HIM are a Finnish rock band from Helsinki. Formed in 1991 by vocalist Ville Valo, guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström, and bassist Mikko "Migé" Paananen, HIM's current lineup consists of Valo, Linde, Migé, Janne "Emerson Burton" Puurtinen on keyboards
and Mika Karppinen on drums. They have released seven full-length albums to date, the latest, Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice, released on February 8, 2010. On September 5, 2006, HIM's fifth studio album Dark Light was certified gold by the RIAA, making HIM the first Finnish band to have a gold album in the United States. HIM had five of their studio albums certified platinum in
Finland with Razorblade Romance being certified double platinum in Finland and platinum in Germany.
Genre
HIM's genre is debated in some circles; on their CD, Deep Shadows & Brilliant Highlights, it says their genre is "Alternative" but their musical style is also often referred to as "love metal" by Valo and by the group's fans. Ville Valo has stated that the band started as a "Black Sabbath tribute band of sorts". Valo stated in an interview on the Love Metal Archives Vol. I DVD, that he was fed up with journalists and interviewers asking him (Valo), and the rest of the band what the genre of HIM was. He said in answer to that question, they created the genre "love metal" (which was also the name of their 2003 album.) Critics have referred to them as gothic rock, gothic metal, alternative rock, hard rock, alternative metal, doom metal.
Heartagram
The heartagram is the trademarked symbol of HIM, created by Ville Valo the day of his twentieth birthday. Valo has said that "the heartagram stands for HIM as a band, as an entity, and for 'love metal' in general." Many fans of the band have heartagram tattoos, or tattoos of other HIM emblems such as the single heart on Valo's right wrist, and a number of fan-submitted photos of same
decorated the lyric booklet for the limited edition of Dark Light. Ville Valo has allowed his close friend, Jackass star, actor, and professional skateboarder, Bam Margera to share the license on the heartagram image and Margera has accordingly used it for his promotional purposes, including using it on his Adio shoes and Element skateboards. Because of the shared license, the
symbol is often thought to belong solely to Margera. Other well known individuals have also received a tattoo of the logo such as Kat Von D. According to Valo, the band has become better known for their logo than their music.
In a video interview, Ville has stated that the Heartagram is a "Modern Yin Yang," the heart being the Yang and the inverted pentagram being the Yin.
A heartagram appears at the end of the music video for the song DARE by the band Gorillaz, where Murdoc wakes up, on the wall to the left hand side. It was also parodied, as the "horseagram" a combination of a horse shoe and a pentagram in the episode "Ode to Sue" of the video game comedy troupe Mega64.
During the filming of Jackass Number Two, cast member Steve-O got a parody tattoo of a heartagram called a "Dickagram", where the lowest point of the inverted pentagram is shaped like a penis.
The Heartagram was also shown in a couple of episodes in season 8 of The WB's Charmed as a demonic symbol.
The Heartagram appears in the episode Criminal Minds where the girl was wearing a Heartagram necklace.
Name confusion
HIM, previously known as 'His Infernal Majesty', is not to be confused with Infernal Majesty, a Canadian thrash metal band, formed in Toronto in 1986; HiM, an American post-rock band; or 4Him, a Contemporary Christian group.
Their first band name was His Infernal Majesty. The band changed the name to HIM from the "Wicked Game" single onwards, though the single for "Your Sweet Six Six Six" includes a 'His Infernal Majesty' sticker.
Their second major US release, Razorblade Romance, was released under the name HER because a Chicago based post-rock band named HiM held the trademark on the name. While they toured Europe, primarily Germany, at this time, they used the name HIM and HER. HIM eventually bought the rights to the name "HIM" in the United States and used it worldwide from there on. HIM has
also had other names like Black Salem and Thulsa Doom (in 2000-2002), when as stated above the band had problems with the name in the U.S. Those names have been used in several gigs, mostly in Finland, HIM's native country.
In the official HIM biography, Synnin Viemaa, Ville Valo admitted to making things up and joking about the name during interviews, leading to conflicting accounts of the origin of the name and the confusion that exists today. During an interview, Valo has said:
In almost every interview someone asks what does HIM stand for. I can't even remember our latest lie about that. When Hanson was hot, we said it means Hanson Is Murder. The name doesn't have a particular history. His Infernal Majesty was a totally different band. I think HIM derives from some death metal joke. And it was our protest to Haile Selassie's rastafarian religion, he used to be called His Imperial Majesty. But nowadays because of Linde's hair, we actually might be supporting him.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
and Mika Karppinen on drums. They have released seven full-length albums to date, the latest, Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice, released on February 8, 2010. On September 5, 2006, HIM's fifth studio album Dark Light was certified gold by the RIAA, making HIM the first Finnish band to have a gold album in the United States. HIM had five of their studio albums certified platinum in
Finland with Razorblade Romance being certified double platinum in Finland and platinum in Germany.
