Supermonstars

"Kick up a row.
We're the Supermonstars.
We chant the anthem of the Phantoms.
Deal out the blows.
Like a Supermonstar.
We are humble to none,"
- Lordi





Okay, not my choice of music or a group I would ever want to see in concert...but I cannot live in Finland during this time and not talk about Eurovision or Lordi. Since 1956, members of the European Broadcasting Union have been participating annually. This international song contest begins as each country chooses a new singer/band and a specific song. This song is then submitted and performed live in a television programme transmitted across the Eurovision Network simultaneously to all countries. The programme is hosted by one of the participant countries (Helsinki this year), and the transmission is sent from the auditorium in the host city. During this programme, after all the songs have been performed, the countries then proceed to cast votes for the other countries' songs: nations are not allowed to vote for their own song. At the end of the programme, the winner is declared as the song with the most points. The winner receives, simply, the prestige of having won the Eurovision title of that year.


Inspired by KISS, Lordi was officially formed in 1996 and won Eurovision in 2006. They are widely known for their monster costumes and will not appear without them. If filmed without their masks, you will only see the back of their heads. The lead singer was even invited to a huge presidential gala last year but his mask was "not allowed." He opted to stay home then and his wife snuck in through the back door to avoid media. Since they won the 2006 title, Helsinki is hosting Eurovision this week. With the city noted to be spic and span and flags raised on every corner, it should be a crazy weekend here. Events are planned for each evening with the finals being held Saturday. The green, red, purple and orange countries above will be participating in the contest.