HIM- Pioneers of Love Metal
If there is one band from the beautiful city of Helsinki that often defies the labels slapped on bands, then it must be HIM. Music industry critics and band store owners have labeled the band’s music from the sub-genres of rock like gothic rock, alternative rock and hard rock and of metal like gothic metal, alternative metal and doom metal. There have been too many names but one thing is true, only the band members and their fans can decide what to label their music.
Band Symbol
Perhaps the closest label that can be pinned on HIM is love metal. This may seem like a strange category considering that it is in fact a mix of a variety of influences and approaches including gothic, rock, pop, glam and heavy metal. This unique brand of music is often said to be Ville Valo’s creation.
In accordance with its name, the so-called heartagram represents the band as well as the musical genre. Because of its wide popularity, Valo once remarked that the band is now better known for its symbol than its music.
Band History
The band was originally known as His Infernal Majesty. By 1998, the name was changed to HIM after the release of the Wicked Game single. The name however should not be taken as the same as American post rock group HiM, Christian group 4Him and Canadian metal band Infernal Majesty.
The group only really adopted the HIM name after it bought the rights of the name from HiM. Before they were able to obtain the rights, they used HER for Razorblade Romance, and HIM and HER for tours across Europe.
As with most bands in any genre, this Finnish group has had to deal with substantial lineup changes. Currently, Ville Valo is still onboard for lead vocals and acoustic guitar. He is joined by Janne Puurtinen on keyboards and backup vocals, Mikko Paananen on bass guitar and backup vocals; Mika Karppinen on drums and percussion; and Mikko Lindstrom on lead and acoustic guitar. The list of past members is a long one and includes Oki, Juippi, Sergei Ovalo, Jussi-Mikko Salminen, Juha Tarvonen, Antto Melasniemi and Juhana Tuomas Rantala.
Albums Out
The band is currently one of the most productive of modern bands. They have seven HIM albums, six compilations, one live album, one extended play, twenty-two singles, four video albums and twenty-three music videos. Some of their works are detailed below.
• Greatest Lovw Songs Vol. 666- This 1997 album is nowhere close to Satanic despite its title
• Razorblade Romance- This came out in 1999 and holds the record of being the top bestseller in the band’s country of origin
• Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights- This came out in 2001 and is the band’s third piece of work
• Love Metal- As the title suggests, this is the groups most definitive piece of work and came out in 2003 with the heartagram symbol featured for the first time
• Dark Light- This 2005 release included elements of mythology and current religions
• Venus Doom- This 2007 release is widely regarded as the heaviest piece of work the band has produced
• Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice- This newest 2010 release is considered by Valo to be a cathartic, primal scream
The band has definitely been busy through the years it has been together. There is every reason to believe that fans can see this group in more band posters in the succeeding years.
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