Genre
HIM's genre is debated in some circles; on their CD, Deep Shadows & Brilliant Highlights, it says their genre is "Alternative" but their musical style is also often referred to as "love metal" by Valo and by the group's fans. Ville Valo has stated that the band started as a "Black Sabbath tribute band of sorts". Valo stated in an interview on the Love Metal Archives Vol. I DVD, that he was fed up with journalists and interviewers asking him (Valo), and the rest of the band what the genre of HIM was. He said in answer to that question, they created the genre "love metal" (which was also the name of their 2003 album.) Critics have referred to them as gothic rock, gothic metal, alternative rock, hard rock, alternative metal, doom metal.
Heartagram
The heartagram is the trademarked symbol of HIM, created by Ville Valo the day of his twentieth birthday. Valo has said that "the heartagram stands for HIM as a band, as an entity, and for 'love metal' in general." Many fans of the band have heartagram tattoos, or tattoos of other HIM emblems such as the single heart on Valo's right wrist, and a number of fan-submitted photos of same
decorated the lyric booklet for the limited edition of Dark Light. Ville Valo has allowed his close friend, Jackass star, actor, and professional skateboarder, Bam Margera to share the license on the heartagram image and Margera has accordingly used it for his promotional purposes, including using it on his Adio shoes and Element skateboards. Because of the shared license, the
symbol is often thought to belong solely to Margera. Other well known individuals have also received a tattoo of the logo such as Kat Von D. According to Valo, the band has become better known for their logo than their music.
In a video interview, Ville has stated that the Heartagram is a "Modern Yin Yang," the heart being the Yang and the inverted pentagram being the Yin.
A heartagram appears at the end of the music video for the song DARE by the band Gorillaz, where Murdoc wakes up, on the wall to the left hand side. It was also parodied, as the "horseagram" a combination of a horse shoe and a pentagram in the episode "Ode to Sue" of the video game comedy troupe Mega64.
During the filming of Jackass Number Two, cast member Steve-O got a parody tattoo of a heartagram called a "Dickagram", where the lowest point of the inverted pentagram is shaped like a penis.
The Heartagram was also shown in a couple of episodes in season 8 of The WB's Charmed as a demonic symbol.
The Heartagram appears in the episode Criminal Minds where the girl was wearing a Heartagram necklace.
Name confusion
HIM, previously known as 'His Infernal Majesty', is not to be confused with Infernal Majesty, a Canadian thrash metal band, formed in Toronto in 1986; HiM, an American post-rock band; or 4Him, a Contemporary Christian group.
Their first band name was His Infernal Majesty. The band changed the name to HIM from the "Wicked Game" single onwards, though the single for "Your Sweet Six Six Six" includes a 'His Infernal Majesty' sticker.
Their second major US release, Razorblade Romance, was released under the name HER because a Chicago based post-rock band named HiM held the trademark on the name. While they toured Europe, primarily Germany, at this time, they used the name HIM and HER. HIM eventually bought the rights to the name "HIM" in the United States and used it worldwide from there on. HIM has
also had other names like Black Salem and Thulsa Doom (in 2000-2002), when as stated above the band had problems with the name in the U.S. Those names have been used in several gigs, mostly in Finland, HIM's native country.
In the official HIM biography, Synnin Viemaa, Ville Valo admitted to making things up and joking about the name during interviews, leading to conflicting accounts of the origin of the name and the confusion that exists today. During an interview, Valo has said:
In almost every interview someone asks what does HIM stand for. I can't even remember our latest lie about that. When Hanson was hot, we said it means Hanson Is Murder. The name doesn't have a particular history. His Infernal Majesty was a totally different band. I think HIM derives from some death metal joke. And it was our protest to Haile Selassie's rastafarian religion, he used to be called His Imperial Majesty. But nowadays because of Linde's hair, we actually might be supporting him.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1990-1996 ~ 666 Ways to Love: Prologue
An unreleased seven-track 1992 demo tape, Witches and Other Night Fears was
the band's first recording. The only known copy supposedly resides with frontman
Ville Valo.
The band was originally called "His Infernal Majesty", but later changed their name. In addition, "His Infernal Majesty" gave people the idea the band
members were satanist. 666 Ways to Love: Prologue was released in 1996 solely in Finland, and only 1,000 copies of this album were sold. This makes it
very rare for HIM collectors and fans, and worth quite a lot. Recently a near mint condition copy of the bands EP was listed on eBay for around $600. The lady
on the cover is said to be Valo's mother, who (according to an interview with Valo) worked in a shoe shop at the time. It was produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa, and
was recorded at Finnvox Studios, MD and Peacemakers, Helsinki.
EP Released: 10.10.1996
Track Listing:
Dark Secret Love
Stigmata Diaboli
The Heartless
Wicked Game
the band's first recording. The only known copy supposedly resides with frontman
Ville Valo.
