If there’s one band from the beautiful city of Helsinki that often defies the labels attached to bands, then it must be HIM. Music industry critics have labeled the band’s music from subgenres of rock such as gothic rock, alternative rock, and hard rock and of metal as gothic metal, alternative metal, and doom metal. There have been too many names, but one thing is certain, only the band members and their fans can decide how to label their music.
Gender and Symbol
It just so happens that the most commonly used label to refer to HIM’s musical style is love metal. This is often characterized as a fusion of heavy metal, gothic tunes, rock, pop, and glam, which is generally credited as the brainchild of the group’s lead singer, Ville Valo.
In keeping with its name, the so-called heartagram represents both the band and the musical genre. Due to their huge popularity, Valo once commented that the band is now more known for its symbol than its music.
Band history
The group started out as His Infernal Majesty. It was only during the Wicked Game single in 1998 that the band officially changed their name to HIM. As such, the Finnish love metal band should not be confused with other bands such as Canadian thrash metal band Infernal Majesty, American post-rock band HiM, and contemporary Christian group 4Him.
Incidentally, the band bought the rights to the HiM name and has since used it on their tours and albums all over the world. Previously, they used the name HER for Razorblade Romance, which was their second album, as well as HIM and HER while on tour in Europe.
Like any rock band, the group has had its share of musical professorships among its members. Currently, the band is made up of Ville Valo on lead vocals and acoustic guitar; Mikko Lindstrom on lead and acoustic guitar; Mikko Paananen on bass and backing vocals; Mika Karppinen on drums and percussion; and Janne Puurtinen on keyboards and backing vocals. Former members included Juippi, Juha Tarvonen, and Juhana Tuomas Rantala on drums and percussion; Antto Melasniemi, Sergei Ovalov and Jussi-Mikko Salminen on keyboards; and Oki on guitar.
Studio albums released
To date, the band has released 7 HIM studio albums, 1 live album, 6 compilation albums, 1 extended play, 22 singles, 4 video albums, and 23 music videos. Indeed, this is a band that hasn’t shy away from creativity, technology and new markets in their two decades in the music industry.
• The best love songs vol. 666 (1997) – Contrary to its title, this is not meant to be satanic
• Razorblade Romance (1999)- Has the distinction of being the best-selling album of all time in Finnish music history.
• Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights (2001) – This is the debut effort from the current band member, although it is their third under the HIM label.
• Love Metal (2003) – Widely considered the band’s most definitive work, featuring the heartagram logo for the first time
• Dark Light (2005) – This was inspired by ancient mythologies and modern religions.
• Venus Doom (2007)- Has the most heavy metal sound of the band today
• Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice (2010) – Valo describes the album as a primal, cathartic scream.
We can expect many more from the band that pioneered love metal. And that’s what we love about HIM.