Artist: HIM
Album: "DARK LIGHT (CD)"

Year: 2005
Media type: CD

A massively successful Gothic Rock act led by the charismatic heart throb figure of frontman Valo Ville. H.I.M. have not only dominated the charts in their native Finland but also across Europe and in particular Germany. H.I.M. (abbreviated HIS INFERNAL MAJESTY) are managed by Seppo Vesteriren, the mastermind behind Finland’s only other commercially bankable Rock export HANOI ROCKS.

The original incarnation of H.I.M. saw Ville, a former member of BLOOD and KEMOTERAPIA, handling both bass and vocals. Guitars came from Mikko Lindstrom (‘Lily Lazer’ or ‘Daniel Lioneye’), Ville's BLOOD and KEMOTERAPIA compatriot, with drums from Juhana Rantala and keyboards delegated to Antto Melasniemi. Before long Mikko Paananen (a.k.a. ‘Michael Eros’ or ‘Mige Amour’) of BULLSHIT ASS took over the bass role leaving Ville free to concentrate on lead vocals. H.I.M.’s second demo tape, which included a cover version of CHRIS ISAAK’s ‘Wicked Game’, scored the band a deal with the major label BMG. With Melasniemi making his exit ex-MARY ANN man Zoltan Pluto was the new face behind the keyboards.

The ‘Razorblade Romance’ album broke new boundaries for the band, selling over a million copies. However, line-up shuffles saw Rantala departing after the album release, being replaced by erstwhile KYYRIA and DEMENTIA man Mika Kristian Kappinen, better known as ‘Buddha Cognac’ or ‘Gas Lipstick’. Zoltan Pluto put in his final gig with HIM on New Year’s Eve 2000, later founding NEW DAWN FOUNDATION. H.I.M. subsequently drafted ‘Emerson Burton’ (Jani Purttinen) on keyboards. Purttinen previously cited membership of SUB-URBAN TRIBE, TORPEDO and COSMOS TANGO.

The esteemed production team of TT Oksala, John Fryer and Kevin Shirley would take command in the studio for the 2001 ‘Deep Shadows And Brilliant Highlights’ album. A later German edition came repackaged complete with extra tracks and video cuts.

The band encountered an unexpected obstacle in mid 2002 when it was revealed that a Chicago act had already registered the band title HIM for the United States. In the face of less than savoury remarks from the American H.I.M. the Finns wryly serviced their single, 'Join Me', to US radio stations under the assumed title of HER.

With HIM's album 'Love Metal' breaking all over Europe, scoring no. 1 in Finland and Germany, the band teamed up with OZZY OSBOURNE as part of his roving 'Ozzfest' European dates in September. By early June 'Love Metal', which had signalled a return to the band's heavier sound, had been certified platinum status in Finland, having sold more than 30,000 copies. 'Love Metal' would fulfil the band's contract to BMG and by Sthe Summer it was learned H.I.M., projecting a live album for November release, were seeking a new label deal.

In August it was revealed that drummer had united with AMORPHIS singer Pasi Koskinen and bassist Niclas Etelavuori to found a new side project band. Coincidently, it would be leant HIM and AMORPHIS members had forged an anonymous Grindcore venture entitled TO SEPARATE THE FLESH FROM THE BONES.

European versions of the single 'Buried Alive By Love' would feature an exclusive in concert version of BLACK SABBATH's 'Hand Of Doom', recorded live in Turku. 2004 opened well for the band in the UK as their London Astoria gig sold out and the single 'The Funeral Of Hearts' crashed straight into the Uk charts at no. 15. A compilation album 'And Love Said No - The Greatest Hits 1997-2004' set for March release would include two brand new tracks 'And Love Said No' and a rendition of JOHNNY CASH's 'Solitary Man', songs for which the band had shot videos for in Philadelphia and Los Angeles in January. The collection entered the Finnish album charts at no. 2 and the German charts at no. 5. In the UK, 'Solitary Man' gave the band their highest ever chart entry when it debuted at no. 9. Headline gigs across North America in May witnessed many sold out shows. H.I.M. returned to the UK for a lengthy run od shows supported by British Doom merchants CATHEDRAL. The band signed to Sire Records, part of the Warner Music Group, in September, although would retain their own Heartagram label in Finland.

In October Ville Valo, alongside THE RASMUS' Lauri Ylonen, put in a guest appearance on the APOCALYPTICA single 'Better Sweet'. Both singers also put in showings in the accompanying promotional video. That same month the band's 2001 album 'Deep Shadows & Brilliant Highlights' finally saw a North American release, shifting 5,854 copies to debut at no. 190 on the national Billboard charts. Also in October it would be revealed that Ville and Gas Lipstick had donated their services to a Country / Blues covers album assembled by CARCASS frontman Jeff Walker. H.I.M. undertook a further round of North American shows to close the year, unfortunately though being forced to postponed the strategically important San Francisco and Los Angeles dates after singer Ville Valo was diagnosed with acute laryngitis.

The APOCALYPTICA 'Bittersweet' song, featuring both Valo and Ylonen, was premiered live on 17th January 2005 at a benefit concert for the victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster at Helsinki's 12,000 seat Hartwall Arena. H.I.M's 'Love Metal' finally saw a US release in February 2005, nearly two years after its European release, entering the Billboard charts at no. 17.

H.I.M. surprised German fans gathered for a fan club meeting at the Munich Backstage club on 2nd June by performing an unannounced live set. The group, warming up for festival appearances at the 'Rock am Ring' and 'Rock im Park' events, included two brand new songs, 'Killing Loneliness' and 'Vampire Heart'. October headline gigs throughout the USA saw support from FINCH and SKINDRED as 'Dark Light' gave the band it's highest charting album to date, entering the Billboard charts at no. 18, selling more than 46,000 copies in its first week. In keeping with a by now established tradition, the record duly debuted at no. 1 in Finland.

TRACKLIST:

01. Vampire heart
02. Rip out the wings of a butterfly
03. Under the rose
04. Killing loneliness
05. Dark light
06. Behind the crimson door
07. The face of God
08. Drunk on shadows
09. Play dead
10. In the nightside of Eden

LINE-UP:

Valo Hermanni Ville (vocals)
Daniel Lioneye (guitar)
Michael Eros (bass)
Emerson Burton (keyboards)
Buddha Cognac (drums)

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