM PDT
by
fhlh
(Polls are for Strippers.)
To: AD from SpringBay
it's a kind of nationalistic thing. with each nation sending one band/song to represent it. about 30 countries send a representative and each nation votes at the end of the contest.
11
posted on
05/22/2006 2:19:04 PM PDT
by
Murtyo
To: Murtyo
The good news is: their chances of contracting an STD are slim.
12
posted on
05/22/2006 2:19:36 PM PDT
by
Izzy Dunne
(Hello, I'm a TAGLINE virus. Please help me spread by copying me into YOUR tag line.)
To: Murtyo
Their parents must be so proud.
To: Bacon Man; Hap; humblegunner; Allegra
Now this is a band I'd like to see live.
I think.
14
posted on
05/22/2006 2:27:54 PM PDT
by
Xenalyte
(Anything is possible when you don't understand how anything happens.)
To: Murtyo
Europe's solution for recycling garbage: wear it.
To: rattrap
GWAR should so kick their asses for stealing their shtick. Right after KISS kicks GWAR's a$$es, right? ;-)
16
posted on
05/22/2006 2:30:48 PM PDT
by
TChris
("Wake up, America. This is serious." - Ben Stein)
To: Murtyo
"it's a kind of nationalistic thing. with each nation sending the worst band/song to represent it. about 30 countries send a representative and each nation votes at the end of the contest. ......there.....fixed it.......
17
posted on
05/22/2006 2:33:09 PM PDT
by
spokeshave
(I'd rather go hunting with Dick Cheney than drive over a bridge with Ted Kennedy)
To: spokeshave
18
posted on
05/22/2006 2:35:20 PM PDT
by
Murtyo
To: Murtyo
I swear my niece has dated at least 3 of those guys...
19
posted on
05/22/2006 2:39:51 PM PDT
by
Abathar
(Helen Thomas's first job was the test dummy at the Ugly Stick Manufacturing Co.)
To: Murtyo
Germany's 2006 Euro Song Contest Participants: Texas Lightning (15th place out of 24)
20
posted on
05/22/2006 2:40:07 PM PDT
by
Berlin_Freeper
(ETERNAL SHAME on the Treasonous and Immoral Democrats!)
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