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HIM (Finnish band)

January 19, 2024

HIM (sometimes stylized as H.I.M.) was a Finnish gothic rock band from Helsinki. First formed in 1991 by vocalist Ville Valo and bassist Mikko "Mige" Paananen under the name His Infernal Majesty, the band broke up after only a few years, only to be reformed in 1995 by Valo and guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström. After being rejoined by Mige, as well as keyboardist Antto Melasniemi and drummer Juhana "Pätkä" Rantala, the band, now called HIM, released its debut album Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 in 1997. In 2000, now with drummer Mika "Gas Lipstick" Karppinen and keyboardist Juska Salminen, the band released Razorblade Romance, which reached the number one spot in Finland, Austria and Germany. The first single "Join Me in Death" also charted at number one in Finland and Germany, eventually going platinum and gold, respectively. Following the addition of Janne "Burton" Puurtinen on keyboards, HIM released Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights (2001) and Love Metal (2003). Both cracked the top ten in several countries and allowed the band to tour in the United Kingdom and the United States for the first time.

HIM
HIM performing at the Helsinki Ice Hall in December 2017
Background information
Also known as
  • His Infernal Majesty
  • H.I.M.
OriginHelsinki, Finland
Genres
Years active
  • 1991–1993
  • 1995–2017
Labels
SpinoffsDaniel Lioneye
Past members

In 2005, HIM released Dark Light, which became the group's most commercially successful album to date. HIM also became the first Finnish group in history to receive a gold record in the US. In 2007, HIM released Venus Doom, the making of which was marred by problems in Valo's personal life. Nevertheless, the album gave the band its highest chart position in the US at number twelve. After 2010's Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice, HIM went on a hiatus after Gas Lipstick was forced to take medical leave. Following several months of uncertainty, the band regrouped and released the album Tears on Tape in 2013. Gas Lipstick announced his departure from the band in 2015 and was subsequently replaced by Jukka "Kosmo" Kröger. On 5 March 2017, HIM announced that the band would be disbanding following a farewell tour in 2017. The band played its final show on New Year's Eve 2017 as a part of its annual Helldone Festival.

HIM is one of the most commercially successful Finnish bands of all time, with sales of over ten million records. HIM has also received numerous accolades, including eight Emma Awards. The band is known for its distinct sound, which combines more melodic and melancholic elements with heavier influences. This made it difficult for audiences to categorize HIM's music, which led to the band coining the term "love metal". HIM is also known for its logo, the heartagram, which has made numerous appearances in other media.

History edit

Early years (1991–1996) edit

 
 
Ville Valo (left) and Mige (right) formed His Infernal Majesty in 1991 (pictured here in 2013)

The first incarnation of HIM was formed in 1991 by childhood friends Ville Valo and Mikko "Mige" Paananen in Helsinki, Finland. Valo played six-string bass, which substituted for guitar, while Mige also played bass. The band had two rotating drummers: Sami "Juippi" Jokilehto and Juha Tarvonen.[1][2][3] Dubbed His Infernal Majesty, other names considered for the band included Black Earth, Black Salem and Kafferi.[4] After recording its first demo Witches and Other Night Fears,[5] His Infernal Majesty played its first show on New Year's Eve 1992 at the Semifinal in Helsinki. The band broke up shortly thereafter, when Mige began his national military service.[2][6][7] In 1995, His Infernal Majesty was reformed by Valo and guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström. Together they recorded a four-track demo, which featured Valo on drums and vocals, and Linde on guitar and bass. Valo originally intended to remain as the bassist for the group, but took up the role of lead vocalist out of necessity, after they were unable to find another singer.[7][8] Eventually the two were joined by returning bassist Mige and drummer Juhana "Pätkä" Rantala. The group played its first show on 19 December 1995 at the Teatro in Helsinki, opening for Kauko Röyhkä. The band's next show was also at the Teatro, this time performing Type O Negative covers, for which they recruited keyboardist Janne "Burton" Puurtinen.[9]

His Infernal Majesty continued to record several more demos, sending them to Nuclear Blast, Roadrunner and Spinefarm Records, among others, all of whom passed on the band.[10] Eventually they were signed to BMG by production manager Asko Kallonen, who was impressed by the band's cover of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game".[7][11] In October 1996, the band, now called HIM, released the EP 666 Ways to Love: Prologue. Recorded in only five days and produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa, the EP also featured Oskari "Oki" Kymäläinen on guitar, but he was fired from the group after allegedly having an affair with Pätkä's girlfriend.[12] 666 Ways to Love: Prologue debuted at number sixteen on the Finnish Singles Chart and peaked at number nine five weeks later.[13] The band played a special album release show at the Tavastia Club on 19 October 1996, before starting a full tour, for which they recruited keyboardist Antto Melasniemi.[14]

Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 and Razorblade Romance (1997–2000) edit

HIM began recording its full-length debut album in 1997 with Hiili Hiilesmaa once again producing. Due to the band's minimal studio experience, Hiilesmaa played a critical role in helping "build HIM's sound", for which Valo dubbed him the honorary sixth member of the group.[15] Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 was released in Finland on 3 November 1997 and internationally a year later.[16] The album charted in Finland and Germany, peaking at number four in the former.[17][18] The singles "When Love and Death Embrace" and "Your Sweet 666" also cracked the top ten in the band's home country.[19][20] Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 received positive reviews from critics, with AllMusic describing the album as having "a very diverse sound" and ultimately succeeding "in pleasing everyone, whether they're into rock or pop."[21] Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 would eventually go platinum in Finland.[22] HIM also went on to win Newcomer of the Year and Debut Album of the Year at the 1997 Emma Gala.[23] The supporting tour for Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 began in mid-December 1997 at the Maxim in Kuopio.[24] Prior to HIM's first international tour, the band decided to fire keyboardist Antto Melasniemi, as they felt he was too disorganized and scatterbrained. He was replaced by Jussi-Mikko "Juska" Salminen.[25] After returning to Finland, the band also parted ways with Pätkä. According to the band, Pätkä's girlfriend had become pregnant, which left him with limited time to rehearse. He was replaced by Mika "Gas Lipstick" Karppinen.[26]

 
HIM performing at Provinssirock in June 1999

In January 1999, HIM began demoing material for its next album with Hiili Hiilesmaa.[27] These sessions proved to be unsuccessful, however, and the band decided to relocate to Rockfield, Wales with producer John Fryer.[7][27] In November 1999, HIM released the single "Join Me in Death", which charted at number one in Finland and Germany.[28][29] The single would eventually go platinum in Finland, as well as gold in Germany and Austria.[22][30][31] At the 1999 Emma Gala, HIM were named Export of the Year.[23] On 31 December 1999, the band performed at the Tavastia Club in Helsinki, Finland, which turned into a New Year's tradition for the group.[32] HIM's second album Razorblade Romance was released on 24 January 2000.[33] It peaked at number one in Finland, Austria and Germany.[34][35][36] The album would eventually be certified double platinum in Finland, triple gold in Germany, as well as gold in Austria.[22][30][31] Four more singles were released, all of which reached the top five on the Finnish Singles Chart. Razorblade Romance was mostly well received by critics. Soundi gave the album four out of five stars, while Blabbermouth.net called it "yet another amazingly crafted album from Europe's best-kept secret."[37][38] At the 2000 Emma Gala, HIM was named Band of the Year and Razorblade Romance Album of the Year. The group also received the Viewers' Choice Award and the Video of the Year award for "Join Me in Death" at the 2000 VIVA Comet Awards.[23][39] During the supporting tour for Razorblade Romance, HIM played its first shows in the United Kingdom.[7][40] As the tour progressed, however, the band began to feel exhausted. They were also hit with several near-fatal accidents, where Valo nearly fell off a balcony and Salminen ended up in the emergency room after a prank gone wrong.[41] By the band's own account, HIM nearly broke up, though they eventually regrouped and began rehearsing for another album.[42]

Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights and Love Metal (2001–2004) edit

In late 2000, HIM began demoing material for its third album with producer T. T. Oksala. Satisfied with the results, the band initially wanted to release these demos as its next album. However, BMG resisted and brought producer Kevin Shirley on board to work on the record.[43] Around this time, keyboardist Juska Salminen was also fired from the group after missing several rehearsals.[44] Salminen would later attribute his departure to burnout.[45] He was replaced by Janne "Burton" Puurtinen. The recording process for HIM's third album lasted approximately eleven months, which greatly affected the material.[2] Valo later explained: "When we started recording the third album, we were into stoner rock and Black Sabbath [...] At the end we were into Neil Young and it shows on the record."[46] According to Valo, outside influences within the music industry also contributed to the extended recording process.[2] HIM's third album Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights was eventually released on 24 August 2001.[47] The record peaked at number one in Finland and Austria,[48][49] and at number two in Germany and Switzerland.[50][51] The album would eventually go platinum in Finland and gold in Austria.[22][31] Three singles were released, all of which reached the top five in Finland. Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights received mixed reviews, with AllMusic calling it "way too clean" and "utterly boring".[52] This was echoed by Soundi, who called the album "ideal music for girls, who don't dig the music, but Ville Valo's looks and his lyrics' decadent imagery."[53] Blabbermouth.net, meanwhile, was more positive, stating that "in purely artistic and commercial terms [...] HIM have made the logical follow-up album to one of last year's highlights, and they continue to cement their reputation as one of the most unique and consistent rock acts around."[54] HIM was once again named Export of the Year at the 2001 Emma Gala.[23] The band also received the Viewers' Choice Award at the VIVA Comet Awards.[55]

In 2002, HIM was involved in a rights dispute over its name in the United States.[56] As "HIM" was already owned by the drummer of a Chicago jazz fusion band of the same name, the Finnish HIM was renamed HER in the US, until a settlement was reached between the two parties, which allowed both to use the moniker.[57][58] On 7 October 2002, the band released The Single Collection, a set containing all the group's singles, along with a previously unreleased single of "It's All Tears".[59] That same month, HIM's official biography Synnin viemää, written by J. K. Juntunen, was released.[60] The supporting tour for Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights once again exhausted the band nearly to the point of breaking up,[61] but it also brought the group closer together.[2] HIM also played its first concert in the United States at a one-off show organized by professional skateboarder and television personality Bam Margera. He would go on to work with the band extensively, promoting them and directing several of their music videos.[2][7][62]

 
Ville Valo performing with HIM in Norfolk, Virginia, 2004

Following a two month break in early 2002, HIM regrouped and began rehearsing for its next album, which saw the band working with Hiili Hiilesmaa again.[63] The band viewed the record as a reaction to the difficulties they faced during Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights. According to Valo: "After what we considered a disappointment with Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights, because there were so many chefs in the kitchen, we wanted to be a band [...] that we control what we do, and everybody else can fuck off." This new determination was underlined by the decision to include the band's logo, the heartagram, prominently on the front cover. Valo called this "a statement of intent [...] musically, visually and ideologically".[2] HIM's fourth studio album Love Metal was released on 11 April 2003,[64] and it reached the top five in four countries, peaking at number one in Finland and Germany.[65][66] It also became the group's first album to chart in the UK at number 55.[67] Love Metal would be certified platinum in Finland and gold in Germany.[22][30] Three singles were released, with "The Funeral of Hearts" peaking at number one in Finland.[68] The music video was later named Best Video at the 2004 Kerrang! Awards.[69] Love Metal was well received by critics, with Soundi giving it three out of five stars,[70] while AllMusic noted how "the songwriting is as strong as it has been in quite some time and a newly found sense of urgency keeps the record going at a well-tempered pace".[71]

Following Love Metal's release, HIM embarked on its first US tour, which was entirely sold-out.[2][72] In August 2003, HIM parted ways with BMG, having fulfilled its contractual obligations to the label. The band were also set on releasing a live album, tentatively titled Live Metal, in November 2003, but the record was ultimately scrapped in favor of new material.[73][74] In March 2004, HIM released And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004, which peaked at number two in Finland and number five in Germany.[75][76] It also went gold in the band's home country.[77] Aside from previously released material, the collection also included two new songs, "And Love Said No" and a cover of Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man". The singles peaked at number one and two, respectively, in Finland,[78][79] while "Solitary Man" reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart.[80] In September 2004, HIM signed a new recording contract with Sire Records, who would handle all the band's future releases in Europe, North America, Japan and Australia. In Finland, HIM's future releases would be handled through the band's own label Heartagram.[81] On 7 December 2004, HIM released The Video Collection: 1997–2003, a DVD featuring all the band's music videos.[82] HIM was also voted 2004's Band of the Year by the readers of Metal Hammer magazine.[83]

