HIM (His Infernal Majesty) is:
Ville Valo-Vocals
Daniel Lioneye (Linde)-Guitar
Mige-Bass
Burton Emerson-Keyboards
Gas Lipstick-Drums
Tracks:
Your Sweet Six Six Six (4:12)
A nice heavy introduction song with powerful emotional vocals that gives the listener a nice perspective on how the album will generally sound. This song is actually a remake of the original Sweet Six Six Six that was featured on their first album Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666. The guitar work seems a bit less raw and it flows evenly on this version, however I rather hear the original because of the energy that was put into the song. I really still enjoy listening to this version and is always a good opener. (4.5/5)
Poison Girl (3:51)
Starts out quiet and when Ville finishes the opening line all the instruments come in. The bass particularly stands out during the verses. Gas also has some excellent drumming through the entire song. After repeating the chorus twice Linde comes in playing an interlude. It sounds like a bass but is actually some kind of distorted affect. I can't tell exactly what it is but when I play it on my guitar I just turn up the bass on my amp. Some creative lyrics in this song: "The fire in her eyes grew dim and then died as the poison inside reached her heart." (4.5/5)
Join Me In Death (3:36)
Starts out with a really beautiful keyboard intro and is played throughout most of the song. Certainly not a headbanger just a slow, soft ballad. Its mainly bass, keyboard, and simple drum beats that keeps this song alive rather than dead. Many people despise HIM greatly because of this song because they believe that HIM are a group of suicidal freaks that are obsessed with death, however this song is really about Romeo and Juliet's love that they had for one another, and how they would want to be together in death. Probably the most important single off the album, reaching #1 on music charts across the Scandinavian countries in Europe. (4.5/5)
Right Here In My Arms (4:00)
When the song begins you hear the keyboards playing and then Linde does a pick slide on his guitar and plays the main riff of the song. The verse is quiet; a simple drum beat, bass, and the faint sounds of keyboard and palm muting in the background. The chorus starts up again and you hear Ville singing "and she keeps on crying because I won't leave her alone...". The song slows down and goes into another verse, except this time shorter and the chorus is interrupted by Linde's crazy guitar solo. After Linde's continuous pick slides it goes from guitar solo to vocal and drum solo. The chorus is played once more and eventually fades out. This is one of my favorite HIM songs. (5/5)
Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart (4:15)
The song starts out so you can barely hear it. Then guitar comes in while Burton plays a nice slow riff on the keys. The lyrics really don't stand out in this song whatsoever. Ville sings simple phrases about love such as "All I ever wanted was you my love all I ever wanted was you" and sings this with repetition throughout the song. He gets his point across, but with no creativity. The song is really slow and doesn't stand out very well. (2.5/5)
Wicked Game (3:54)
This is also another remake song from Greatest Love songs Vol.666. The original version is a bit heavier and more raw. The vocals are also more energetic and emotional, but they said that they needed to "clean up" the two songs before they released the album in the United States. Linde has a nice heavy guitar riff through most of the song, except for the verses in which he is palm muting. As being a cover by Chris Issack I believe they did a great job. (4/5)
I Love You (Prelude To Tragedy) (3:09)
The next song also starts out very quiet intro with Ville whispering "I see it in your eyes I feel it in your touch I taste it from your lips and baby more I love you", then all the instruments come in. A very nice heavy riff is played throughout the song. I also enjoy when the instruments pause for Gas' quick drum beats. There is some nice dual vocals by Ville; one with a deep voice then a high pitched voice in the background. A bit short, no guitar solo by Linde, but defiantly not a bad song. (4/5)
Gone With The Sin (4:21)
The second ballad off the album once again starts out pretty quiet. Ville sings some lovely lyrics "I love your skin oh oh so white I love your touch cold, cold as ice and love every single tear you cry and love the way your losing life" Gas has another simple drum beat followed by an acoustic guitar, and bass. There seems to be a lack of keyboard in this song however. Very nice addition to the album - I strongly recommend seeing the video. (4/5)
Razorblade Kiss (4:18)
Starts out with distorted guitar and quickly all the instruments come. Nice guitar riffs throughout the entire song, and one of the most impressive guitar solos that I've ever heard from Linde. Simply amazing. During the verses you here some really nice keys by Burton. After the guitar solo it gets quiet as Ville takes the spotlight. Then the song bursts into the chorus for the last time in the song. Some great lyrics: I taste death in every kiss we share and every sundown seams to be the last we have, your breath on my skin has the scent of our end...". Probably one of my favorite HIM songs up to date. (5/5)
Resurrection (3:39)
A very beautiful song that sets a very nice atmosphere for the album. Ville has some emotional lyrics on this song: "You kissed my lips with those once cold fingertips, you reached out for me and oh how you missed and you touched my face and all life was erased." This is also a very melodic song with high pitched vocals, keyboards, and distorted guitar. The first few times I listened to this album this song didn't really stand out because it was only 3 minutes, but it will eventually. (4/5)
Death Is In Love With Us. (2:57)
Another quick song off the album, but certainly not a bad one. Obviously this song is about love and death. (Many HIM songs are.) The bass stands out pretty well in this song and the guitar work is excellent, however no solo. Some descent lyrics off this track: " I know that it hurts to much, I know that your scared, I know your running out of trust wishing you were dead and in your misery your not alone so crochet your tears with me and witness it all gone wrong." (4/5)
Heaven Tonight (3:18)
Another ballad off the album. This track probably has the most noticeable bass and keyboard. This song also contains very little guitar (except for a simple, short guitar solo towards the end.) and the drums seem very dull. Some of the most unimpressive lyrics are on this track: " I hold your hand in mine I hold your hand and your so lonely, oh so lonely" and some other simple phrases that are similar. All together the song really isn't to bad however their are much better tracks off the album. (3/5)
Sigilum Diaboli (3:53)
This song starts out right away with distorted guitar and no pauses through out the entire song. Nothing really elaborate during this song, however is a great song just to rock out to. Also is a very good song to end a concert with. This track also contains another great guitar solo, probably the second best on the album - Razorblade Kiss having the first. Ville screams "oh my love so cold!" at the end of the song. (4/5)
One Last Time (5:08)
The final track on the album "One Last Time" is a beautiful song about how people shouldn't give up on love, even though it may be cruel at times. This song starts out with an odd sound - it sounds like a woodpecker or something even though it’s probably the drums. This track contains some nice dual guitars by Linde - acoustic and electric. Some of the most beautiful lyrics featured on the album are on this track: "Is it so hard to believe our hearts are made to be broken by love adding constant dying life, the beauty of it all" - Ville sings this while the other band members sing: "oh well at least you can try love for this one last time." A perfect song to end an excellent album. (5/5)
This was my third album review as well as my third HIM review. Feel free to leave me any comments on what you liked or disliked about my review and if I need any improvement. Thank you :) - Nightside
