Review Summary: Chapter VII - In the Arms of Rain
Venus Doom saw HIM go heavier and darker than ever before, so it was only natural to do something completely different on the follow-up. However no one would have probably expected what they eventually got with Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice. The album has a very retro, a very eighties feel, which also shows in the cover art. While this is something most weren't expecting, it's a breath of fresh air, and puts a new twist on the HIM sound.
HIM's music has usually been defined by disparity and an overall doom-and-gloom approach. Nearly all of these elements are absent on Screamworks, but, oddly enough, it does still sound like HIM. On Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights the band experimented with softer sounds on such tracks as "Don't Close Your Heart" and "Please Don't Let It Go", but there it felt uncharacteristic and contrived. Here the softer, more hopeful approach feels welcomed and, most importantly, natural. An overall sense of youthful energy surges through the entire album.
Whereas Venus Doom emphasized guitars, Screamworks puts more focus on the keyboards. Keyboardist Burton is at the forefront of the album all the way through, from the soothingly epic "In the Arms of Rain" to the radio friendly "Scared to Death". But the real show stealer is vocalist Ville Valo, who gives his best performance ever. Valo has never sounded as energized, as youthful, or as good, as he does on Screamworks. "Disarm Me (With Your Loneliness)" and "Dying Song" are particular highlights in the vocal department.
Despite having a softer approach, Screamworks still knows how to rock. "Love, the Hardest Way" and "Shatter Me with Hope" for example both ramp up the tempo nicely, and would have worked exceptionally well live. But the real highlights of the album come with "Heartkiller", "Dying Song", "Disarm Me (With Your Loneliness)" and "In the Arms of Rain". All four display the best elements of Screamworks and perfectly represent what the album is all about. They also rank as some HIM's best work by far.
Screamworks is often seen as the black sheep of the HIM catalogue, which is a shame, because it sees the band doing something different, while still retaining their identity. Valo has never sounded as good as he does here, and the overall feel of the album screams youthful hopefulness, like the euphoric feeling of falling in love for the first time.
Recommended tracks:
"Heartkiller"
"Dying Song"
"Disarm Me (With Your Loneliness)"
"In the Arms of Rain"