Dark Light and Venus Doom (2005–2008) edit

 
HIM performing at Provinssirock in June 2006

On 17 January 2005, HIM performed at the Yhteinen ASIA benefit concert for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, along with The Rasmus, The 69 Eyes, Apocalyptica and Negative.[84] In March, the band relocated to Los Angeles to begin work on its fifth studio album with producer Tim Palmer.[85] That same month, Himmeetä valoa, a documentary about the group, premiered on Yle TV2.[86] The following May, HIM released Love Metal Archives Vol. I, a collection of music videos, live performances and other bonus material.[87][88] It debuted at number one in Finland and at number two in Germany.[88][89] Within a few weeks, the collection had gone gold in Finland.[90] On 26 September 2005, HIM released its fifth studio album Dark Light, which became the group's most successful album to date.[91] It charted in sixteen countries, being certified platinum in Finland, as well as gold in Germany, the UK, and the US.[22][30][92][93] Four singles were released, with "Wings of a Butterfly" and "Killing Loneliness" reaching number one and two, respectively, on the Finnish Singles Chart.[94][95] The former also cracked the top ten in the UK.[96] Dark Light received mixed reviews from critics. The New York Times described the material as "sturdier than ever", while Q Magazine called the album "a collection of irresistible pop-rock anthems". NME, meanwhile, described the record as "wimpy", while AllMusic branded it as "glossy and user-friendly".[97][98] At the 2005 Emma Gala, Dark Light was named Rock Album of the Year, while "Wings of a Butterfly" received the award for Song of the Year.[23]

In September 2005, HIM embarked on European club tour to promote Dark Light.[99] This was followed by a North American leg in October.[100] In December, HIM expanded its annual New Year's Eve show into a three day festival called Helldone, named so after the group's booking agent Tiina Welldone and the city of Helsinki.[101][102] Following the shows, Linde Lindström fractured his wrist bone which forced HIM to postpone a tour of the UK and Ireland.[103] In March 2006, HIM embarked on its first Australian tour,[104] which was followed by the band's first shows in New Zealand and Japan.[103] In September, HIM cancelled its forthcoming North American tour in order to begin work on a new album.[105] Later that year, HIM released Uneasy Listening Vol. 1, a collection of rarities and alternate takes of previously released material.[106] The album peaked at number seven in Finland, while the double single "In Joy and Sorrow / Pretending" reached number one.[107][108]

 
HIM performing at Wembley Stadium in July 2007

In February 2007, HIM began recording its sixth album at Finnvox Studios with producers Hiili Hiilesmaa and Tim Palmer.[109] The making-of the album was plagued with problems in Ville Valo's personal life. His alcohol abuse had worsened, which resulted in him vomiting and defecating blood at one point. Things came to a head when Valo suffered a nervous breakdown during the recording process. While he did manage to recover momentarily, he began drinking again during the mixing process. Eventually Valo was admitted to the Promises Rehabilitation Clinic in Malibu by the band's manager Seppo Vesterinen.[7] The album's release date was also pushed back from July to September 2007.[110] In April, HIM released Uneasy Listening Vol. 2, which peaked at number twelve in Finland.[111] From 25 July to 3 September 2007, HIM toured the US with Linkin Park on the Projekt Revolution Tour, which also included My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday and Placebo.[112] Prior to the tour, HIM held a contest for fans to win a trip to meet them at the trek's opening date in Seattle. The winners of the contest would also be featured on a forthcoming live DVD.[113] In July, HIM played a number of concerts opening for Metallica, including a show at Wembley Stadium in London, England.[114]

On 14 September 2007, HIM released its sixth studio album Venus Doom,[115] which charted in the top ten in Finland, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.[116][117][118][119] It also gave the band its highest US chart position to date at number twelve.[120] The album would eventually go gold in Finland and Greece.[22][121] "The Kiss of Dawn" and "Bleed Well" were released as singles, with the former peaking at number two in Finland.[122] Venus Doom was well received by critics, with Spin calling the album "[maybe] the year's heaviest, creepiest, and sexiest hard-rock group effort", while NME declared it "an extremely well-executed pop-metal album."[123] AllMusic gave the album three-and-a-half stars out of five and found the band "back on track and sounding more metal than ever."[124] Venus Doom later garnered the band its first and only Grammy nomination for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package.[125] During the supporting tour, HIM recorded the live album Digital Versatile Doom at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, California.[126] Released on 29 April 2008, the album peaked at number ten in Finland.[127] The 2008 edition of Helldone was expanded into a tour, which took the festival around Finland, before returning to the Tavastia Club on New Year's Eve.[128]

Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice and Tears on Tape (2009–2014) edit

 
HIM performing in Los Angeles, California in April 2010

In August 2009, HIM entered the studio with producer Matt Squire to begin work on its seventh studio album.[129] For the first time in the band's career, Valo worked completely sober, which resulted in the group rehearsing more than ever before.[2] Titled Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice, the album was released on 8 February 2010.[130] It charted in ten countries, cracking the top ten in Finland, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.[131][132][133][134] The album also reached number one on the UK Rock & Metal Albums Charts and the US Hard Rock Albums Chart.[135][136] Screamworks was certified gold in Finland.[22] "Heartkiller" and "Scared to Death" were released as singles, with the former peaking at number five in Finland.[137] Screamworks was mostly well received by critics, with Alternative Press describing it as "ultimately successful in its blending of melody and muscle", while Billboard felt it was "a mixed bag, but an appealingly bold one."[138] A supporting tour began in February 2010 with several showcase dates in Europe, followed by an Australian leg as a part of the Soundwave Festival. Beginning in March, the band toured the UK and the US.[139][140] On 7 December 2010, HIM released SWRMXS, a remix album done in collaboration with various other artists, including as Tiësto, Morgan Page and Salem.[141] The 2010 edition of Helldone was cancelled, as the band opted to take a break instead.[142]

In March 2011, HIM announced it had parted ways with Sire Records, leaving the band without a label.[143] Later that year, HIM began work on its eight studio album, but rehearsals were cut short when Gas Lipstick was diagnosed with a repetitive stress injury and nerve damage in his hands. Gas' injury required extensive rest, which left the band in limbo, unsure whether to break up or find a replacement.[7] The band opted to wait and see if Gas' condition improved, and after eight months, they regrouped and resumed work on HIM's next album.[7] Valo later credited Gas' recovery for helping revitalize the band.[144] In October 2012, HIM released the compilation album XX – Two Decades of Love Metal.[145] The collection was preceded by a cover of Ké's "Strange World", which was originally scheduled for release on 21 September 2012. However, due to an online leak, the release was pushed up to 7 September.[146] XX – Two Decades of Love Metal peaked at number four in Finland.[147] Following a two year hiatus, HIM also brought back the Helldone Festival in December 2012.[148]

 
HIM performing at Ursynalia in June 2013

In February 2013, HIM announced that its forthcoming album would be released through Razor & Tie in North America, Double Cross in the UK and Ireland, and Universal Music in Europe.[149][150] On 26 April 2013, the band released its eight studio album Tears on Tape, which was once again produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa and mixed by Tim Palmer.[151] The record charted in nine countries, peaking at number two in Finland and Germany.[152][153] In the US, the album reached number fifteen on the Billboard 200.[154] Three singles were released, with "Into the Night" winning the Video of the Year award at the inaugural Noisecreep Creepies Awards.[155] Tears on Tape received mostly positive reviews, with Classic Rock calling it "a glorious return to form for one of the world's most peculiarly successful bands". This was echoed by Alternative Press, who stated that "within HIM's impressive canon, it's among their best." Kerrang! gave a less-favorable review, stating: "Tears On Tape isn't bad [...] it's just not as seductive as HIM can be."[156]

HIM was scheduled to begin its North American tour in support of Tears on Tape on 3 May 2013, but the tour was cancelled after Ville Valo suffered a severe asthma attack and was diagnosed with presumptive pneumonia.[157] After Valo recuperated, HIM took part in the Rock Allegiance Tour, along with Volbeat, All That Remains and Airbourne.[157][158] At the 2013 Revolver Golden Gods Awards, HIM received the award for Most Dedicated Fans.[159] In March 2014, the band embarked on its first South American tour.[160] That same month, HIM's first four albums were digitally reissued in the US by The End Records.[161] In May 2014, the band was scheduled to perform in China for the first time, but the first show in Shanghai was cut short by local authorities, while the second in Beijing was cancelled altogether, due to bad weather conditions.[162] In November 2014, HIM released Lashes to Ashes, Lust to Dust: A Vinyl Retrospective '96-'03, a box set containing the band's first four albums, along with 666 Ways To Love: Prologue, on 180-gram vinyl.[163] In support, HIM embarked on the Love Metal Archives Tour in December 2014.[164] The band also performed at Fields of the Nephilim's 30th anniversary shows in London, England.[165]

Final years and disbandment (2015–2017) edit

On 27 January 2015, Gas Lipstick announced his departure from HIM, after 16 years with the band. In his announcement, Gas stated: "There is no drama, bad blood or any negativity involved in my departure. I simply feel that it's time for me to move on as a musician."[166] HIM made its live debut following Gas's departure in July 2015, with a surprise show at the Qstock festival in Oulu, Finland. The show featured the debut of Gas' replacement, drummer Jukka "Kosmo" Kröger. Valo later stated that the band would begin work on a new album eventually, but no release date had been set.[167] On 5 December 2015, HIM performed at Knotfest in Toluca, Mexico, with Slipknot, Megadeth, and Lamb of God, among others.[168] In 2016, HIM took another hiatus, during which the band members focused on their various side projects.[169] Because of this, the 2016 edition of Helldone was cancelled.[170]

 
HIM performing in Manchester, England in December 2017

In October 2016, it was announced that HIM would be headlining the Tuska Open Air Metal Festival in 2017.[171] In January 2017, HIM was also named the headliner of Miljoona Rock.[172] On 5 March 2017, HIM announced that the band would be disbanding following a farewell tour later that year.[173][174] In the announcement, Valo stated: "After quarter of a century [sic] of love and metal intertwined we sincerely feel HIM has run its unnatural course and adieus must be said in order to make way for sights, scents and sounds yet unexplored. We completed the pattern, solved the puzzle and turned the key. Thank you."[173] Valo later elaborated on the band's decision to call it quits, stating: "We got together and started playing some songs and thinking whats next [...] We felt like the new material wasn't taking flight. We got along well together, but something was lacking. The stars weren't in alignment."[175] He also went on to say that: "We felt like there was nothing left to give collectively. It was fun playing the old songs, everybody got along well together, but that spark was missing." Valo didn't rule out the possibility of the band reuniting in the future, stating: "The good thing about this is that there's no drama [...] So it doesn't hurt the chances."[176]

A photo exhibition by Ville Juurikkala, titled HIM: Right Here In My Eyes, was held at the Helsinki Art Museum from 15 June to 3 July, featuring previously unseen photographs of the band preparing for its farewell tour.[177] In November 2017, the exhibition was also held at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in New York City.[178] HIM began its Bang and Whimper 2017 – The Farewell Tour on 14 June 2017 in Barcelona, Spain.[179][180] The tour was generally well received, with the Nottingham Post stating that HIM "truly went out with a 'bang'".[181] The band played its final show on New Year's Eve 2017 as a part of the Helldone Festival.[182]

Artistry edit

Musical style and lyrical themes edit

 
"When Love and Death Embrace" (1997)
"When Love and Death Embrace" has been described by Ville Valo as a good representation of HIM as a whole, featuring many of the band's key musical elements.[183][184]
Problems playing this file? See media help.
 