The band was originally called "His Infernal Majesty", but later changed their name. In addition, "His Infernal Majesty" gave people the idea the band
members were satanist. 666 Ways to Love: Prologue was released in 1996 solely in Finland, and only 1,000 copies of this album were sold. This makes it
very rare for HIM collectors and fans, and worth quite a lot. Recently a near mint condition copy of the bands EP was listed on eBay for around $600. The lady
on the cover is said to be Valo's mother, who (according to an interview with Valo) worked in a shoe shop at the time. It was produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa, and
was recorded at Finnvox Studios, MD and Peacemakers, Helsinki.
EP Released: 10.10.1996
Track Listing:
Dark Secret Love
Stigmata Diaboli
The Heartless
Wicked Game
1996-1999 ~ Greatest Love Songs Vol.666
The band released their first full-length studio album, Greatest Love
Songs Vol. 666, on November 20, 1997. It features covers of Chris Isaak's
"Wicked Game" and Blue Oyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper". Four
singles were released from the album which was also produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa.
Like the EP 666 Ways to Love: Prologue, the album was recorded at Finnvox, MD and Peacemakers in Helsinki, Finland. Guest vocals were provided by Sanna-June Hyde, and Asta Hannula on "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and "For You", respectively. A digipak version was released in Finland, with the song "For You" moved to the first track. A special edition was released in Germany with the bonus track "Sigillum Diaboli", taken from 666 Ways to Love: Prologue. In keeping with the theme of 666, the album's length is 66:06 and contains a total of 66 tracks (56 of which are blank). There is another track which starts at 6 minutes into the 66th track, it is the outro of "The Heartless" from 666 Ways to Love: Prologue. The track is called "HIM 666," or alternatively "666" or "Dark Circle." This album is also the only HIM album so far to have hidden bonus tracks. Although sometimes perceived to have Satan-worshiping references, Valo has stated that the album was never affiliated with these things.
Album Released: 31.08.1998
Track Listing:
Your Sweet Six Six Six
Wicked Game
The Heartless
Our Diabolikal Rapture
It's All Tears (Drown In This Love)
When Love And Death Embrace
The Beginning Of The End
Don't Fear) The Reaper
For You
Songs Vol. 666, on November 20, 1997. It features covers of Chris Isaak's
"Wicked Game" and Blue Oyster Cult's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper". Four
singles were released from the album which was also produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa.
Like the EP 666 Ways to Love: Prologue, the album was recorded at Finnvox, MD and Peacemakers in Helsinki, Finland. Guest vocals were provided by Sanna-June Hyde, and Asta Hannula on "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" and "For You", respectively. A digipak version was released in Finland, with the song "For You" moved to the first track. A special edition was released in Germany with the bonus track "Sigillum Diaboli", taken from 666 Ways to Love: Prologue. In keeping with the theme of 666, the album's length is 66:06 and contains a total of 66 tracks (56 of which are blank). There is another track which starts at 6 minutes into the 66th track, it is the outro of "The Heartless" from 666 Ways to Love: Prologue. The track is called "HIM 666," or alternatively "666" or "Dark Circle." This album is also the only HIM album so far to have hidden bonus tracks. Although sometimes perceived to have Satan-worshiping references, Valo has stated that the album was never affiliated with these things.
Album Released: 31.08.1998
Track Listing:
Your Sweet Six Six Six
Wicked Game
The Heartless
Our Diabolikal Rapture
It's All Tears (Drown In This Love)
When Love And Death Embrace
The Beginning Of The End
Don't Fear) The Reaper
For You
1999-2001 ~ Razorblade Romance
After gaining popularity in Europe, particularly in their homeland, HIM
released its second album in 1999, titled Razorblade Romance. This is
when the band's popularity began to rise, their single "Join Me in Death" from
the album reached #1 on the German music charts, selling over 500,000 of this
single in two months. Join Me in Death was used as the soundtrack of
European version of sci-fi movie 'The 13th Floor', thus making it more popular
worldwide.
Following this German success they released two more Germany only singles from this album; "Right Here in My Arms" and "Gone With the Sin", which reached
#20 and #19 on the charts respectively. Around this time they were also becoming better known in other parts of Europe, such as the United Kingdom. The album
itself reached #1 in both Germany and their native Finland. In 2002, Razorblade Romance was re-released and put into stores in the United States. HIM was not allowed to use their name for sales because of the American band, HiM, owned the rights to that name. Therefore, they changed the name to HER in the United States. Eventually, they were able to buy the full rights to the name HIM, and copies of the album began to be manufactured with their desired name on the packaging. Only 1,000 copies of the album exist with the HER band name, which makes it a rare collectible among "fans".
The original working title for Razorblade Romance was Gotham Roll and a demo or properly recorded song from this session leaked onto the internet (in the midst of 2004), titled "Too Happy To Be Alive." A drum machine was used for this particular session due to Pätkä leaving the band.
