LORDI Announces New Drummer

Finnish heavy metal monsters LORDI have announced the addition of drummer Otus to the group's ranks. Otus, whose name stands for "creature," is the tenth member in the LORDI family tree.

Commented LORDI mainman Mr. Lordi: "We are not really sure who or what he is, he is just … a creature, a thing (otus in Finnish). He is a mixture of a butcher, an executioner, an alien, a lizzard and a zombie. Tough dude. And definitely one of the ugliest members in our family..."

Otus will make his debut during LORDI's European tour, "Europe For Breakfast", which consists of 32 shows in 14 countries. The trek will kick off in St. Petersburg, Russia on November 5 and end in Hannover, Germany on December 19.

LORDI parted ways with drummer Kita earlier this month because he "made a decision to pursue his own career publicly as himself, without his alter ego Kita," according to a statement released by the band. "This is in direct conflict with one of the cornerstones of LORDI's image. Therefore it is not possible for him to continue as a member of the band anymore."

Kita's (real name: Sampsa Astala) band STALA & SO. (formerly SO.) is competing to represent Finland in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest.

"Babez For Breakfast", the fifth studio album from LORDI, sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 43 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

LORDI's previous album, "Deadache", opened with 1,700 units back in November 2008 to debut at No. 13 on the Top New Artist Albums chart.