"Join Me in Death" (1999)
The lyrics to "Join Me in Death" caused some controversy upon release. It was accused of encouraging suicide, which Ville Valo denied, stating that the song was an interpretation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.[33]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Music critics have referred to the music of HIM as gothic rock,[97][98][185] gothic metal,[186][187][188][189] alternative rock,[190][191] alternative metal,[192] and dark rock.[193] The band has referred to its music as "love metal", the title of the group's fourth studio album. According to Ville Valo, the term "love metal" was coined as a response to people having difficulties categorizing HIM's music.[194] Regarding HIM's reputation as a "goth band", Valo stated: "We can't do anything about that [label], but I think we are a special shade of goth, more tender than others. In Finnish tradition, our music is very melancholic."[16] Valo has also described HIM's sound as "sentimental, hard-hitting rock music".[195] The band's intent has always been to combine more melodic and melancholic elements, with its heavier influences.[196] Valo has often cited Black Sabbath and Type O Negative as HIM's biggest sources of inspiration.[183][195][196] Some of the band's other influences include Paradise Lost, Anathema, My Dying Bride, Cathedral, Electric Wizard, Monster Magnet and Norwegian black metal.[197] Regarding HIM's sound, Valo has also stated that: "We never tried to claim that we have reinvented the wheel of rock 'n' roll. We've always been proud to be the torchbearers for Sabbath, Type O, Paradise Lost and Anathema, and a lot of those bands."[198] Helsingin Sanomat felt HIM achieved "major crossover appeal" by combining "traditional Finnish melancholia" with "gothic lyrics, walls of metal guitars, and keyboard riffs."[199]

On its debut album Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666, HIM's sound was viewed by music critics as a combination of heavy metal, and 1980s rock and goth music.[21] These influences were further explored on Razorblade Romance, which featured less focus on guitar, in favor of a sleeker production and a more melodic sound.[37][38][185] HIM continued to explore what critics perceived as a more commercial sound on its third album Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights, which was met with mixed reactions.[52][53][54] HIM's fourth album Love Metal is widely viewed by the band as the record where the group found its own sound, taking inspiration from bands such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Iggy Pop.[2][71][194] Dark Light was HIM's breakthrough album in the United States, and once again featured a glossier production.[98] According to Valo, 2007's Venus Doom was written with the intent of creating a much heavier and darker follow-up, influenced by the likes of My Dying Bride, Anathema and Paradise Lost.[7] Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice took influences from bands of the 1980s, such as a-ha, Depeche Mode and The Cult,[200][201] while Tears on Tape saw HIM returning to its roots, combining elements of the band's sound on every song, as opposed to having "a fast song followed by a slow song".[7] Valo described Tears on Tape as a combination of Black Sabbath, The Smashing Pumpkins and Roy Orbison.[202]

Lyrically the songs of HIM largely deal with themes of love. According to Valo: "I feel like there is no subject more important for a song than relationships. It's the only thing that moves me."[203] Valo also takes inspiration from literature, but only certain aspects of it, explaining: "As a guy who writes songs, I get excited about an idea, or a book, or a sentence. I don't necessarily get excited about the whole of Tolkien, I just get excited about Uruk-hai. Just a little detail that just makes my mind work overdrive."[2] Valo's lyrics have been described as "oozing with blood-dripping hearts and gothic melodrama".[202]

Image edit

 
The heartagram is the trademarked symbol of HIM, created by Ville Valo

A central part of HIM's image has been the heartagram, which is the trademarked symbol of the band, created by vocalist Ville Valo on his twentieth birthday in 1996.[5][204] A combination of a heart and a pentagram, the heartagram is meant to represent the juxtaposition of "the soft and the hard, the male and the female, the yin and the yang".[204] Musically, the heart is also meant to represent the softer side of the band, while the pentagram symbolizes its heavier influences.[204] This juxtaposition can also be seen in the band's album titles.[199] On HIM's first album, the band used a heart with the number "666" written on it as the logo, which Valo later described as "a bit boring".[204] The heartagram was first predominantly used on the cover of HIM's 2003 album Love Metal. It has since appeared on nearly all releases from the band.[2][205] Valo has later stated that the heartagram "is probably the best thing I've ever come-up with", and that it's "worth a lot more than money" and "bigger than our band".[5] The heartagram has made several appearances on television as well, including on Charmed, LA Ink, Viva La Bam and Criminal Minds.[206]

In the band's early days, HIM's image was heavily characterized by occult and satanic imagery. The use of the number "666" was prominent in lyrics, as well as song and album titles. The band's original name "His Infernal Majesty" was also inspired by The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey, the song "Oblivious to Evil" by Deicide, and Haile Selassie, who was known as "his imperial majesty".[5][207] This flirtation with the occult was seen by the band as purely "symbolic" and "traditionally rock 'n' roll".[2][208] Ville Valo first became interested in the occult while in school and soon began reading books on the subject. All of the band were also big fans of black metal. However, the group have maintained that none of them were seriously interested in satanism. Instead their interest was about mere "fascination", as well as a tongue in cheek hats off to their favorite bands.[7][209] His Infernal Majesty eventually shortened its name to HIM in 1996, reportedly because Finnish people had difficulty remembering and pronouncing "His Infernal Majesty".[210] In the years since, HIM toned down the use of satanic imagery even further. When asked about the band's image in 2013, Valo responded: "I think we're pretty much the same [offstage]. The only difference is I'm not necessarily wearing eyeliner every day."[211]

On the band's first three albums, vocalist Ville Valo was featured solely on the cover.[7] According to Valo, Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 was meant as combination of goth and eroticism, while Razorblade Romance was influenced by the 1980s, glam rock and pop music. Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights, meanwhile, took inspiration from Lou Reed, Patti Smith and late 1970s New York City art circles.[212] Love Metal was the first album to prominently feature the heartagram on its cover, which was repeated on the follow-up Dark Light.[2][205] For Venus Doom's cover, the band used a painting by David Harouni, which Valo had purchased while on tour in New Orleans.[213] Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice featured a photo of a late 19th century nun sculpture that Valo had purchased in Bavaria.[214] On Tears on Tape, HIM used several paintings by Daniel P. Carter, along with a variation of the heartagram on the front cover.[215]

Legacy edit

HIM is one of the most commercially successful Finnish bands of all time, with sales of over ten million albums worldwide.[202][216] They are also the first Finnish group in history to receive a gold record in the United States.[199][202] As one of the first Finnish bands to achieve major international success, HIM has been credited for paving the way for other Finnish groups, such as Children of Bodom and Sonata Arctica. HIM's manager Seppo Vesterinen recalled how before HIM "the success of Finnish bands [..] was confined to pretty small circles, it wasn't a global phenomenon".[217] In 2015, HIM were one of six Finnish bands honored by the Finnish postal service by being featured on a new line of postage stamps designed by Klaus Welp.[218] Publications such as Metal Hammer and Loudwire have ranked HIM among the best Finnish metal bands of all time.[219][220]

"We've had the pleasure and honor to generate songs that have resonated with peoples' hearts. That's the magic of rock 'n' roll. I don't have the slightest clue as to why the band has generated such interest. You can't get that with money. It's miraculous."

—Ville Valo on HIM's connection with its audience.[175]

Much of HIM's success has been attributed to Ville Valo.[199] Along with his songwriting,[217] a key component in HIM's success was Valo's image, which Helsingin Sanomat described as utilizing "the tried and true James Dean formula, wherein sensitivity and edginess combined."[199] Metal Hammer described Valo as one of the few new "rockstars" of the early 2000s, stating: "HIM were like no other band. They had a special something, but more importantly they had a special someone. Ville shone like a star with his blend of Mick Jagger posturing and Brandon Lee's dark charms in The Crow".[221] Loudwire ranked Valo as the fourteenth greatest metal frontman of the 21st century, stating: "His baritone voice is undeniably gorgeous, his vampiric charisma is almost hypnotic, male fans desperately attempt to emulate him and female fans scream ballistically as if he was the second coming of Elvis."[222] Unlike other rock and metal bands, HIM also had a wide appeal,[11] with BMG's Asko Kallonen recalling: "For example in England it was hard to grasp. There the split was usually clear: hard rock was for guys, pop was for girls. HIM was listened to by both."[223] Tavastia Club owner Juhani Merimaa noted how the band's credibility in both the underground and mainstream, along with "melodic, catchy and good songs", paved the way for HIM to achieve major success.[11] PopMatters, meanwhile, noted how HIM is "not the sort of act that conjures up a lukewarm response [as] people either like them or discredit them outright".[224] Some of the major criticism directed towards the band have centered around the "formulaic" nature of its music and perceived "pandering" toward teenage goth fans.[53][191][224] HIM's association with Bam Margera has also received some negative feedback.[71]

The heartagram has also been a key factor in HIM's success, with Valo noting how the symbol has transcended the band, stating: "There are a lot of people who have them [tattooed] who don't actually know what it was, don't relate it to the band, and in that sense, I consider that to be my greatest achievement."[204] Valo has also credited Bam Margera and Kat Von D for helping the band gain exposure through their work.[5][204][206] HIM's music and the heartagram have been prominently featured in Margera's films and TV shows, as well as Von D's LA Ink.[206] Margera was first introduced to HIM in May 2000, when he flew to Finland for a skateboarding competition and saw the band's music video on TV. He subsequently went out to a record store and bought the album Razorblade Romance.[225] Regarding Margera's involvement in HIM's success, Valo stated: "It wasn't about secret handshakes between managers, he was just a random fella who came a-knocking on our door [...] and that's how the friendship started."[206] Kat Von D, meanwhile, was introduced to HIM when the band was recording Dark Light in Los Angeles. She later appeared in the music video for "Killing Loneliness" and has gone on to do several tattoos for members of the band.[226]

Members edit

Timeline edit

Discography edit

Main article: HIM discography

Awards edit

Emma Gala

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1997 HIM Newcomer of the Year Won [23]
Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 Debut Album of the Year Won
1999 HIM Export of the Year Won
2000 HIM Band of the Year Won
Razorblade Romance Album of the Year Won
2001 HIM Export of the Year Won
2003 Love Metal Hard Rock / Metal Album of the Year Nominated [227]
HIM Band of the Year Nominated
2005 Dark Light Rock Album of the Year Won [23]
"Wings of a Butterfly" Song of the Year Won
Dark Light Album of the Year Nominated [228]
Love Metal Archives Vol. I DVD of the Year Nominated
HIM Domestic Artist of the Year (Public Vote) Nominated
2007 Venus Doom Rock Album of the Year Nominated [229]
2010 HIM Band of the Year Nominated [230]
Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice Metal Album of the Year Nominated
"Heartkiller" Video of the Year Nominated
2013 HIM Artist of the Year (Public Vote) Nominated [231]

VIVA Comet Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2000 HIM Viewers' Choice Award Won [39]
"Join Me in Death" Video of the Year Won
2001 HIM Viewers' Choice Award Won [55]

Kerrang! Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2003 Love Metal Best Album Nominated [232]
2004 "The Funeral of Hearts" Best Video Won [69]
"The Funeral of Hearts" Best Single Nominated [233]
HIM Best Band on the Planet Nominated
2005 HIM Best Band on the Planet Nominated [234]
2006 HIM Best Band on the Planet Nominated [235]

IFPI Platinum Europe Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2004 Razorblade Romance IFPI Platinum Europe Award Won [236]

Grammy Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2007 Venus Doom Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package Nominated [125]

Revolver Golden Gods Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2013 HIM Most Dedicated Fans Won [159]

Noisecreep Creepies Awards

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2014 "Into the Night" Video of the Year Won [155]