Album Released 24.01.2000
Track Listing:
I Love You, Poison Girl, Join Me, Right Here In My Arms, Gone With The Sin, Razorblade Kiss, Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart, Heaven Tonight, Death Is In Love With Us, Resurrection, One Last Time, The 9th Circle (OLT).
released its second album in 1999, titled Razorblade Romance. This is
when the band's popularity began to rise, their single "Join Me in Death" from
the album reached #1 on the German music charts, selling over 500,000 of this
single in two months. Join Me in Death was used as the soundtrack of
European version of sci-fi movie 'The 13th Floor', thus making it more popular
worldwide.
Following this German success they released two more Germany only singles from this album; "Right Here in My Arms" and "Gone With the Sin", which reached
#20 and #19 on the charts respectively. Around this time they were also becoming better known in other parts of Europe, such as the United Kingdom. The album
itself reached #1 in both Germany and their native Finland. In 2002, Razorblade Romance was re-released and put into stores in the United States. HIM was not allowed to use their name for sales because of the American band, HiM, owned the rights to that name. Therefore, they changed the name to HER in the United States. Eventually, they were able to buy the full rights to the name HIM, and copies of the album began to be manufactured with their desired name on the packaging. Only 1,000 copies of the album exist with the HER band name, which makes it a rare collectible among "fans".
The original working title for Razorblade Romance was Gotham Roll and a demo or properly recorded song from this session leaked onto the internet (in the midst of 2004), titled "Too Happy To Be Alive." A drum machine was used for this particular session due to Pätkä leaving the band.
Album Released 24.01.2000
Track Listing:
I Love You, Poison Girl, Join Me, Right Here In My Arms, Gone With The Sin, Razorblade Kiss, Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart, Heaven Tonight, Death Is In Love With Us, Resurrection, One Last Time, The 9th Circle (OLT).
2003 - current ~ Daniel Lioneye side project
During 2001, before the group's third release, the members of HIM formed a
new band, Daniel Lioneye. This was intended as a solo project of guitarist
Linde, who took on the vocal spot and the stage name Daniel Lioneye for it. The
style of music played on the album is a bluesy-hard rock, with themes such as
sex, alcohol and rock 'n' roll, which very different from the romantic lyrics of
HIM.
Mige Amour played bass, Ville Valo was on drums, with Hiili on keyboards, and
Ike on sound effects. They released one album, The King of Rock'n Roll,
in September 2001, and only performed together for four shows. Although it was
not a commercial success, it retains a cult following.
new band, Daniel Lioneye. This was intended as a solo project of guitarist
Linde, who took on the vocal spot and the stage name Daniel Lioneye for it. The
style of music played on the album is a bluesy-hard rock, with themes such as
sex, alcohol and rock 'n' roll, which very different from the romantic lyrics of
HIM.
Mige Amour played bass, Ville Valo was on drums, with Hiili on keyboards, and
Ike on sound effects. They released one album, The King of Rock'n Roll,
in September 2001, and only performed together for four shows. Although it was
not a commercial success, it retains a cult following.
2001- 2003 ~ Deep Shadows & Brilliant Highlights
After the Daniel Lioneye project, HIM released Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights in August 2001. This was the band's first album with new keyboardist Emerson Burton, the final addition to the current line-up. Once again the album shot to #1 in their Finnish homeland. It also reached #2 in Germany. Three singles were released from it: "Pretending" (which reached #10 in Germany), "In Joy and Sorrow" and a double single featuring both "Heartache Every Moment" and "Close to the Flame." Such success further facilitated their gradual emergence into the mainstream. As with Razorblade Romance, there were problems naming the album. It was meant to be called "Ozzymandias Dargunum" and it would contain 14 tracks. The demos were recorded in 2000 in Hollola. In November 2001 total sales were nearly 400,000.
Album Released 27.08.2001 01.
Track Listing:
Salt In Our Wounds, Heartache Every Moment, Lose You Tonight, In Joy And
Sorrow, Pretending, Close To The Flame, Please Don't Let It Go, Beautiful,
Love You Like I Do, Don't Close Your Heart, In Love And Lonely (on digipak
verion only), You Are The One, (on digipak verion only)
Album Released 27.08.2001 01.
Track Listing:
Salt In Our Wounds, Heartache Every Moment, Lose You Tonight, In Joy And
Sorrow, Pretending, Close To The Flame, Please Don't Let It Go, Beautiful,
Love You Like I Do, Don't Close Your Heart, In Love And Lonely (on digipak
verion only), You Are The One, (on digipak verion only)
2003 - 2005 ~ Love Metal & And Love Said No
On April 14, 2003, HIM released Love Metal. This was the first album that did not feature singer/songwriter Ville Valo on the cover. Instead, it featured a gold heartagram, the band's well-known logo. "The Funeral of Hearts" was the first single and their first high appearance on the United Kingdom charts at #14, it also hit #3 in Germany. It was followed by "Buried Alive By Love" and "The Sacrament". (The Sacrament was recently used as the ending for the anime film Highlander: The Search for Vengeance.)
