Sending up Kylie Minoque

Sending up Kylie Minoque

These days, many heavy metal acts take themselves way too seriously - cue the onslaught of thematic concept albums and mind-boggling lyrics about love, grief and death.

Not Australian power metal quartet LORD though. Bassist Andy Dowling admits that one of the group's biggest hits to date is a wacky, tongue-in-cheek cover of Australian pop queen Kylie Minogue's electropop ditty On A Night Like This.

Their version of the song - which is accompanied by a hilarious music video featuring an effeminate, lipstick-wearing dude dropping his pants in front of the disgusted band members - was a track from their 2009 studio album Set In Stone.

"We were on the way home after a gig when we heard On A Night Like This on the radio," Dowling, 29, told LOUD over the phone from his home in Sydney.

"Tim (Grose, LORD's lead vocalist) suggested we jam it, so shortly after, we started playing around with the track. "It was a lot of fun! Of course we made it heavier and manlier, you know, gave it more muscle, but ultimately, we still respect the original."

Besides Dowling, LORD - who started out as Dungeon in 1989 and changed their name to LORD in 2005 - have released 14 full-length albums and include Grose, 42, guitarist Mark Furtner, 33, and drummer Damian Costas, early 30s.

FIRST TIME IN SINGAPORE

Local fans can catch the long-haired foursome live in Singapore for the first time next month. The band might just surprise you with yet another adrenaline-fuelled, pumped-up cover song.

"A year after we did On A Night Like This, we covered a popular 80s pop number, Cutting Crew's I (Just) Died In Your Arms," said Dowling. "We did it to amuse people, it's for a good laugh." That said, he stressed that none of them in LORD are metal purists.

"As far as metal goes, yes, we like and are influenced by bands such as Iron Maiden, Helloween, Dokken and Queensryche. But collectively, we listen to pop and rock too," he said.

Regarded as metal heroes back in their homeland, they have opened for veterans Megadeth, Saxon, and Yngwie Malmsteen when the acts toured Australia. Supporting Megadeth was a truly memorable experience, recalled Dowling.

"Megadeth set the example of what we want to achieve," he said. "They were very professional musicians. In our interactions with them, they were really nice people and very courteous."

Their upcoming ticketed gig at Home Club - which features opening local acts like Rudra and Truth Be Known - marks the group's maiden trip to Singapore. "I've heard much about Singapore, the most exciting part is definitely having the opportunity to play," said Dowling.

 

FYI

WHAT: LORD Digital Live 2013 Tour - Asia
WHEN: Sept 14, 2.30pm
WHERE: Home Club, #B1-01/06 The Riverwalk, 20 Upper Circular Road
TICKETS: $47 from www.apesnap.com/event/LORD or Inokii, Roxy Records and Big Chef Grill & Cafe

 

keeyunt@sph.com.sg


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