LORDI, the Finnish monster rock band led by Mr. Lordi (Tomi Putaansuu), won the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens with "Hard Rock Hallelujah," becoming the first rock or metal act ever to claim the title. With 292 points — a new contest record — LORDI pulverized the competition in elaborate monster costumes with pyrotechnics blazing. The victory was a seismic moment for heavy music: a song built on crushing riffs and theatrical horror imagery had beaten the entire pop-dominated Eurovision field. Finland had competed in the contest for 45 years without a single win before this night. The triumph validated the global appeal of metal, sparked a national celebration in Finland, and a public square in their hometown of Rovaniemi was later named in their honor.