Around the time of the Love Metal album, the group became more well-known in the US and internationally when professional skateboarder and TV
personality Bam Margera began using the band's heartagram logo and promoting them extensively on his MTV series Viva La Bam. Margera produced their
video for "Buried Alive By Love", which featured a guest appearance from Natural Born Killers actress Juliette Lewis. They played at Download
Festival in 2003 on the second stage with The Hellacopters; the following year they would go on to headline the same stage.Love metal has been performed in its
entirety in march 8th 2003 in Grosse Freiheit Club,in Hamburg just a month before album's release in April 14th.The only track that was not performed was
Love's Requiem because it wasn't included in the original versions of the album,but only into digipak versions.The tickets were available for sale in the
band's official website and they were sold out within a few days.It was Ville who had the initial idea for making this gift to their fans.The show has been
included into unofficial releases, video and audio bootlegs under the name 'Buried alive' or 'Love Metal Live'.
Album Released 14. 04. 2003
Track Listing:
Buried Alive By Love, The Funeral Of Hearts, Beyond Redemption, Sweet Pandemonium, Soul on Fire, The Sacrament, Fortress Of Tears, Circle Of Fear,
Endless Dark, The Path, The Funeral Of Hearts (Video).
Around the time of the Love Metal album, the group became more well-known in the US and internationally when professional skateboarder and TV
personality Bam Margera began using the band's heartagram logo and promoting them extensively on his MTV series Viva La Bam. Margera produced their
video for "Buried Alive By Love", which featured a guest appearance from Natural Born Killers actress Juliette Lewis. They played at Download
Festival in 2003 on the second stage with The Hellacopters; the following year they would go on to headline the same stage.Love metal has been performed in its
entirety in march 8th 2003 in Grosse Freiheit Club,in Hamburg just a month before album's release in April 14th.The only track that was not performed was
Love's Requiem because it wasn't included in the original versions of the album,but only into digipak versions.The tickets were available for sale in the
band's official website and they were sold out within a few days.It was Ville who had the initial idea for making this gift to their fans.The show has been
included into unofficial releases, video and audio bootlegs under the name 'Buried alive' or 'Love Metal Live'.
Album Released 14. 04. 2003
Track Listing:
Buried Alive By Love, The Funeral Of Hearts, Beyond Redemption, Sweet Pandemonium, Soul on Fire, The Sacrament, Fortress Of Tears, Circle Of Fear,
Endless Dark, The Path, The Funeral Of Hearts (Video).
And Love Said No
And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997-2004 is HIM's first greatest hits album. It contains two unreleased songs: "And
Love Said No" and "Solitary Man", the latter of which is a Neil Diamond cover. It also had a rerecorded version of "When Love and Death Embrace" and the British version also had a rerecorded version of "It's All Tears (Drown In This Love)". The digipak version of this album came with a DVD with six songs live at Semifinal Club in Helsinki.
Album Released 15. 03. 2004
Track Listing:
And Love Said No, Join Me (Razorblade Mix), Buried Alive By Love, Heartache Every Moment, Solitary Man, Right Here In My Arms, The Funeral Of Hearts, In Joy And Sorrow, Your Sweet 666, Gone With The Sin, Wicked Game, The Sacrament, Close To The Flame, Poison Girl, Pretending (Album Version), When
Love And Death Embrace.
Bonus DVD (limited edition)
Soul On Fire (Live), The Funeral Of Hearts (Live), Beyond Redemption (Live), Sweet Pandemonium (Live), Buried Alive By Love (Live), The Sacrament (Live)
2005 - 2006 ~ Dark Light
HIM's fifth studio album, 2005's Dark Light, became the band's full breakthrough in the US, debuting in the top 20 of the Billboard Top 200 and spawning two major rock hits, "Wings of a Butterfly" and "Killing Loneliness", both of which have accompanying videos. Kat Von D appears in the video for "Killing Loneliness" tattooing the eyes Ville Valo has on his back as well as throughout in small glimpses of foreshadowing. In the summer of 2005 they played the mainstage of Download Festival with Black Sabbath and Velvet Revolver.
The success of Dark Light has also allowed a number of HIM's previous albums (including Love Metal) to chart in the United States. In October 2006, the band's official website announced that Dark Light had been certified Gold in the U.S. by the RIAA. This made HIM the first band from Finland to sell over 500,000 records in the US.
Some time during their tour to promote Dark Light, Mige and Burton wrote a song together called "Plasma Mullet" that is completely different from their other work and is not on any official release of the band. The only time it has been released to the public is when it was played on skateboarder Bam Margera's half-hour radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio or at various concerts after their performance. Margera refers to it as their "jokey song".
Album Released 27/09/2005
Track Listing:
Under the Rose, Vampire Heart, Behind the Crimson Door, Rip Out the Wings of
a Butterfly, Killing Loneliness, Dark Light, Drunk on Shadows, In the Night Side
of Eden, Play Dead, The Face of God, Venus (In Our Blood), The Cage.