See also edit

References edit

Footnotes edit

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January 19, 2024
finnish, band, sometimes, stylized, finnish, gothic, rock, band, from, helsinki, first, formed, 1991, vocalist, ville, valo, bassist, mikko, mige, paananen, under, name, infernal, majesty, band, broke, after, only, years, only, reformed, 1995, valo, guitarist,. HIM sometimes stylized as H I M was a Finnish gothic rock band from Helsinki First formed in 1991 by vocalist Ville Valo and bassist Mikko Mige Paananen under the name His Infernal Majesty the band broke up after only a few years only to be reformed in 1995 by Valo and guitarist Mikko Linde Lindstrom After being rejoined by Mige as well as keyboardist Antto Melasniemi and drummer Juhana Patka Rantala the band now called HIM released its debut album Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 in 1997 In 2000 now with drummer Mika Gas Lipstick Karppinen and keyboardist Juska Salminen the band released Razorblade Romance which reached the number one spot in Finland Austria and Germany The first single Join Me in Death also charted at number one in Finland and Germany eventually going platinum and gold respectively Following the addition of Janne Burton Puurtinen on keyboards HIM released Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights 2001 and Love Metal 2003 Both cracked the top ten in several countries and allowed the band to tour in the United Kingdom and the United States for the first time HIMHIM performing at the Helsinki Ice Hall in December 2017Background informationAlso known asHis Infernal Majesty H I M OriginHelsinki FinlandGenresGothic rock gothic metalYears active1991 1993 1995 2017LabelsBMG Sire Razor amp Tie Double Cross Universal Music GroupSpinoffsDaniel LioneyePast membersVille Valo Mikko Mige Paananen Sami Juippi Jokilehto Juha Tarvonen Mikko Linde Lindstrom Oskari Oki Kymalainen Antto Melasniemi Juhana Patka Rantala Mika Gas Lipstick Karppinen Jussi Mikko Juska Salminen Janne Burton Puurtinen Jukka Kosmo KrogerIn 2005 HIM released Dark Light which became the group s most commercially successful album to date HIM also became the first Finnish group in history to receive a gold record in the US In 2007 HIM released Venus Doom the making of which was marred by problems in Valo s personal life Nevertheless the album gave the band its highest chart position in the US at number twelve After 2010 s Screamworks Love in Theory and Practice HIM went on a hiatus after Gas Lipstick was forced to take medical leave Following several months of uncertainty the band regrouped and released the album Tears on Tape in 2013 Gas Lipstick announced his departure from the band in 2015 and was subsequently replaced by Jukka Kosmo Kroger On 5 March 2017 HIM announced that the band would be disbanding following a farewell tour in 2017 The band played its final show on New Year s Eve 2017 as a part of its annual Helldone Festival HIM is one of the most commercially successful Finnish bands of all time with sales of over ten million records HIM has also received numerous accolades including eight Emma Awards The band is known for its distinct sound which combines more melodic and melancholic elements with heavier influences This made it difficult for audiences to categorize HIM s music which led to the band coining the term love metal HIM is also known for its logo the heartagram which has made numerous appearances in other media Contents 1 History 1 1 Early years 1991 1996 1 2 Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 and Razorblade Romance 1997 2000 1 3 Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights and Love Metal 2001 2004 1 4 Dark Light and Venus Doom 2005 2008 1 5 Screamworks Love in Theory and Practice and Tears on Tape 2009 2014 1 6 Final years and disbandment 2015 2017 2 Artistry 2 1 Musical style and lyrical themes 2 2 Image 2 3 Legacy 3 Members 3 1 Timeline 4 Discography 5 Awards 6 See also 7 References 7 1 Footnotes 7 2 Book sources 8 External linksHistory editEarly years 1991 1996 edit nbsp nbsp Ville Valo left and Mige right formed His Infernal Majesty in 1991 pictured here in 2013 The first incarnation of HIM was formed in 1991 by childhood friends Ville Valo and Mikko Mige Paananen in Helsinki Finland Valo played six string bass which substituted for guitar while Mige also played bass The band had two rotating drummers Sami Juippi Jokilehto and Juha Tarvonen 1 2 3 Dubbed His Infernal Majesty other names considered for the band included Black Earth Black Salem and Kafferi 4 After recording its first demo Witches and Other Night Fears 5 His Infernal Majesty played its first show on New Year s Eve 1992 at the Semifinal in Helsinki The band broke up shortly thereafter when Mige began his national military service 2 6 7 In 1995 His Infernal Majesty was reformed by Valo and guitarist Mikko Linde Lindstrom Together they recorded a four track demo which featured Valo on drums and vocals and Linde on guitar and bass Valo originally intended to remain as the bassist for the group but took up the role of lead vocalist out of necessity after they were unable to find another singer 7 8 Eventually the two were joined by returning bassist Mige and drummer Juhana Patka Rantala The group played its first show on 19 December 1995 at the Teatro in Helsinki opening for Kauko Royhka The band s next show was also at the Teatro this time performing Type O Negative covers for which they recruited keyboardist Janne Burton Puurtinen 9 His Infernal Majesty continued to record several more demos sending them to Nuclear Blast Roadrunner and Spinefarm Records among others all of whom passed on the band 10 Eventually they were signed to BMG by production manager Asko Kallonen who was impressed by the band s cover of Chris Isaak s Wicked Game 7 11 In October 1996 the band now called HIM released the EP 666 Ways to Love Prologue Recorded in only five days and produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa the EP also featured Oskari Oki Kymalainen on guitar but he was fired from the group after allegedly having an affair with Patka s girlfriend 12 666 Ways to Love Prologue debuted at number sixteen on the Finnish Singles Chart and peaked at number nine five weeks later 13 The band played a special album release show at the Tavastia Club on 19 October 1996 before starting a full tour for which they recruited keyboardist Antto Melasniemi 14 Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 and Razorblade Romance 1997 2000 edit HIM began recording its full length debut album in 1997 with Hiili Hiilesmaa once again producing Due to the band s minimal studio experience Hiilesmaa played a critical role in helping build HIM s sound for which Valo dubbed him the honorary sixth member of the group 15 Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 was released in Finland on 3 November 1997 and internationally a year later 16 The album charted in Finland and Germany peaking at number four in the former 17 18 The singles When Love and Death Embrace and Your Sweet 666 also cracked the top ten in the band s home country 19 20 Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 received positive reviews from critics with AllMusic describing the album as having a very diverse sound and ultimately succeeding in pleasing everyone whether they re into rock or pop 21 Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 would eventually go platinum in Finland 22 HIM also went on to win Newcomer of the Year and Debut Album of the Year at the 1997 Emma Gala 23 The supporting tour for Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 began in mid December 1997 at the Maxim in Kuopio 24 Prior to HIM s first international tour the band decided to fire keyboardist Antto Melasniemi as they felt he was too disorganized and scatterbrained He was replaced by Jussi Mikko Juska Salminen 25 After returning to Finland the band also parted ways with Patka According to the band Patka s girlfriend had become pregnant which left him with limited time to rehearse He was replaced by Mika Gas Lipstick Karppinen 26 nbsp HIM performing at Provinssirock in June 1999In January 1999 HIM began demoing material for its next album with Hiili Hiilesmaa 27 These sessions proved to be unsuccessful however and the band decided to relocate to Rockfield Wales with producer John Fryer 7 27 In November 1999 HIM released the single Join Me in Death which charted at number one in Finland and Germany 28 29 The single would eventually go platinum in Finland as well as gold in Germany and Austria 22 30 31 At the 1999 Emma Gala HIM were named Export of the Year 23 On 31 December 1999 the band performed at the Tavastia Club in Helsinki Finland which turned into a New Year s tradition for the group 32 HIM s second album Razorblade Romance was released on 24 January 2000 33 It peaked at number one in Finland Austria and Germany 34 35 36 The album would eventually be certified double platinum in Finland triple gold in Germany as well as gold in Austria 22 30 31 Four more singles were released all of which reached the top five on the Finnish Singles Chart Razorblade Romance was mostly well received by critics Soundi gave the album four out of five stars while Blabbermouth net called it yet another amazingly crafted album from Europe s best kept secret 37 38 At the 2000 Emma Gala HIM was named Band of the Year and Razorblade Romance Album of the Year The group also received the Viewers Choice Award and the Video of the Year award for Join Me in Death at the 2000 VIVA Comet Awards 23 39 During the supporting tour for Razorblade Romance HIM played its first shows in the United Kingdom 7 40 As the tour progressed however the band began to feel exhausted They were also hit with several near fatal accidents where Valo nearly fell off a balcony and Salminen ended up in the emergency room after a prank gone wrong 41 By the band s own account HIM nearly broke up though they eventually regrouped and began rehearsing for another album 42 Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights and Love Metal 2001 2004 edit In late 2000 HIM began demoing material for its third album with producer T T Oksala Satisfied with the results the band initially wanted to release these demos as its next album However BMG resisted and brought producer Kevin Shirley on board to work on the record 43 Around this time keyboardist Juska Salminen was also fired from the group after missing several rehearsals 44 Salminen would later attribute his departure to burnout 45 He was replaced by Janne Burton Puurtinen The recording process for HIM s third album lasted approximately eleven months which greatly affected the material 2 Valo later explained When we started recording the third album we were into stoner rock and Black Sabbath At the end we were into Neil Young and it shows on the record 46 According to Valo outside influences within the music industry also contributed to the extended recording process 2 HIM s third album Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights was eventually released on 24 August 2001 47 The record peaked at number one in Finland and Austria 48 49 and at number two in Germany and Switzerland 50 51 The album would eventually go platinum in Finland and gold in Austria 22 31 Three singles were released all of which reached the top five in Finland Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights received mixed reviews with AllMusic calling it way too clean and utterly boring 52 This was echoed by Soundi who called the album ideal music for girls who don t dig the music but Ville Valo s looks and his lyrics decadent imagery 53 Blabbermouth net meanwhile was more positive stating that in purely artistic and commercial terms HIM have made the logical follow up album to one of last year s highlights and they continue to cement their reputation as one of the most unique and consistent rock acts around 54 HIM was once again named Export of the Year at the 2001 Emma Gala 23 The band also received the Viewers Choice Award at the VIVA Comet Awards 55 In 2002 HIM was involved in a rights dispute over its name in the United States 56 As HIM was already owned by the drummer of a Chicago jazz fusion band of the same name the Finnish HIM was renamed HER in the US until a settlement was reached between the two parties which allowed both to use the moniker 57 58 On 7 October 2002 the band released The Single Collection a set containing all the group s singles along with a previously unreleased single of It s All Tears 59 That same month HIM s official biography Synnin viemaa written by J K Juntunen was released 60 The supporting tour for Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights once again exhausted the band nearly to the point of breaking up 61 but it also brought the group closer together 2 HIM also played its first concert in the United States at a one off show organized by professional skateboarder and television personality Bam Margera He would go on to work with the band extensively promoting them and directing several of their music videos 2 7 62 nbsp Ville Valo performing with HIM in Norfolk Virginia 2004Following a two month break in early 2002 HIM regrouped and began rehearsing for its next album which saw the band working with Hiili Hiilesmaa again 63 The band viewed the record as a reaction to the difficulties they faced during Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights According to Valo After what we considered a disappointment with Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights because there were so many chefs in the kitchen we wanted to be a band that we control what we do and everybody else can fuck off This new determination was underlined