From the NYT (thanks Pawan!):

HELSINKI, Finland — They have eight-foot retractable latex Satan wings, sing hits like “Chainsaw Buffet” and blow up slabs of smoking meat on stage. So members of the band Lordi expected a reaction when they beat a crooner of love ballads to represent Finland at the Eurovision song contest in Athens, the competition that was the springboard for Abba and Celine Dion.

…The lead singer, Lordi — a former film student who goes by his real name, Tomi Putaansuu, when not wielding a blood-spurting electric chain saw — is philosophical about the uproar.

The affair, Mr. Putaansuu says, has exposed the insecurity of a young country whose peculiar language is spoken by only six million people worldwide and whose sense of identity has been dented by being part of the Swedish kingdom and the Russian empire until gaining independence in 1917. Most Finns, he adds, would rather be known for Santa Claus than heavily made-up monster mutants…

…Dragging on a cigarette, Mr. Putaansuu added, “Finns nearly choked on their cereal when they realized we were the face Finland would be showing to the world.”…

…”Even if we lose the contest, we have already won,” Mr. Putaansuu said. “Many Finns would rather have sent someone boring and acceptable than to be represented by freaks like us.”

Fantastic! I hope they win!

Update: It looks like the original article was published here.

Update: THEY WON!!

And it’s on YouTube!

Update 2: Follow-up

From Century Media:

Century Media recording artists Angela Gossow (Arch Enemy) and Barney Greenway (Napalm Death) have been nominated for PETA2’s (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals) sexiest vegetarian of 2006, vote here.

Interviewed in 2005 for the PETA2 website (here), vocalist Barney Greenway and Napalm Death will be the first band to lend their image to PETA2’s new anti-vivisection campaign, “Save #99,” more info here. Calling vivisection, “the ultimate act of disrespect”

From PETA2.com:

Get those index fingers ready, gang, because it’s time for peta2’s second annual “World’s Sexiest Vegetarian” poll. We’re not sure if it’s all the antioxidant-filled veggie burgers or the tofu that gives vegetarians that certain glow, but whatever it is, it’s workin’ in their favor, because there are some mighty tasty meat-free folks out there.

We gotta warn you: Picking a winner from this year’s crop of sexy vegetarian nominees is gonna be tough. More of your favorite actors, musicians, athletes, and general celeb types are cutting meat out of their diets every day—in fact, new veggies are popping up so quickly that we can barely keep up! So check out the list, click away, and get your friends in on the act too.

Not sure exactly what to make of this… Do we have any vegetarian readers? Speak up!

Check out the teaser!

Brendon Small has posted some updates on his site:

Hey guys just a quick update on the DETHKLOK front:

First of all DETHKLOK premieres August 6th. Stay alive until then please. thank you.

Production is going really well. The show’s look has totally exceeded mine and Tommy’s expectations. We are working with the best artisist I’ve met (or haven’t met)- not that I haven’t met the Dethklok artists I have. and they’re awesome. Awesome at art.

And I’m REALLY excited about this: Last Friday we recorded Michael Amott (amazing guitarist) and man behind the kick ass band ARCH ENEMY. If you haven’t checked out Arch Enemy. do so. Michael was hilarious. And played a couple characters.

Afterwards we were joined with Jeff Loomis, Warrel Dane, and Steve Smythe of Seattle band NEVERMORE. Dudes. They were, again, great. Such a pleasure for me to hang out with these guys, huge huge respect and admiration. Check out NEVERMORE if you haven’t. and pay attention to how awesome Steve and Jeff’s guitar playing is. Jeff’s economy picking makes me curse my fat little sweaty fingers and weep. Hugely inspirational.

We have more metal dudes that we’re actively tracking down and putting on the show. I’m very happy that I have a job where I can contact my heroes and force them to work with me at the expense of lingering showbusiness awkwardness. If that isn’t metal I don’t know what is. Metal.

He also mentions that James Hetfield and Kirk Hammet did some voices, which is disappointing, but I think having Mike Amott, Jeff Loomis, Warrel Dane, and Steve Smythe contributing makes up for it.

If you still can’t get enough Dethklok news, search the iTunes music store for “adult swim” and you’ll find two video podcasts of Brendon talking about the show.