The success of Dark Light has also allowed a number of HIM's previous albums (including Love Metal) to chart in the United States. In October 2006, the band's official website announced that Dark Light had been certified Gold in the U.S. by the RIAA. This made HIM the first band from Finland to sell over 500,000 records in the US.
Some time during their tour to promote Dark Light, Mige and Burton wrote a song together called "Plasma Mullet" that is completely different from their other work and is not on any official release of the band. The only time it has been released to the public is when it was played on skateboarder Bam Margera's half-hour radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio or at various concerts after their performance. Margera refers to it as their "jokey song".
Album Released 27/09/2005
Track Listing:
Under the Rose, Vampire Heart, Behind the Crimson Door, Rip Out the Wings of
a Butterfly, Killing Loneliness, Dark Light, Drunk on Shadows, In the Night Side
of Eden, Play Dead, The Face of God, Venus (In Our Blood), The Cage.
2006 - 2007 ~ Uneasy Listening Vol.1
In 2006/2007, HIM released its second and third compilation albums titled
Uneasy Listening Vol. 1 and Uneasy Listening Vol. 2, respectively.
Uneasy Listening Vol. 1 was released in 2006 on October 27 in Germany, October 30 in the United Kingdom and November 14 in the United States. The compilation contains fifteen alternate versions of HIM's lighter songs such as "In Joy and Sorrow," "The Sacrament," "Gone With the Sin," and "One Last Time." An acoustic version of "Pretending" can be found on the single for the string version of "In Joy and Sorrow."
Uneasy Listening Vol. 1 and Uneasy Listening Vol. 2, respectively.
Uneasy Listening Vol. 1 was released in 2006 on October 27 in Germany, October 30 in the United Kingdom and November 14 in the United States. The compilation contains fifteen alternate versions of HIM's lighter songs such as "In Joy and Sorrow," "The Sacrament," "Gone With the Sin," and "One Last Time." An acoustic version of "Pretending" can be found on the single for the string version of "In Joy and Sorrow."
2006 - 2007 ~ Uneasy Listening Vol. 2
Uneasy Listening Vol. 2 was released in 2007 on April 20 in Germany, April 24 and April 25 in the
rest of Europe, May 22 in the United States and May 25 in Australia.
It contains fourteen rare alternate tracks, which exemplify HIM's heavier side. These include the Black Sabbath cover "Hand of Doom," a remix of "Sigillum Diaboli," a live version of "Right Here in My Arms," and a remix of their Turbonegro cover of "Rendezvous With Anus." It also contains the much sought after version of "Buried Alive By Love" which only originally appeared on the CKY4: The Latest and The Greatest DVD. Right Here In My Arms was featured on Bam's Unholy Union.
2007 - 2008 Venus Doom
Venus Doom was released on September 14, 2007 in Finland, Ireland and Germany, September 17, 2007 internationally and September 18, 2007 in the US. At the Give It a Name Festival '07, HIM played one of the new songs, "Dead Lovers' Lane." In
an interview with The Gauntlet, Venus Doom is mostly guitar-oriented with a pronounced lack of keyboards.
The song "Passion's Killing Floor" is on the Transformers soundtrack. The first single was "The Kiss of Dawn", which has become a staple in most of their live performances, as well as Passion's Killing Floor, Dead Lovers' Lane and the epic Sleepwalking Past Hope. The video for "The Kiss of Dawn" written and directed by Meiert Avis, debuted in the UK on Scuzz TV on August 10, 2007. The next single off of Venus Doom, was "Bleed Well". The lo-fi black and white video for "Bleed Well" was shot by Meiert Avis at sound check at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles November 15, 2007. In support of the new album HIM toured North America with Bleeding Through in the fall of 07.
At the 50th annual Grammy Awards, Matt Taylor and Ville Valo, for HIM, was nominated for "Best Boxed/Special Limited Edition packaging" for Venus
Doom. Venus Doom didn't win, losing out to What It Is!: Funky Soul and Rare Grooves (1967-1977) (performed by various artists and artwork by
Masaki Koike).
Album Released 18/09/2007
Track Listing:
Venus Doom, Love In Cold Blood, Passion's Killing Floor, The Kiss Of Dawn,
Sleepwalking Past Hope, Dead Lovers' Lane, Song Or Suicide, Bleed Well, Cyanide
Sun (Album Version).
2007 - 2008 ~ Digital Versatile Doom (Live)
"Digital Versatile Doom", HIM's first official live DVD/CD, was scheduled to release on April 1, 2008, but was pushed back until April 29. It features a live performance from The Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles, as well as behind the scenes look at the show. Also featured on the DVD, the winner of HIM's biggest fans competition go to Seattle to meet the band. A special edition was available
for pre-order on February 1, 2008, which will come with a limited edition 6" X 4" numbered flipbook. The imagery is from HIM's live performance of "Sleepwalking Past Hope" at that concert.