by the decision to include the band s logo the heartagram prominently on the front cover Valo called this a statement of intent musically visually and ideologically 2 HIM s fourth studio album Love Metal was released on 11 April 2003 64 and it reached the top five in four countries peaking at number one in Finland and Germany 65 66 It also became the group s first album to chart in the UK at number 55 67 Love Metal would be certified platinum in Finland and gold in Germany 22 30 Three singles were released with The Funeral of Hearts peaking at number one in Finland 68 The music video was later named Best Video at the 2004 Kerrang Awards 69 Love Metal was well received by critics with Soundi giving it three out of five stars 70 while AllMusic noted how the songwriting is as strong as it has been in quite some time and a newly found sense of urgency keeps the record going at a well tempered pace 71 Following Love Metal s release HIM embarked on its first US tour which was entirely sold out 2 72 In August 2003 HIM parted ways with BMG having fulfilled its contractual obligations to the label The band were also set on releasing a live album tentatively titled Live Metal in November 2003 but the record was ultimately scrapped in favor of new material 73 74 In March 2004 HIM released And Love Said No The Greatest Hits 1997 2004 which peaked at number two in Finland and number five in Germany 75 76 It also went gold in the band s home country 77 Aside from previously released material the collection also included two new songs And Love Said No and a cover of Neil Diamond s Solitary Man The singles peaked at number one and two respectively in Finland 78 79 while Solitary Man reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart 80 In September 2004 HIM signed a new recording contract with Sire Records who would handle all the band s future releases in Europe North America Japan and Australia In Finland HIM s future releases would be handled through the band s own label Heartagram 81 On 7 December 2004 HIM released The Video Collection 1997 2003 a DVD featuring all the band s music videos 82 HIM was also voted 2004 s Band of the Year by the readers of Metal Hammer magazine 83 Dark Light and Venus Doom 2005 2008 edit nbsp HIM performing at Provinssirock in June 2006On 17 January 2005 HIM performed at the Yhteinen ASIA benefit concert for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami along with The Rasmus The 69 Eyes Apocalyptica and Negative 84 In March the band relocated to Los Angeles to begin work on its fifth studio album with producer Tim Palmer 85 That same month Himmeeta valoa a documentary about the group premiered on Yle TV2 86 The following May HIM released Love Metal Archives Vol I a collection of music videos live performances and other bonus material 87 88 It debuted at number one in Finland and at number two in Germany 88 89 Within a few weeks the collection had gone gold in Finland 90 On 26 September 2005 HIM released its fifth studio album Dark Light which became the group s most successful album to date 91 It charted in sixteen countries being certified platinum in Finland as well as gold in Germany the UK and the US 22 30 92 93 Four singles were released with Wings of a Butterfly and Killing Loneliness reaching number one and two respectively on the Finnish Singles Chart 94 95 The former also cracked the top ten in the UK 96 Dark Light received mixed reviews from critics The New York Times described the material as sturdier than ever while Q Magazine called the album a collection of irresistible pop rock anthems NME meanwhile described the record as wimpy while AllMusic branded it as glossy and user friendly 97 98 At the 2005 Emma Gala Dark Light was named Rock Album of the Year while Wings of a Butterfly received the award for Song of the Year 23 In September 2005 HIM embarked on European club tour to promote Dark Light 99 This was followed by a North American leg in October 100 In December HIM expanded its annual New Year s Eve show into a three day festival called Helldone named so after the group s booking agent Tiina Welldone and the city of Helsinki 101 102 Following the shows Linde Lindstrom fractured his wrist bone which forced HIM to postpone a tour of the UK and Ireland 103 In March 2006 HIM embarked on its first Australian tour 104 which was followed by the band s first shows in New Zealand and Japan 103 In September HIM cancelled its forthcoming North American tour in order to begin work on a new album 105 Later that year HIM released Uneasy Listening Vol 1 a collection of rarities and alternate takes of previously released material 106 The album peaked at number seven in Finland while the double single In Joy and Sorrow Pretending reached number one 107 108 nbsp HIM performing at Wembley Stadium in July 2007In February 2007 HIM began recording its sixth album at Finnvox Studios with producers Hiili Hiilesmaa and Tim Palmer 109 The making of the album was plagued with problems in Ville Valo s personal life His alcohol abuse had worsened which resulted in him vomiting and defecating blood at one point Things came to a head when Valo suffered a nervous breakdown during the recording process While he did manage to recover momentarily he began drinking again during the mixing process Eventually Valo was admitted to the Promises Rehabilitation Clinic in Malibu by the band s manager Seppo Vesterinen 7 The album s release date was also pushed back from July to September 2007 110 In April HIM released Uneasy Listening Vol 2 which peaked at number twelve in Finland 111 From 25 July to 3 September 2007 HIM toured the US with Linkin Park on the Projekt Revolution Tour which also included My Chemical Romance Taking Back Sunday and Placebo 112 Prior to the tour HIM held a contest for fans to win a trip to meet them at the trek s opening date in Seattle The winners of the contest would also be featured on a forthcoming live DVD 113 In July HIM played a number of concerts opening for Metallica including a show at Wembley Stadium in London England 114 On 14 September 2007 HIM released its sixth studio album Venus Doom 115 which charted in the top ten in Finland Germany Switzerland and Austria 116 117 118 119 It also gave the band its highest US chart position to date at number twelve 120 The album would eventually go gold in Finland and Greece 22 121 The Kiss of Dawn and Bleed Well were released as singles with the former peaking at number two in Finland 122 Venus Doom was well received by critics with Spin calling the album maybe the year s heaviest creepiest and sexiest hard rock group effort while NME declared it an extremely well executed pop metal album 123 AllMusic gave the album three and a half stars out of five and found the band back on track and sounding more metal than ever 124 Venus Doom later garnered the band its first and only Grammy nomination for Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package 125 During the supporting tour HIM recorded the live album Digital Versatile Doom at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles California 126 Released on 29 April 2008 the album peaked at number ten in Finland 127 The 2008 edition of Helldone was expanded into a tour which took the festival around Finland before returning to the Tavastia Club on New Year s Eve 128 Screamworks Love in Theory and Practice and Tears on Tape 2009 2014 edit nbsp HIM performing in Los Angeles California in April 2010In August 2009 HIM entered the studio with producer Matt Squire to begin work on its seventh studio album 129 For the first time in the band s career Valo worked completely sober which resulted in the group rehearsing more than ever before 2 Titled Screamworks Love in Theory and Practice the album was released on 8 February 2010 130 It charted in ten countries cracking the top ten in Finland Germany Switzerland and Austria 131 132 133 134 The album also reached number one on the UK Rock amp Metal Albums Charts and the US Hard Rock Albums Chart 135 136 Screamworks was certified gold in Finland 22 Heartkiller and Scared to Death were released as singles with the former peaking at number five in Finland 137 Screamworks was mostly well received by critics with Alternative Press describing it as ultimately successful in its blending of melody and muscle while Billboard felt it was a mixed bag but an appealingly bold one 138 A supporting tour began in February 2010 with several showcase dates in Europe followed by an Australian leg as a part of the Soundwave Festival Beginning in March the band toured the UK and the US 139 140 On 7 December 2010 HIM released SWRMXS a remix album done in collaboration with various other artists including as Tiesto Morgan Page and Salem 141 The 2010 edition of Helldone was cancelled as the band opted to take a break instead 142 In March 2011 HIM announced it had parted ways with Sire Records leaving the band without a label 143 Later that year HIM began work on its eight studio album but rehearsals were cut short when Gas Lipstick was diagnosed with a repetitive stress injury and nerve damage in his hands Gas injury required extensive rest which left the band in limbo unsure whether to break up or find a replacement 7 The band opted to wait and see if Gas condition improved and after eight months they regrouped and resumed work on HIM s next album 7 Valo later credited Gas recovery for helping revitalize the band 144 In October 2012 HIM released the compilation album XX Two Decades of Love Metal 145 The collection was preceded by a cover of Ke s Strange World which was originally scheduled for release on 21 September 2012 However due to an online leak the release was pushed up to 7 September 146 XX Two Decades of Love Metal peaked at number four in Finland 147 Following a two year hiatus HIM also brought back the Helldone Festival in December 2012 148 nbsp HIM performing at Ursynalia in June 2013In February 2013 HIM announced that its forthcoming album would be released through Razor amp Tie in North America Double Cross in the UK and Ireland and Universal Music in Europe 149 150 On 26 April 2013 the band released its eight studio album Tears on Tape which was once again produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa and mixed by Tim Palmer 151 The record charted in nine countries peaking at number two in Finland and Germany 152 153 In the US the album reached number fifteen on the Billboard 200 154 Three singles were released with Into the Night winning the Video of the Year award at the inaugural Noisecreep Creepies Awards 155 Tears on Tape received mostly positive reviews with Classic Rock calling it a glorious return to form for one of the world s most peculiarly successful bands This was echoed by Alternative Press who stated that within HIM s impressive canon it s among their best Kerrang gave a less favorable review stating Tears On Tape isn t bad it s just not as seductive as HIM can be 156 HIM was scheduled to begin its North American tour in support of Tears on Tape on 3 May 2013 but the tour was cancelled after Ville Valo suffered a severe asthma attack and was diagnosed with presumptive pneumonia 157 After Valo recuperated HIM took part in the Rock Allegiance Tour along with Volbeat All That Remains and Airbourne 157 158 At the 2013 Revolver Golden Gods Awards HIM received the award for Most Dedicated Fans 159 In March 2014 the band embarked on its first South American tour 160 That same month HIM s first four albums were digitally reissued in the US by The End Records 161 In May 2014 the band was scheduled to perform in China for the first time but the first show in Shanghai was cut short by local authorities while the second in Beijing was cancelled altogether due to bad weather conditions 162 In November 2014 HIM released Lashes to Ashes Lust to Dust A Vinyl Retrospective 96 03 a box set containing the band s first four albums along with 666 Ways To Love Prologue on 180 gram vinyl 163 In support HIM embarked on the Love Metal Archives Tour in December 2014 164 The band also performed at Fields of the Nephilim s 30th anniversary shows in London England 165 Final years and disbandment 2015 2017 edit On 27 January 2015 Gas Lipstick announced his departure from HIM after 16 years with the band In his announcement Gas stated There is no drama bad blood or any negativity involved in my departure I simply feel that it s time for me to move on as a musician 166 HIM made its live debut following Gas s departure in July 2015 with a surprise show at the Qstock festival in Oulu Finland The show featured the debut of Gas replacement drummer Jukka Kosmo Kroger Valo later stated that the band would begin work on a new album eventually but no release date had been set 167 On 5 December 2015 HIM performed at Knotfest in Toluca Mexico with Slipknot Megadeth and Lamb of God among others 168 In 2016 HIM took another hiatus during which the band members focused on their various side projects 169 Because of this the 2016 edition of Helldone was cancelled 170 nbsp HIM performing in Manchester England in December 2017In October 2016 it was announced that HIM would be headlining the Tuska Open Air Metal Festival in 2017 171 In January 2017 HIM was also named the headliner of Miljoona Rock 172 On 5 March 2017 HIM announced that the band would be disbanding following a farewell tour later that year 173 174 In the announcement Valo stated After quarter of a century sic of love and metal intertwined we sincerely feel HIM has run its unnatural course and adieus must be said in order to make way for sights scents and sounds yet unexplored We completed the pattern solved the puzzle and turned the key Thank you 173 Valo later elaborated on the band s decision to call it quits stating