HIM is an intriguing band, they have this gorgeously melodic sound unlike most anything that I have come into contact in recent years. The best I can think of to describe it is gothic love metal, which I believe to be pretty close to what their fans call it. I am a relatively recent discoverer of their music, so while this is a greatest hits collection, it is my first exposure to any of them. This is a strong collection of songs that can only be called metal by the loosest of definitions, but it seems to fit the melodic nature of the band more so than the rock moniker. Whatever you call it, you cannot help but get caught up in the haunting music.
My very first exposure to HIM came from the MTV metal collection Headbanger's Ball: The Revenge. That set contained the song "Vampire Heart" from their latest studio album Darklight. It stood out from the surrounding songs by Avenged Sevenfold and Trivium, in a good way. It had an edge to it, finely polished and tinged in a deep red blood. It was not long before a copy of Darklight found its way into my collection, and gets regular play. That album is simply beautiful. Now, I have been able to expand my HIM horizons, and the future looks good.
The album was recently released by Universal Republic Records, although I am sure it was out last year on RCA. The re-release must have something to do with the record label shakeups that have gone on of late. Whatever the case, the album is in my hands and getting plenty of play. It contains 16 tracks, 2 previously unreleased, spanning their first seven years of releases, covering the four albums leading up to the release of Darklight.
One of the unreleased tracks, "And Love Said No," opens the album as a treat to longtime fans and a perfect introduction for newcomers looking to investigate the world of gothic love and death. The other unreleased track is "Solitary Man," a Neil Diamond cover, and a song that takes on a rather dark aura in this iteration. There is one other cover song that takes on a distinctly different feel is Cris Isaak's "Wicked Game," which seems perfectly suited to the gothic tinged Ville Valo's voice.
Article comments
1 - David
That is a nice assessment of the CD. I've seen them live a few times and it's quite an entertaining show. Valo's voice live is either hit or miss (I believe it has to due with the given venue) he is either phenomenal, or suffers from the acoustics of the venue. Either way, a damn good band.
2 - Kerri
I wholeheartely agree with your assessment of HIM as well. Ville Valo is by far the most brilliant songwriter that I have heard of in a very long time. If you like "Dark Light" and "Greatest Hits". then you must pick up "Deep Highlights and Brilliant Shadows", "Love Metal" and "Razorblade Romance". They are all AMAZING CDs filled with wonderfully original and eclectic sounding songs. I'm looking forward to the release of "Venus Doom" in September and hope that they play in NYC soon!
3 - Cat
Welcome to the world of H.I.M. This was a great article. You review was right on the money. Ville Valo has one of the most amazing talents for songwriting and live performance. Go see them live when you get the opportunity. "Venus Doom" the upcoming CD already sounds like it will be amazing. Thanks again for such a great article on an amazing band.
4 - Connie Phillips
Congrats! This article has been forwarded to the Advance.net websites and Boston.com.