Album Released CD/DVD 29/04/2008
Disc: 1
Passion's Killing Floor, (Rip Out) The Wings of a Butterfly, Buried Alive by Love, Wicked Game, Kiss of Dawn, Vampire Heart, Poison Girl, Dead Lovers' Lane,
Join Me in Death, It's All Tears, Sleepwalking Past Hope, Killing Loneliness, Soul on Fire, Your Sweet Six Six Six, Bleed Well, Funeral of Hearts.
Disc: 2
Intro (Blood Theme) [DVD] Passion's Killing Floor [DVD] (Rip Out) The Wings of a Butterfly [DVD] Buried Alive by Love [DVD] Wicked Game [DVD] Kiss of Dawn
[DVD] Vampire Heart [DVD] Poison Girl [DVD] Dead Lovers' Lane [DVD] Join Me in Death [DVD] It's All Tears [DVD] Sleepwalking Past Hope [DVD] Killing Loneliness [DVD] Soul on Fire [DVD] Your Sweet Six Six Six [DVD] Bleed Well [DVD] Right Here in My Arms [DVD] Funeral of Hearts [DVD] V.D.O. [DVD] Bonus Materials [DVD][*]
for pre-order on February 1, 2008, which will come with a limited edition 6" X 4" numbered flipbook. The imagery is from HIM's live performance of "Sleepwalking Past Hope" at that concert.
Album Released CD/DVD 29/04/2008
Disc: 1
Passion's Killing Floor, (Rip Out) The Wings of a Butterfly, Buried Alive by Love, Wicked Game, Kiss of Dawn, Vampire Heart, Poison Girl, Dead Lovers' Lane,
Join Me in Death, It's All Tears, Sleepwalking Past Hope, Killing Loneliness, Soul on Fire, Your Sweet Six Six Six, Bleed Well, Funeral of Hearts.
Disc: 2
Intro (Blood Theme) [DVD] Passion's Killing Floor [DVD] (Rip Out) The Wings of a Butterfly [DVD] Buried Alive by Love [DVD] Wicked Game [DVD] Kiss of Dawn
[DVD] Vampire Heart [DVD] Poison Girl [DVD] Dead Lovers' Lane [DVD] Join Me in Death [DVD] It's All Tears [DVD] Sleepwalking Past Hope [DVD] Killing Loneliness [DVD] Soul on Fire [DVD] Your Sweet Six Six Six [DVD] Bleed Well [DVD] Right Here in My Arms [DVD] Funeral of Hearts [DVD] V.D.O. [DVD] Bonus Materials [DVD][*]
2009 - 2011 ~ Screamworks: Love in Theory & Practice
On June 9, 2009, HIM announced in a phone interview with Euro-Rock Radio that they would be recording their new album in August 2009 with producer Matt Squire in Los Angeles, California. The title of the album is Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice.
The recording of the album began on August 3, 2009 and finished on October 8, 2009. On November 22, lead singer Ville Valo's birthday, the album art was released on the band's website. The album was released February 8, 2010 in the United Kingdom and France and February 9 in the United States. It was also released on February 10 in Japan and on February 12 in Germany. Their first single from the album, "Heartkiller" was released December 8, 2009 as a digital download and on February 5, 2010 as a CD single.
In an interview speaking about the song "Scared To Death" Ville says one of the working titles they first had for Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice
came from a lyric in the song "Scared To Death" which is "Pick Up Lines From Hell", but he said they didn't use that as it felt too jokey and cartoonish.
A Special Edition of Screamworks was released with a bonus disk with the entire songlist recorded as acoustic versions, this version is titled, "Baudelaire in Braille".
Album Released 09.02.2010
In Venere Veritas, Scared To Death, Heartkiller, Dying Song, Disarm Me (With Your Loneliness), Love, The Hardest Way, Katherine Wheel, In The Arms Of Rain,
Ode To Solitude, Shatter Me With Hope,Acoustic Funeral (For Love In Limbo), Like St. Valentine,The Foreboding Sense Of Impending Happiness.
The recording of the album began on August 3, 2009 and finished on October 8, 2009. On November 22, lead singer Ville Valo's birthday, the album art was released on the band's website. The album was released February 8, 2010 in the United Kingdom and France and February 9 in the United States. It was also released on February 10 in Japan and on February 12 in Germany. Their first single from the album, "Heartkiller" was released December 8, 2009 as a digital download and on February 5, 2010 as a CD single.
In an interview speaking about the song "Scared To Death" Ville says one of the working titles they first had for Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice
came from a lyric in the song "Scared To Death" which is "Pick Up Lines From Hell", but he said they didn't use that as it felt too jokey and cartoonish.
A Special Edition of Screamworks was released with a bonus disk with the entire songlist recorded as acoustic versions, this version is titled, "Baudelaire in Braille".