We got together and started playing some songs and thinking whats next We felt like the new material wasn t taking flight We got along well together but something was lacking The stars weren t in alignment 175 He also went on to say that We felt like there was nothing left to give collectively It was fun playing the old songs everybody got along well together but that spark was missing Valo didn t rule out the possibility of the band reuniting in the future stating The good thing about this is that there s no drama So it doesn t hurt the chances 176 A photo exhibition by Ville Juurikkala titled HIM Right Here In My Eyes was held at the Helsinki Art Museum from 15 June to 3 July featuring previously unseen photographs of the band preparing for its farewell tour 177 In November 2017 the exhibition was also held at the Morrison Hotel Gallery in New York City 178 HIM began its Bang and Whimper 2017 The Farewell Tour on 14 June 2017 in Barcelona Spain 179 180 The tour was generally well received with the Nottingham Post stating that HIM truly went out with a bang 181 The band played its final show on New Year s Eve 2017 as a part of the Helldone Festival 182 Artistry editMusical style and lyrical themes edit nbsp When Love and Death Embrace 1997 source source When Love and Death Embrace has been described by Ville Valo as a good representation of HIM as a whole featuring many of the band s key musical elements 183 184 Problems playing this file See media help nbsp Join Me in Death 1999 source source The lyrics to Join Me in Death caused some controversy upon release It was accused of encouraging suicide which Ville Valo denied stating that the song was an interpretation of William Shakespeare s Romeo and Juliet 33 Problems playing this file See media help Music critics have referred to the music of HIM as gothic rock 97 98 185 gothic metal 186 187 188 189 alternative rock 190 191 alternative metal 192 and dark rock 193 The band has referred to its music as love metal the title of the group s fourth studio album According to Ville Valo the term love metal was coined as a response to people having difficulties categorizing HIM s music 194 Regarding HIM s reputation as a goth band Valo stated We can t do anything about that label but I think we are a special shade of goth more tender than others In Finnish tradition our music is very melancholic 16 Valo has also described HIM s sound as sentimental hard hitting rock music 195 The band s intent has always been to combine more melodic and melancholic elements with its heavier influences 196 Valo has often cited Black Sabbath and Type O Negative as HIM s biggest sources of inspiration 183 195 196 Some of the band s other influences include Paradise Lost Anathema My Dying Bride Cathedral Electric Wizard Monster Magnet and Norwegian black metal 197 Regarding HIM s sound Valo has also stated that We never tried to claim that we have reinvented the wheel of rock n roll We ve always been proud to be the torchbearers for Sabbath Type O Paradise Lost and Anathema and a lot of those bands 198 Helsingin Sanomat felt HIM achieved major crossover appeal by combining traditional Finnish melancholia with gothic lyrics walls of metal guitars and keyboard riffs 199 On its debut album Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 HIM s sound was viewed by music critics as a combination of heavy metal and 1980s rock and goth music 21 These influences were further explored on Razorblade Romance which featured less focus on guitar in favor of a sleeker production and a more melodic sound 37 38 185 HIM continued to explore what critics perceived as a more commercial sound on its third album Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights which was met with mixed reactions 52 53 54 HIM s fourth album Love Metal is widely viewed by the band as the record where the group found its own sound taking inspiration from bands such as Black Sabbath Led Zeppelin and Iggy Pop 2 71 194 Dark Light was HIM s breakthrough album in the United States and once again featured a glossier production 98 According to Valo 2007 s Venus Doom was written with the intent of creating a much heavier and darker follow up influenced by the likes of My Dying Bride Anathema and Paradise Lost 7 Screamworks Love in Theory and Practice took influences from bands of the 1980s such as a ha Depeche Mode and The Cult 200 201 while Tears on Tape saw HIM returning to its roots combining elements of the band s sound on every song as opposed to having a fast song followed by a slow song 7 Valo described Tears on Tape as a combination of Black Sabbath The Smashing Pumpkins and Roy Orbison 202 Lyrically the songs of HIM largely deal with themes of love According to Valo I feel like there is no subject more important for a song than relationships It s the only thing that moves me 203 Valo also takes inspiration from literature but only certain aspects of it explaining As a guy who writes songs I get excited about an idea or a book or a sentence I don t necessarily get excited about the whole of Tolkien I just get excited about Uruk hai Just a little detail that just makes my mind work overdrive 2 Valo s lyrics have been described as oozing with blood dripping hearts and gothic melodrama 202 Image edit nbsp The heartagram is the trademarked symbol of HIM created by Ville ValoA central part of HIM s image has been the heartagram which is the trademarked symbol of the band created by vocalist Ville Valo on his twentieth birthday in 1996 5 204 A combination of a heart and a pentagram the heartagram is meant to represent the juxtaposition of the soft and the hard the male and the female the yin and the yang 204 Musically the heart is also meant to represent the softer side of the band while the pentagram symbolizes its heavier influences 204 This juxtaposition can also be seen in the band s album titles 199 On HIM s first album the band used a heart with the number 666 written on it as the logo which Valo later described as a bit boring 204 The heartagram was first predominantly used on the cover of HIM s 2003 album Love Metal It has since appeared on nearly all releases from the band 2 205 Valo has later stated that the heartagram is probably the best thing I ve ever come up with and that it s worth a lot more than money and bigger than our band 5 The heartagram has made several appearances on television as well including on Charmed LA Ink Viva La Bam and Criminal Minds 206 In the band s early days HIM s image was heavily characterized by occult and satanic imagery The use of the number 666 was prominent in lyrics as well as song and album titles The band s original name His Infernal Majesty was also inspired by The Satanic Bible by Anton LaVey the song Oblivious to Evil by Deicide and Haile Selassie who was known as his imperial majesty 5 207 This flirtation with the occult was seen by the band as purely symbolic and traditionally rock n roll 2 208 Ville Valo first became interested in the occult while in school and soon began reading books on the subject All of the band were also big fans of black metal However the group have maintained that none of them were seriously interested in satanism Instead their interest was about mere fascination as well as a tongue in cheek hats off to their favorite bands 7 209 His Infernal Majesty eventually shortened its name to HIM in 1996 reportedly because Finnish people had difficulty remembering and pronouncing His Infernal Majesty 210 In the years since HIM toned down the use of satanic imagery even further When asked about the band s image in 2013 Valo responded I think we re pretty much the same offstage The only difference is I m not necessarily wearing eyeliner every day 211 On the band s first three albums vocalist Ville Valo was featured solely on the cover 7 According to Valo Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 was meant as combination of goth and eroticism while Razorblade Romance was influenced by the 1980s glam rock and pop music Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights meanwhile took inspiration from Lou Reed Patti Smith and late 1970s New York City art circles 212 Love Metal was the first album to prominently feature the heartagram on its cover which was repeated on the follow up Dark Light 2 205 For Venus Doom s cover the band used a painting by David Harouni which Valo had purchased while on tour in New Orleans 213 Screamworks Love in Theory and Practice featured a photo of a late 19th century nun sculpture that Valo had purchased in Bavaria 214 On Tears on Tape HIM used several paintings by Daniel P Carter along with a variation of the heartagram on the front cover 215 Legacy edit HIM is one of the most commercially successful Finnish bands of all time with sales of over ten million albums worldwide 202 216 They are also the first Finnish group in history to receive a gold record in the United States 199 202 As one of the first Finnish bands to achieve major international success HIM has been credited for paving the way for other Finnish groups such as Children of Bodom and Sonata Arctica HIM s manager Seppo Vesterinen recalled how before HIM the success of Finnish bands was confined to pretty small circles it wasn t a global phenomenon 217 In 2015 HIM were one of six Finnish bands honored by the Finnish postal service by being featured on a new line of postage stamps designed by Klaus Welp 218 Publications such as Metal Hammer and Loudwire have ranked HIM among the best Finnish metal bands of all time 219 220 We ve had the pleasure and honor to generate songs that have resonated with peoples hearts That s the magic of rock n roll I don t have the slightest clue as to why the band has generated such interest You can t get that with money It s miraculous Ville Valo on HIM s connection with its audience 175 Much of HIM s success has been attributed to Ville Valo 199 Along with his songwriting 217 a key component in HIM s success was Valo s image which Helsingin Sanomat described as utilizing the tried and true James Dean formula wherein sensitivity and edginess combined 199 Metal Hammer described Valo as one of the few new rockstars of the early 2000s stating HIM were like no other band They had a special something but more importantly they had a special someone Ville shone like a star with his blend of Mick Jagger posturing and Brandon Lee s dark charms in The Crow 221 Loudwire ranked Valo as the fourteenth greatest metal frontman of the 21st century stating His baritone voice is undeniably gorgeous his vampiric charisma is almost hypnotic male fans desperately attempt to emulate him and female fans scream ballistically as if he was the second coming of Elvis 222 Unlike other rock and metal bands HIM also had a wide appeal 11 with BMG s Asko Kallonen recalling For example in England it was hard to grasp There the split was usually clear hard rock was for guys pop was for girls HIM was listened to by both 223 Tavastia Club owner Juhani Merimaa noted how the band s credibility in both the underground and mainstream along with melodic catchy and good songs paved the way for HIM to achieve major success 11 PopMatters meanwhile noted how HIM is not the sort of act that conjures up a lukewarm response as people either like them or discredit them outright 224 Some of the major criticism directed towards the band have centered around the formulaic nature of its music and perceived pandering toward teenage goth fans 53 191 224 HIM s association with Bam Margera has also received some negative feedback 71 The heartagram has also been a key factor in HIM s success with Valo noting how the symbol has transcended the band stating There are a lot of people who have them tattooed who don t actually know what it was don t relate it to the band and in that sense I consider that to be my greatest achievement 204 Valo has also credited Bam Margera and Kat Von D for helping the band gain exposure through their work 5 204 206 HIM s music and the heartagram have been prominently featured in Margera s films and TV shows as well as Von D s LA Ink 206 Margera was first introduced to HIM in May 2000 when he flew to Finland for a skateboarding competition and saw the band s music video on TV He subsequently went out to a record store and bought the album Razorblade Romance 225 Regarding Margera s involvement in HIM s success Valo stated It wasn t about secret handshakes between managers he was just a random fella who came a knocking on our door and that s how the friendship started 206 Kat Von D meanwhile was introduced to HIM when the band was recording Dark Light in Los Angeles She later appeared in the music video for Killing Loneliness and has gone on to do several tattoos for members of the band 226 Members editFinal line up Ville Valo lead vocals occasional keyboards and guitar 1995 2017 six string bass 1991 1993 drums 1995 Mikko Mige Paananen bass backing vocals 1991 1993 1995 2017 Mikko Linde Lindstrom guitars 1995 2017 bass 1995 Janne Burton Puurtinen keyboards backing vocals 2001 2017 Jukka Kosmo Kroger drums 2015 2017 Former members Sami Juippi Jokilehto drums 1991 1993 Juha Tarvonen drums 1991 1993 Oskari Oki Kymalainen guitars 1996 Antto Melasniemi keyboards 1996 1998 Juhana Patka Rantala drums 1995 1999 Jussi Mikko Juska Salminen keyboards backing vocals 1998 2000 Mika Gas Lipstick Karppinen drums 1999 2015 Timeline editDiscography editMain article HIM discography Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 1997 Razorblade Romance 2000 Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights 2001 Love Metal 2003 Dark Light 2005 Venus Doom 2007 Screamworks Love in Theory and Practice 2010 Tears on Tape 2013 Awards editEmma Gala Year Nominee work Award Result Ref 1997 HIM