HIM is a Finnish band that seemingly defies conventional band store categorization. The band has been alternatively placed under the genres of rock and metal. This isn’t the end of the attempt to define the group though since it has also been variously placed under the sub genres of gothic, hard, doom and alternative. There are just so many different ways of looking at the band’s work. Clearly though, it doesn’t seem to matter what their music is most like.

Symbolism

It just so happens that the label most commonly used to refer to HIM’s musical style is love metal. This is often characterized as a fusion of heavy metal, gothic melodies, rock, pop and glam, which is generally credited as the creation of the group’s lead singer, Ville Valo.

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 group started as His Infernal Majesty. It was only during the Wicked Game single in 1998 that the band officially changed its name to HIM. As such, the Finnish love metal band is not to be confused with other bands like the Canadian trash metal band Infernal Majesty, the American post-rock band HiM and the contemporary Christian group 4Him.

Incidentally, the band bought the rights to the name from HiM and has since used it in their worldwide tours and albums. Previously, they used the name HER for Razorblade Romance, which was their sophomore album, as well as HIM and HER during tours in Europe.

Just like any rock band, the group has had its share of musical chairs amongst its members. At present, the band is composed of Ville Valo on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Mikko Lindstrom on lead and acoustic guitar; Mikko Paananen on bass guitar and backing vocals; Mika Karppinen on drums and percussion; and Janne Puurtinen on keyboard and backing vocals. The former members included Juippi, Juha Tarvonen and Juhana Tuomas Rantala on drums and percussion; Antto Melasniemi, Sergei Ovalov and Jussi-Mikko Salminen on keyboards; and Oki on guitar.

Released Albums

To date, the band has released 7 studio HIM albums, 1 live album, 6 compilation albums, 1 extended play, 22 singles, 4 video albums and 23 music videos. Indeed, this is a band that does not shy away from creativity, technology and new markets in its two decades in the music industry.

• 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

We can expect many more from the band that pioneered love metal. And that’s what we love about HIM. There’s no doubt that they’ll me on more band posters.

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By Andrew Liszewski

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[ Tengu All Stars ] VIA [ technabob ]