Album Released 09.02.2010
In Venere Veritas, Scared To Death, Heartkiller, Dying Song, Disarm Me (With Your Loneliness), Love, The Hardest Way, Katherine Wheel, In The Arms Of Rain,
Ode To Solitude, Shatter Me With Hope,Acoustic Funeral (For Love In Limbo), Like St. Valentine,The Foreboding Sense Of Impending Happiness.
2010 ~ SWRMXS
The official remix album for Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice, SWRMXS, featuring songs from Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice as remixed by artists such as Tiesto, Morgan Page, and Gavin
Russom, was released on December 7, 2010. The album is available online on iTunes, Amazon and other digital
retailers, but the physical album is available exclusively at Hot Topic stores in the US. A Special Edition of the album including a new HIM shirt featuring the new album cover was available for pre-order.
Russom, was released on December 7, 2010. The album is available online on iTunes, Amazon and other digital
retailers, but the physical album is available exclusively at Hot Topic stores in the US. A Special Edition of the album including a new HIM shirt featuring the new album cover was available for pre-order.
2012 ~ XX - 2 Decades of Love Metal
HIM is set to release a new compilation album on October 29th 2012 titled XX - Two Decades of Love Metal, featuring a new single titled "Strange World", set to be released digitally on Friday, September 21st, originally by the artist Ke.
1 . Strange World
2. Join Me (In Death)
3. Heartkiller
4. Wings Of A Butterfly
5. The Kiss Of Dawn (Radio Edit)
6. The Funeral Of Hearts (Radio Edit)
7. Right Here In My Arms (Radio Edit)
8. Pretending
9. Buried Alive By Love (Radio Edit)
10. Gone With The Sin
11. Your Sweet Six Six Six
12. The Sacrament (Radio Edit)
13. Wicked Game
14. Killing Loneliness
15. Bleed Well (Radio Edit)
16. In Joy And Sorrow (Radio Edit)
17. Poison Girl
18. Scared To Death
19. When Love And Death Embrace (Radio Edit)
20. Heartache Every Moment
1 . Strange World
2. Join Me (In Death)
3. Heartkiller
4. Wings Of A Butterfly
5. The Kiss Of Dawn (Radio Edit)
6. The Funeral Of Hearts (Radio Edit)
7. Right Here In My Arms (Radio Edit)
8. Pretending
9. Buried Alive By Love (Radio Edit)
10. Gone With The Sin
11. Your Sweet Six Six Six
12. The Sacrament (Radio Edit)
13. Wicked Game
14. Killing Loneliness
15. Bleed Well (Radio Edit)
16. In Joy And Sorrow (Radio Edit)
17. Poison Girl
18. Scared To Death
19. When Love And Death Embrace (Radio Edit)
20. Heartache Every Moment
2013 - 2014 ~ Tears On Tape
As of March 28, 2011, HIM and Sire/Warner records have parted ways. HIM's manager, Seppo, assured fans that the band is still alive and well and stated that details on future plans as well as a possible new label will be announced.
On September 13, 2011, HIM announced that they are currently working on a follow-up to 2010's Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice, but the work has been interrupted due to a rare condition afflicting drummer Gas Lipstick.
In the February 15th, 2012 issue of Kerrang! magazine Ville stated in regards to a possible record label, "I'd like the album to be released on Rise Above Records (the cult, underground doom metal label owned by Cathedral singer Lee Dorrian) I think that would be great." He also stated that the band's sound will be returning to its roots.
Tim Palmer, who produced previous albums Dark Light and Venus Doom, announced via his official Twitter account (@TimPalmerMixer) on August 16th 2012 that he is "Excited to report that I am off to London in November to work, once again with the mighty H.I.M. Stay Tuned.".
On August 18, it was confirmed by Ville Valo on the band's official facebook that "We're also entering the studio in early September with the producer
Hiili Hiilesmaa to work on our eighth full-length album, entitled Tears on Tape, to be mixed by Tim Palmer and released early 2013....".
On September 13, 2011, HIM announced that they are currently working on a follow-up to 2010's Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice, but the work has been interrupted due to a rare condition afflicting drummer Gas Lipstick.
In the February 15th, 2012 issue of Kerrang! magazine Ville stated in regards to a possible record label, "I'd like the album to be released on Rise Above Records (the cult, underground doom metal label owned by Cathedral singer Lee Dorrian) I think that would be great." He also stated that the band's sound will be returning to its roots.
Tim Palmer, who produced previous albums Dark Light and Venus Doom, announced via his official Twitter account (@TimPalmerMixer) on August 16th 2012 that he is "Excited to report that I am off to London in November to work, once again with the mighty H.I.M. Stay Tuned.".
On August 18, it was confirmed by Ville Valo on the band's official facebook that "We're also entering the studio in early September with the producer
Hiili Hiilesmaa to work on our eighth full-length album, entitled Tears on Tape, to be mixed by Tim Palmer and released early 2013....".