Newcomer of the Year Won 23 Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 Debut Album of the Year Won1999 HIM Export of the Year Won2000 HIM Band of the Year WonRazorblade Romance Album of the Year Won2001 HIM Export of the Year Won2003 Love Metal Hard Rock Metal Album of the Year Nominated 227 HIM Band of the Year Nominated2005 Dark Light Rock Album of the Year Won 23 Wings of a Butterfly Song of the Year WonDark Light Album of the Year Nominated 228 Love Metal Archives Vol I DVD of the Year NominatedHIM Domestic Artist of the Year Public Vote Nominated2007 Venus Doom Rock Album of the Year Nominated 229 2010 HIM Band of the Year Nominated 230 Screamworks Love in Theory and Practice Metal Album of the Year Nominated Heartkiller Video of the Year Nominated2013 HIM Artist of the Year Public Vote Nominated 231 VIVA Comet Awards Year Nominee work Award Result Ref 2000 HIM Viewers Choice Award Won 39 Join Me in Death Video of the Year Won2001 HIM Viewers Choice Award Won 55 Kerrang Awards Year Nominee work Award Result Ref 2003 Love Metal Best Album Nominated 232 2004 The Funeral of Hearts Best Video Won 69 The Funeral of Hearts Best Single Nominated 233 HIM Best Band on the Planet Nominated2005 HIM Best Band on the Planet Nominated 234 2006 HIM Best Band on the Planet Nominated 235 IFPI Platinum Europe Awards Year Nominee work Award Result Ref 2004 Razorblade Romance IFPI Platinum Europe Award Won 236 Grammy Awards Year Nominee work Award Result Ref 2007 Venus Doom Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package Nominated 125 Revolver Golden Gods Awards Year Nominee work Award Result Ref 2013 HIM Most Dedicated Fans Won 159 Noisecreep Creepies Awards Year Nominee work Award Result Ref 2014 Into the Night Video of the Year Won 155 See also editList of best selling music artists in Finland Music of Finland Rock music in FinlandReferences editFootnotes edit Juntunen 2002 p 23 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n HIM s Ville Valo Loud Legacy Full Documentary Loudwire 25 February 2015 Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 9 June 2016 via YouTube Valo Ville 21 May 2016 Lauantain kuokkavieras Ville Valo Radio Rock Interview in Finnish Interviewed by Laura Vahahyyppa Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 9 June 2016 via YouTube Juntunen 2002 pp 23 25 a b c d e HIM s Ville Valo and Mikko Paananen Wikipedia Fact or Fiction Loudwire 24 April 2014 Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 9 June 2016 via YouTube Juntunen 2002 pp 23 47 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Everley Dave April 2013 Ville Valo Q amp A Metal Hammer presents HIM Tears On Tape Official Fanpack Magazine London England Future plc pp 8 25 Retrieved 5 September 2021 via Louder Juntunen 2002 pp 47 48 Juntunen 2002 pp 48 51 Juntunen 2002 p 53 a b c Mattila Tommi director 2005 Himmeeta valoa Yle Documentary in Finnish Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 9 June 2016 via YouTube Juntunen 2002 p 61 Him His Infernal Majesty 666 Ways To Love ep in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 30 August 2021 Juntunen 2002 pp 61 64 Juntunen 2002 pp 69 70 a b Roberts Chris April 2013 Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 Metal Hammer presents HIM Tears On Tape Official Fanpack Magazine London England Future plc pp 112 113 HIM Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 30 August 2021 HIM Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 in German Offizielle Deutsche Charts Retrieved 30 August 2021 HIM When Love And Death Embrace in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 30 August 2021 HIM Your Sweet Six Six Six in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 30 August 2021 a b Ravelin Antti J H I M Greatest Love Songs Vol 666 AllMusic Retrieved 15 June 2016 a b c d e f g h Kulta ja platinalevyt Artistit HIM in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 7 February 2009 a b c d e f g Emma palkinnon voittajat in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 9 June 2016 Juntunen 2002 p 88 Juntunen 2002 pp 99 100 Juntunen 2002 pp 103 104 a b Juntunen 2002 p 124 HIM Join Me in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 30 August 2021 HIM Join Me in German Offizielle Deutsche Charts Retrieved 30 August 2021 a b c d Gold Platin Datenbank HIM in German Bundesverband Musikindustrie Retrieved 7 February 2008 a b c Gold amp Platin in German IFPI Austria Archived from the original on 8 June 2009 Retrieved 7 February 2008 Juntunen 2002 p 262 a b Scharf Natasha April 2013 Razorblade Romance Metal Hammer presents HIM Tears On Tape Official Fanpack Magazine London England Future plc pp 114 115 HIM Razorblade Romance in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 30 August 2021 HIM Razorblade Romance Austriancharts at in German Media Control Charts Retrieved 30 August 2021 HIM Razorblade Romance in German Offizielle Deutsche Charts Retrieved 30 August 2021 a b Mattila Antti 20 July 2007 HIM Razorblade Romance Soundi Retrieved 15 June 2016 a b Krgin Borivoj 17 December 2001 H I M Razorblade Romance Supersonic BMG Blabbermouth net Retrieved 15 June 2016 a b VIVA Comet Awards 2000 VIVA Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 25 April 2017 via YouTube Juntunen 2002 p 165 Juntunen 2002 pp 161 163 Juntunen 2002 p 167 Juntunen 2002 pp 195 197 Juntunen 2002 pp 167 169 Hakaniemi Katariina 19 February 2020 HIM yhtyeen entinen kosketinsoittaja Juska Salminen 42 koki suuren suosion paloi loppuun ja masentui Sangyn pohjalla on turha miettia menestysta Lansivayla in Finnish Retrieved 31 August 2021 Juntunen 2002 p 200 Lawson Dom April 2013 Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights Metal Hammer presents HIM Tears On Tape Official Fanpack Magazine London England Future plc pp 116 117 HIM Deep Shadows amp Brilliant Highlights in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 30 August 2021 HIM Deep Shadows And Brilliant Highlights Austriancharts at in German Media Control Charts Retrieved 30 August 2021 HIM Deep Shadows And Brilliant Highlights in German Offizielle Deutsche Charts Retrieved 30 August 2021 HIM Deep Shadows And Brilliant Highlights in German Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade Retrieved 31 August 2021 a b Ravelin Antti J H I M Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights AllMusic Retrieved 15 June 2016 a b c Alanko Tero 1 July 2007 HIM Deep Shadows And Brilliant Highlights Review Soundi in Finnish Retrieved 15 June 2016 a b Krgin Borivoj 17 December 2001 H I M Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights Supersonic G U N Blabbermouth net Retrieved 15 June 2016 a b VIVA Comet Awards 2001 VIVA Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 30 August 2021 via YouTube Juntunen 2002 p 30 HIM ista tulee Amerikassa HER Ilta Sanomat in Finnish 19 July 2002 Retrieved 5 July 2016 HIM saa pitaa nimensa USA ssa Ilta Sanomat in Finnish 26 March 2003 Retrieved 5 July 2016 H I M To Issue Single Collection Set Blabbermouth net 30 August 2002 Retrieved 28 June 2016 HIM yhtyeen syksyssa kirja ja kokoelmalevy Kaleva in Finnish 10 October 2002 Retrieved 6 July 2016 Juntunen 2002 p 224 Juntunen 2002 p 227 Juntunen 2002 p 249 Everley Dave April 2013 Love Metal Metal Hammer presents HIM Tears On Tape Official Fanpack Magazine London England Future plc pp 118 119 HIM Love Metal in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM Love Metal in German Offizielle Deutsche Charts Retrieved 31 August 2021 Official Albums Chart Top 100 20 April 2003 26 April 2003 Official Charts Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM Funeral Of Hearts in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 a b Darkness bask in Kerrang success BBC News 27 August 2004 Retrieved 16 June 2016 Silas Petri 6 June 2007 HIM Love Metal Soundi Retrieved 15 June 2016 a b c Theakston Rob H I M Love Metal AllMusic Retrieved 15 June 2016 HIMin kiertue USA ssa myytiin heti loppuun Ilta Sanomat in Finnish 26 March 2004 Retrieved 18 June 2016 H I M Part Ways With Label Seek New Record Deal Blabbermouth net 5 August 2003 Retrieved 7 July 2016 H I M Scrap Live Album Head Back Into The Studio Blabbermouth net 13 November 2003 Retrieved 5 February 2017 HIM And Love Said No The Greatest Hits 1997 2004 in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM And Love Said No The Greatest Hits 1997 2004 in German Offizielle Deutsche Charts Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM kokoelma myi kultaa viikossa MTV Uutiset in Finnish 4 May 2005 Retrieved 26 June 2016 HIM And Love Said No in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM Solitary Man in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM brittien sinkkulistan Top Teniin Ilta Sanomat in Finnish 4 May 2005 Retrieved 26 June 2016 H I M Sign With Sire Records Blabbermouth net 9 September 2004 Retrieved 26 June 2016 H I M The Video Collection 1997 2003 DVD To Surface In December Blabbermouth net 6 November 2004 Retrieved 6 July 2016 HIM teki selvaa jalkea brittilehden lukijaaanestyksessa MTV Uutiset in Finnish 27 January 2005 Retrieved 7 June 2016 HIM ja The Rasmus suureen hyvantekevaisyyskonserttiin Ilta Sanomat in Finnish 8 January 2005 Retrieved 18 June 2016 Margera Bam director 2005 HIM The Making of Dark Light MTV Productions Documentary Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 1 September 2021 via YouTube Ville Valo ei halunnut rokkitahdeksi Ilta Sanomat in Finnish 30 March 2005 Retrieved 8 June 2016 H I M To Release Love Metal Archives Vol 1 DVD In April May Blabbermouth net 24 February 2005 Retrieved 27 June 2016 a b H I M Love Metal Archives Vol 1 DVD Enters German Chart At No 2 Blabbermouth net 9 May 2005 Retrieved 27 June 2016 HIM Love Metal Archives Vol 1 in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM DVD menestyy seka Suomessa etta ulkomailla MTV Uutiset in Finnish 26 April 2005 Retrieved 7 July 2016 Yates Henry April 2013 Dark Light Metal Hammer presents HIM Tears On Tape Official Fanpack Magazine London England Future plc pp 122 123 BPI Award HIM Dark Light British Phonographic Industry Retrieved 1 September 2021 HIM myi kultaa USA ssa MTV Uutiset in Finnish 28 September 2006 Retrieved 7 July 2016 HIM Wings Of A Butterfly in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM Killing Loneliness in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM brittilistan top 10 een MTV Uutiset in Finnish 19 September 2005 Retrieved 7 July 2016 a b Dark Light by H I M Metacritic Retrieved 15 June 2016 a b c H I M Dark Light AllMusic Retrieved 15 June 2016 H I M To Embark On European Club Tour In September Blabbermouth net 11 June 2005 Retrieved 9 July 2017 H I M U S Headlining Tour Dates Announced Blabbermouth net 20 August 2005 Retrieved 9 July 2017 HIMin uudenvuodenkeikka laajenee festariksi MTV Uutiset in Finnish 15 September 2005 Retrieved 15 June 2016 Wilding Philip April 2013 Highway to Helldone Metal Hammer presents HIM Tears On Tape Official Fanpack Magazine London England Future plc pp 108 109 a b H I M Guitarist s Fractured Wristbone Forces Postponement Of U K Tour Blabbermouth net 8 January 2006 Retrieved 27 June 2016 H I M To Tour Australia In March Blabbermouth net 5 December 2005 Retrieved 27 June 2016 H I M North American Tour Cancelled Blabbermouth net 27 September 2006 Retrieved 27 June 2016 HIM julkaisee kaksi uutta levya puolen vuoden sisaan MTV Uutiset in Finnish 26 September 2006 Retrieved 7 July 2016 HIM Uneasy Listening Vol 1 in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM In Joy And Sorrow Pretending in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 H I M To Enter Studio This Month Blabbermouth net 14 February 2007 Retrieved 31 August 2021 H I M New Album Pushed Back To September Blabbermouth net 16 May 2007 Retrieved 7 July 2016 Lisaa harvinaisuuksia HIMilta MTV Uutiset in Finnish 25 April 2007 Retrieved 7 July 2016 Kostiainen Pasi 9 May 2007 HIM ja Linkin Park yhteiskiertueelle Ilta Sanomat in Finnish Retrieved 16 June 2016 Are You H I M s Biggest Fan Blabbermouth net 29 June 2007 Retrieved 6 July 2016 HIM lammittelee Metallicaa Lontoon Wembleylla Ilta Sanomat in Finnish 30 April 2007 Retrieved 16 June 2016 Dome Malcolm April 2013 Venus Doom Metal Hammer presents HIM Tears On Tape Official Fanpack Magazine London England Future plc pp 124 125 HIM Venus Doom in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 2 September 2021 HIM Venus Doom in German Offizielle Deutsche Charts Retrieved 2 September 2021 HIM Venus Doom in German Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade Retrieved 2 September 2021 HIM Venus Doom Austriancharts at in German Media Control Charts Retrieved 2 September 2021 Billboard 200 Week of October 6 2007 Billboard Retrieved 16 August 2021 Ellhniko Chart Top 50 3enwn Almpoym in Greek IFPI Greece Archived from the original on 27 October 2007 Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM The Kiss Of Dawn in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 Venus Doom by H I M Metacritic Retrieved 15 June 2016 Lymangrover Jason H I M Venus Doom AllMusic Retrieved 15 June 2016 a b HIM jai ilman Grammya MTV Uutiset 11 February 2008 Retrieved 7 July 2016 HIM Digital Versatile Doom Live at the Orpheum Theatre Rumba in Finnish 4 June 2008 Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM Digital Versatile Doom Live At The Orpheum Theatre in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIMin tahdittama Helldone laajenee Soundi in Finnish 9 October 2008 Retrieved 23 December 2016 HIM To Enter Studio In August New Album Title Announced Blabbermouth net 10 June 2009 Retrieved 31 August 2021 Patterson Dayal November 2013 Screamworks Metal Hammer presents HIM Tears On Tape Official Fanpack