The new look of Finnish monster rock band Lordi

Horrific, cinematic and endlessly entertaining, Lordi are still very much a club band in the U.S., yet in their native land of Finland they've been superstars for a while. Maybe that's how they cranked out the cash for elaborate costumes, deluxe art work and pristine production. And it certainly explains how put together such a stark, gloomy and expensive looking video for "Bite it Like a Bulldog," the first single from their new album, Deadache, which comes out October 28, just in time for Halloween.

Here's what frontman Mr. Lordi told HeadbangersBlog.com about the clip, which was directed by Limppu Lindberg. "We wanted to achieve something that breaks the tradition of Lordi videos. The director has been my graphic 'right hand' for years, and we felt that it was time to let him have a try on this side, too. His previous work includes videos for Children Of Bodom, Norther and many other Finnish metal bands."

For the video, the band wanted to get away from the straightforward work they've done in the past and try something more cryptic and dark. "The idea was to have a video with a not-so-simple and easily understandable storyline," Lordi said. "We wanted the clip to focus on the feeling of the song and the new, more grotesque look of the band. The modern horror film classics such as 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' remake and 'Hostel' were the starting points and the influence for the visual look."

"Bite it Like a Bulldog" was shot over two straight days in Rovaniemi, a town in the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland. But despite the remote location and macabre atmosphere and party-vibe of the song, nothing of note happened at the shoot -- nothing but hard work and excellent performances. "Usually at video shoots, there really isn't any funny incidents happening to us," shrugs Lordi. "I don't know why that is. It's always about trying to beat the clock, so maybe there's no time for anything but work to happen."

Click "more" to watch the video for "Bite it Like a Bulldog," then see it on TV on Saturday night's "Headbangers Ball." Read more...

Professionally shot snippets of Judas Priest playing "Nostradamus" at last weekend's Download Festival has been posted on the festival's official Web site as part of a video montage that also features Kiss, Bullet For My Valentine and Madina Lake. (click "more" to see Rob's blinding costume). Read more...

Mark St. John, who played guitar for Kiss on their 1984 album, Animalize, died this morning from a cerebral hemorrhage, reported radio station KNAC. He was 51.

St. John was born in Anaheim, California and was teaching guitar when he was discovered by Kiss following the departure of Vinnie Vincent. Soon after appearing in the video for "Heaven's on Fire," St. John's hands were stricken with arthritis, which prevented him from playing. Bruce Kulick was hired to fill in on numerous tour dates, and by the end of the year, Kulick had replaced St. John entirely.

After leaving Kiss, St. John formed the glam metal band, White Tiger, which put out a self-titled disc in 1986. Following the group's break up, St. John briefly joined ex-Kiss drummer Peter Criss, then released his own solo EP, Mark St. John Project in 1999.

In memory of St. John, check out his only video with Kiss, "Heaven's on Fire."
Kiss HEAVENS ON FIRE

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Busy day for KISS fans -- In an attempt to put the kabosh on rumors of his demise, Ace Frehley issued this statement:

"Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated… I don't know how this ridiculous rumor got started…"

Naturally all this attention would be wasted if Ace didn't mention the fact that he's working on a solo album.

In other KISS solo news, Blabbermouth.net reports that while Paul Stanley's recent solo tour sold out in NYC and LA and almost sold out in Chicago, dates in Atlanta, Orlando didn't fare so well selling to 50% and 37% of capacity respectively. Stanley's solo effort Live to Win is out now.