Before this release, I never truly realized how talented this band was. I've always appreciated their vocalist, Ville Valo, and consider him one of rock's best singers. He also writes music for all the band, which must be why they all work together and play off each other so well. Their guitarist (there's always two guitars at work at the same time on every track, so I guess he overdubs it) does som pretty tricky and catchy stuff that he hasn't shown off in previous releases. Their bassist, while no Les Claypool, is an excellent rhythm keeper. But the one bad musician, as on all HIM releases, is their drummer. He's not too good, basically. He does not complicated things, and basically hits a snare and a bass drum throughout the whole album, sometimes throwing in a crash. It's either he's not capable or Valo isn't writing good enough stuff for him, but it kind of brings down the music.

Despite the drummer, this release is a masterpiece. Every time I listen to it, it gives me a feeling of seclusion and peace. That sounded corny, but this is one of the only album's I recall that can actually do that. The way "Soul on Fire" comes to it's epic conclusion is oh so super. This is the way music should be done.

The lyrics in the album are quite unique. They basically revolve around joy, sorrow, love and hate. But they are not handled in the Simple Plan way: someone's miserable because their girlfriend used them and now she's going out with the jock. No, I think HIM's a little more mature than that. Most of the lyrics are metafourical, as they have always been. Which is the uniqueness of them.

I highly recommend this band if you are looking for originality. This band is bleeding it.

P.S.: Love metal is the genre HIM falls into. Not goth. Though Love Metal does highly resemble it. And I've read reviews where people seem to think "Love Metal" means something like "I Love Metal". No. That's wrong. Sorry.


oh god no   July 18, 2004
 7 out of 28 found this review helpful

With all the amazing music coming out of Finland, this is the one band that gets recognition? Black Hair Dye and a wardrobe from Hot Topic does not a good band make. This is generic, boring pseudo-metal which sounds more like a second-rate Motley Crue if Vince was an anorexic pansy. Everything about this band is uninspired and contrived.


Beautiful   January 3, 2004
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Ville Valo is one of the best vocalists in the world, and a credit to his art. However his voice is nothing more than a compliment to his lyrics, which really do all the work. Well, those and the band. I think it's a shame that so many people in the US are so full of this idea that HIM is satanic, and won't just listen to them. 666 has always been metaphorical in their lyrics and all they sing about are the emotions induced by love. Sweet emotions, painful emotions, hope, anguish... everything about the songs is for love and what it does to us. The Heartagram they sport is a sign to show the contrast of good and evil, it has nothing to do with the pentagram!

The song shows improvement and progress from their earlier works but not so dramatic a change that they aren't the same musicians they ever were. Ville's deep voice and lyrics, the rest of the band's wonderful instrumentals... though, I suppose the reviewer a spot or so beneath is right that the drummer really never plays anything impressive, but it still works in the song. Also, I'd like to make a note to another reviewer who seemed to miss this, the song "The 9th Circle" is actually a metal version of "One Last Time" from the Razorblade Romance album. I preffer One Last Time, but that's just me. I recommend every track and video from this CD, particularly Funeral of Hearts--the video is mezmorizing.


Love Metal Hate Him [EXPORT ASAP]   February 9, 2004
 6 out of 40 found this review helpful

This band is absolute trash! Some of the worst music I've ever heard. I love the CKY videos but Bam should have stuck with just CKY for the soundtracks or better yet have Brandon DiCamillo make up more songs. H.I.M. must stand for Horrible Idiotic Music because it sounds like the worst noise imaginable. Imagine a dump truck backing up at 7am with the "beep beep beep" noise topped off with dragging a metal dumpster along the asphalt, just grinding away what's left of your ears and giving you a headache. That's what HIM sounds like.

Wake up kiddies and teeny boppers, just because you love Bam Margera doesn't mean you have to love his favorite band too! THINK FOR YOURSELF! This music is HORRIBLE! Notice how Raab, Rake, Bran and the rest of the crew never sport HIM attire? Can you actually call yourself a fan after watching what a tool the lead singer is? He looks like more of a flamer than Siegfried & Roy, only not as tan. Excuse me while I go puke...