Magazine London England Future plc pp 128 129 HIM Screamworks Love In Theory And Practice in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 2 September 2021 HIM Screamworks Love In Theory And Practice Chapters 1 13 in German Offizielle Deutsche Charts Retrieved 2 September 2021 HIM Screamworks Love In Theory And Practice Chapters 1 13 in German Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade Retrieved 2 September 2021 HIM Screamworks Love In Theory And Practice Chapters 1 13 Austriancharts at in German Media Control Charts Retrieved 2 September 2021 HIM brittien rock albumien listan ykkoseksi MTV Uutiset in Finnish 15 February 2010 Retrieved 22 March 2017 Hard Rock Albums Week of February 27 2010 Billboard Retrieved 2 September 2021 HIM Heartkiller in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 Screamworks Love in Theory and Practice by H I M Metacritic Retrieved 15 June 2016 HIM To Kick Off U S Tour In March Blabbermouth net 30 December 2009 Retrieved 17 July 2017 HIM Announce UK Tour Rock Sound 18 November 2009 Retrieved 18 July 2017 HIM SWRMXS Official Remix Album Coming In December Blabbermouth net 12 November 2010 Retrieved 16 June 2017 HIM jattaa perinteisen Tavastian uudenvuoden valiin Ilta Sanomat in Finnish 8 October 2010 Retrieved 15 June 2016 HIM n yllatysratkaisu Ilta Sanomat in Finnish 29 March 2011 Retrieved 25 June 2016 Tears On Tape Albumtrailer Teil 2 in German Universal Music Deutschland Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM To Release XX Two Decades Of Love Metal Greatest Hits Collection Blabbermouth net 17 August 2012 Retrieved 17 July 2016 HIM New Single Release Date Moved Forward Due To Online Leak Blabbermouth net 10 September 2012 Retrieved 17 July 2016 HIM XX Two Decades Of Love Metal in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 31 August 2021 HIM palaa kahden vuoden keikkatauolta Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish 17 August 2012 Retrieved 15 June 2016 HIM kolmen levy yhtion loukussa Maksoi uuden levynsa itse MTV Uutiset in Finnish 23 April 2013 Retrieved 25 June 2016 HIM New Label Home Revealed Tears On Tape Release Date Announced Blabbermouth net 14 February 2013 Retrieved 25 June 2016 HIM suuntasi Universalille CMX lta uusi video Soundi in Finnish 20 February 2013 Retrieved 1 September 2021 HIM Tears on Tape in Finnish Musiikkituottajat Retrieved 2 September 2021 HIM Tears on Tape in German Offizielle Deutsche Charts Retrieved 2 September 2021 Jokelainen Jarkko 8 May 2013 HIM menestyy Yhdysvaltain albumilistalla Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish Retrieved 1 September 2021 a b Tainola RIta 12 June 2014 HIM ja Stefan Lindfors palkittiin vuoden videosta Amerikassa Ilta Sanomat in Finnish Retrieved 26 June 2016 Tears on Tape by H I M Metacritic Retrieved 15 June 2016 a b HIM Frontman Diagnosed With Severe Asthma With Presumptive Pneumonia Blabbermouth net 5 May 2013 Retrieved 22 June 2016 Kaufman Spencer 28 May 2013 2013 Rock Allegiance Tour With Volbeat HIM All That Remains Airbourne More Dates Unveiled Loudwire Retrieved 25 June 2016 a b Pasbani Robert 3 May 2013 Revolver Golden Gods Awards 2013 Winners And Performance Highlights Metal Injection Retrieved 1 September 2019 Kostiainen Pasi 2 November 2013 HIM jarjestaa Helldone festarin uudella tavalla ja valloittaa uuden maanosan Ilta Sanomat in Finnish Retrieved 27 June 2016 HIM Early Catalog Digitally Reissued In U S Via The End Records Blabbermouth net 6 March 2014 Retrieved 1 July 2016 Paakkanen Mikko 4 May 2014 Luonnonvoimat ja viranomaiset pilasivat Him yhtyeen Kiinan kiertueen Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish Retrieved 1 September 2021 HIM To Release Limited Edition Box Set Plus Four Deluxe Titles Blabbermouth net 15 September 2014 Retrieved 9 June 2016 HIM Announce the Love Metal Archives Tour Digital Tour Bus 18 October 2014 Retrieved 24 June 2018 HIM flattered to be offered Nephilim support Classic Rock 18 July 2014 Retrieved 1 September 2021 via Louder Drummer Gas Lipstick Quits HIM Blabbermouth net 27 January 2015 Retrieved 9 June 2016 HIM s Ville Valo Talks New Drummer Upcoming Studio Album Blabbermouth net 15 August 2015 Retrieved 9 June 2016 Slipknot Megadeth Lamb of God HIM Set For First Ever Knotfest Mexico Blabbermouth net 24 August 2015 Retrieved 29 June 2016 Kostiainen Pasi 9 September 2016 Hajoamishuhut potya HIM palaa taas yhteen Ilta Sanomat in Finnish Retrieved 28 November 2016 Aalto Setala Julia 31 December 2016 Suomalaisen rap yhtyeen kuvat naurattavat somessa vertaa itseaan HIMiin Iltalehti in Finnish Retrieved 31 December 2016 Esko Teemu 30 October 2016 HIM Mayhem Suicidal Tendencies ja Brujeria Tuska Open Airiin Kaaoszine in Finnish Retrieved 18 November 2016 Schildt Saku 19 January 2017 Miljoonarock julkaisi ensi kesan esiintyjatietojaan HIM paaesiintyjaksi Eppu Normaali ja muita isoja kotimaisia mukana Soundi in Finnish Retrieved 19 January 2017 a b Schildt Saku 5 March 2017 Uutispommi HIM ilmoittaa lopettavansa uransa jaljella on jaahyvaiskiertue ja sitten se on siina Soundi in Finnish Retrieved 5 March 2017 Makkonen Nita 5 March 2017 HIM lopettaa 26 vuoden jalkeen massiivinen jaahyvaiskiertue julki Ilta Sanomat in Finnish Retrieved 5 March 2017 a b Wetterstrand Ninni 2 July 2017 HIM hyvasteli kotimaisen metallivaen Tuskassa Ville Valo vihjailee sooloilusta ja mahdollisesta uudesta bandista Aion ehka vaihtaa mustasta valkoiseen in Finnish YleX Retrieved 2 July 2017 via Yle Valo Ville 1 July 2017 Radio Rockin Iltavuoro Ville Valo Radio Rock Interview in Finnish Interviewed by Laura Vahahyyppa Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 23 October 2017 via YouTube Ville Juurikkalan HIM valokuvanayttely HAMiin ja Tiketti Galleriaan osa Tuskan 20 vuotisjuhlia Tuska in Finnish 24 May 2017 Retrieved 27 May 2017 HIM Right Here In My Eyes Photography Exhibition At Morrison Hotel Gallery In NYC Blabbermouth net 14 November 2017 Retrieved 15 November 2017 HIM actuara el 16 de junio en Escenario Santander en una de sus tres fechas en Espana 20 Minutos in Spanish 21 December 2016 Retrieved 21 December 2016 HIM Announces North American Leg Of Farewell Tour Special Blabbermouth net Presale Available Blabbermouth net 13 June 2017 Retrieved 13 June 2017 Smallman Eve 16 December 2017 HIM at Rock City Nottingham on their farewell tour review and photos Nottingham Post Retrieved 22 December 2017 HIM to bid farewell at Tavastia Club on New Year s Eve Tiketti 7 August 2017 Retrieved 7 August 2017 a b HIM Interview Ville Valo on his source of inspiration amp biggest flaws Metal Hammer Metal Hammer Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 7 December 2016 via YouTube Interview Ville Valo HIM Soundwave 2014 Spotlight Report Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 8 December 2016 via YouTube a b Ravelin Antti J H I M Razorblade Romance AllMusic Retrieved 15 June 2016 Ashmore Ben HIM Metal Uneasy Listening Vol 1 Rarities Sony BBC Archived from the original on 14 January 2009 Retrieved 16 March 2008 Appleford Steve HIM turns into a bunch of he men on stage Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on 5 March 2016 Retrieved 1 September 2021 Doran John 16 November 2007 Venus Doom HIM Record Collector No 342 Retrieved 16 October 2016 Kroll Katy 18 November 2017 Finnish Goth Metal Band HIM Bids Farewell to U S With New York City Tour Stop Billboard Retrieved 1 September 2021 HIM Screamworks Love In Theory And Practice Rock Sound 5 February 2010 Retrieved 1 September 2021 a b Monger James Christopher H I M Screamworks Love in Theory and Practice Chapters 1 13 AllMusic Retrieved 15 June 2016 Edwards Leanne 2 February 2007 The Music Beat H I M His Infernal Majesty The Wave Archived from the original on 21 February 2014 Retrieved 3 February 2013 HIM Venus Doom CD Kritik Pooltrax 14 September 2007 Archived from the original on 12 November 2007 Retrieved 5 April 2012 Die finnische Band um den charismatischen Sanger Ville Valo haben sich seit 1995 dem interessanten Genre Dark Rock verschrieben a b Valo Ville 2003 BMG EPK 2003 BMG Interview Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 1 September 2021 via YouTube a b Yourock tv Interview with Ville Valo from Him Alcatraz Milan Yourock tv 12 February 2014 Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 10 June 2016 via YouTube a b HIM in Cologne Germany Finnish with English subs MusicInterviewCorner 23 October 2013 Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 10 June 2016 via YouTube HIM The PV Fan Q amp A with Ville Valo Part 1 PureVolumeVideo Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 1 September 2021 via YouTube HIM Ville Valo Interview Soundwave TV 2014 SoundwaveFestTV Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 17 April 2017 via YouTube a b c d e Siren Vesa 6 March 2017 Ville Valo yhdisti Tapio Rautavaaran ja AC DC n nain HIM yhtye valloitti erilaiset yleisot ympari maailmaa Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish Retrieved 10 April 2017 HIM You Need To Be Realistic Toazted Toazted 13 March 2016 Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 1 September 2021 via YouTube Interview with Ville Valo of HIM WatchMojo 30 July 2011 Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 21 December 2016 via YouTube a b c d Mattila Ilkka 29 September 2012 HIM 20 vuotta raskasta romantiikkaa Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish Retrieved 1 September 2021 Radio Rock Jussi 69 and Ville Valo HIM Pt 1 05 11 2012 in Finnish himptz 5 November 2012 Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 13 June 2016 via YouTube a b c d e f Wilding Philip April 2013 Sheer Heartagram Metal Hammer presents HIM Tears On Tape Official Fanpack Magazine London England Future plc pp 75 77 a b Valo Ville 30 April 2003 Subtv kohtaamisia Ville Valo Subtv Interview in Finnish Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 1 September 2021 via YouTube a b c d HIM Reminisce About Bam Margera Ryan Dunn Loudwire 20 May 2014 Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 9 June 2016 via YouTube Juntunen 2002 p 24 Juntunen 2002 p 29 Juntunen 2002 p 25 Juntunen 2002 p 26 HIM Photoshoot 2013 Metal Hammer Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 1 September 2021 via YouTube Juntunen 2002 p 73 Valo Ville 2007 An interview with Ville Valo The Voice TV Interview in Finnish Interviewed by Jussi Mantysaari Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 1 September 2021 via YouTube Valo Ville 2 February 2010 An interview with Ville Valo Bravo Web TV Interview Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 22 December 2016 via YouTube Devil s in the Details Metal Hammer presents HIM Tears On Tape Official Fanpack Magazine London England Future plc April 2013 pp 57 60 Pudas Mari 5 March 2017 Yllatysilmoitus HIM lopettaa Iltalehti in Finnish Retrieved 18 June 2017 a b Lankolainen Eeva 7 March 2017 Ei ole tehdasta jossa napista painamalla syntyisi uusia HIMeja Savon Sanomat in Finnish Retrieved 15 April 2017 Hartmann Graham 16 April 2015 Children of Bodom Nightwish HIM Apocalyptica More Honored With Finnish Postage Stamps Loudwire Retrieved 27 December 2016 Patterson Dayal 17 May 2016 10 of the best metal bands from Finland Metal Hammer Retrieved 1 September 2021 via Louder DiVita Joe 5 September 2017 10 Best Finnish Metal Bands Loudwire Retrieved 26 September 2017 Hibbard Jamie December 2017 Sympathy for the Devil Metal Hammer A Brief History of HIM London England Future plc pp 8 9 DiVita Joe 28 February 2018 Top 30 Frontmen Frontwomen of the 21st Century Loudwire Retrieved 8 March 2018 Kostiainen Pasi 19 March 2017 Mietin mista maailmasta tama tulee HIM yhtyeen huima tarina miksi kansainvalinen supertahteys jai saavuttamatta Ilta Sanomat Retrieved 15 April 2017 a b Teegarden Lance H I M Love Metal Universal PopMatters Archived from the original on 12 June 2010 Retrieved 9 May 2008 Margera Bam director 2005 HIM vs BAM Making of Buried Alive by Love Sony BMG Documentary Archived from the original on 10 November 2021 Retrieved 1 September 2021 via YouTube Ville Valo rakastumassa MTV Uutiset in Finnish 18 March 2010 Retrieved 29 July 2018 Emma 2003 ehdokkaat in Finnish Musiikkituottajat 13 January 2004 Retrieved 1 September 2021 Metallitotuus Kuolematon ja Kolme muskettisopulia Kaleva in Finnish 18 January 2006 Retrieved 1 September 2021 Emma ehdokkaat 2007 Iltalehti in Finnish 15 January 2008 Retrieved 1 September 2021 Paleface ja Jenni Vartiainen saivat jo Emma palkinnot Stara in Finnish 10 December 2010 Retrieved 3 January 2018 Wetterstrand Ninni 18 January 2014 Emma ehdokkaat on julkistettu katso lista kaikista ehdokkaista in Finnish YleX Retrieved 1 September 2021 via Yle Kerrang awards 2003 The nominations BBC 6 August 2003 Retrieved 18 October 2017 Slipknot Metallica The Darkness Among Best Band Nominees At Kerrang Awards 2004 Blabbermouth net 25 August 2004 Retrieved 18 October 2017 System of a Down Slipknot Among Nominees At 2005 Kerrang Awards Blabbermouth net 9 August 2005 Retrieved 18 October 2017 HIM ehdolla planeetan parhaaksi bandiksi Ilta Sanomat in Finnish 14 August 2006 Retrieved 26 July 2016 IFPI Platinum Europe Certifications for May 2004 IFPI Archived from the original on 23 June 2004 Retrieved 21 December 2017 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint bot original URL status unknown link Book sources edit Juntunen J K 2002 Synnin viemaa WSOY ISBN 951 0 27304 X External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to HIM band Official website HIM at AllMusic Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title HIM Finnish band amp oldid 1195990887, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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