HIM formed in 1994 though most people think they’re a new band, there’s often a lot of argument over what genre they play but I would say that it’s melodic rock/occasionally metal, goth metal if you will. They’re often described as Love Metal which is the name of this album. I fully expect bashing, I've been a HIM fan way too long to hope for itelligent disscussion all round.
Buried Alive By Love
I like the introduction to the song and the backing guitars. Ville’s vocals are good, very emotional especially in the chorus. A very catchy song which seems quite cheerful (to me anyway) but the lyrics are quite dark, fairly simplistic but heartfelt, an impression which is heightened by the singing. Overall, not the best song on the album but his semi-scream near the end is good and I’ll always enjoy it because it was the first song I ever heard from them. 8/10
The Funeral Of Hearts
A slower song this one, quite odd lyrics but that lends a bit of mystery to it all. Ville’s voice really suits this type of song, the vocals are beautiful, especially in the verses where he holds back and doesn’t scream or anything. The guitar solo is beautiful even though it may not be too technical and I like it when Ville hits the high notes, which he does well in my opinion. Really emotional and beautiful. 10/10
Beyond Redemption
One of my favourites, but then they’re all my favourites. I love the opening lines, his voice is really sexy and the introduction leading up to it is great as well. Another song with great verses and I like the way his voice goes all wavery occasionally, the chorus, however, is also good, it builds up and it’s great. The guitar solo in this song is also good but not as good as Funeral of Hearts, it sounds less smooth which I don’t like much. His breathing isn’t fair because it’s so sexy though I can see how it would annoy people (it doesn’t annoy me). His high singing at the end is good as well. 9.5/10
Sweet Pandemonium
I love the guitar in the introduction, everytime I hear it, it makes me go all shivery and it’s instantly recognisable. The drums come in a bit later and sound hollow, which is cool. His singing is soft and whispery, high at times which is beautiful, his voice is suited to this type of music; the song is slower, including the chorus which is uplifting but depressing at the same time. The guitar helps a lot with the depressing tone. The lyrics don’t make much sense at first but if you think about them they do and hey, thinking that’s got to be a good thing. The build up about a minute from the end is good but not as good as Soul on Fire and the strange guitar at the end is odd but good. 8.5/10
Soul On Fire
On of my favourites, maybe even the favourite, starts straight in with fairly heavy guitars then goes quiet for Ville’s singing, which is beautiful as usual. The chorus leads in with a wail from the guitar which makes my stomach go all tingly and his voice is harder in the chorus, complete contrast with lyrics that I like about “the living dead” etc. I love the guitar in this song, it’s great to rock to and builds up often which I really really like. The drums at the end are relentless and build up and up helping the guitar and the vocals to create a really tense atmosphere. 10/10
The Sacrement
Really pretty piano introduction, soft and quiet and really beautiful. This is a love song and the lyrics are beautiful, emotional and very heartfelt as is Ville’s singing. There’s a kind of Dr Who vibe going on with the guitar in the background which is cool, the guitar helps create a great atmosphere in most of the songs. The piano continues throughout the song, getting a sort of solo, which also gives it a nice atmosphere. A slight fault is that the chorus isn’t very recognisable as a chorus but I still love it none the less. The ending, with Ville singing on his own is beautiful. 8/10
This Fortress Of Tears
A fairly long guitar introduction which, at the beginning, is plucked (I think?) and sounds beautiful. A beautiful but depressing song, slow and Ville’s voice is harrowing, his singing is extremely emotional and this song always makes me think of suicide; “no one can free you now”, “and hold your breath on the way down” and is incredibly sad but reassuring as well “no one can hurt you now”. Another one of my favourites though some people may think he wails a bit (shame on you). Incredibly well sung, with great guitar as well. 10/10
Circle Of Fear
Slight oriental feel to the guitar in this one which I like, another slow song with a sort of high keening sound in the background (sorry for lack of technicality) which I love and contrasts with Ville’s voice which is really deep in this song. Nice chorus but not as good as earlier songs, still beautifully sung with amazing lyrics, but not as emotional as some others yet still emotional. I really love the deep voice. 8.5/10
Endless Dark
Fairly long introduction with nice guitar, Ville’s singing with short bursts of guitar is very effective and the build up to the chorus is good (still not as good as Soul On Fire though). Great lyrics as always and I love the way Ville sings with barely an accompniant. Good guitar solo, with nice distortion. The lines ; “I know where I belong, away from your Gods” are quite sinister as are the bits where his sings on his own. 8/10
The Path
Last song, with a really beautiful opening piano and echoing drums. Very moving guitar and singing. This song grew on me, I didn’t like it as much at first but Ville’s singing is again beautiful (getting repetitive this isn’t it) and very emotional, one of the more emotional songs which is why I like it so much, very, very sad but very, very beautiful. I suppose you could say he wails a bit but that’s part of what makes it so good for me. Some very nice haunting ooooohs (? Is that what you’d call them?) which I like a lot. I love the lyrics so much and the solo is great. 9.5/10
In conclusion, HIM’s style of “Love Metal” is probably not for everyone and you’d have to like the vocals otherwise you won’t like the music. I love the vocals Ville’s singing is incredibly beautiful (also sexy) and very emotional, the guitar work is good as well, simplistic maybe but still good. I’m probably biased because I’ve grown to love this album, knowing all the words, so feel free to argue. This album is amazing although it does peter out at the end due to all the faster songs at the start and it’s one of the very few albums I can listen to all the way through. Kind of depressing though *shrugs*
I’m probably biased because I’ve grown to love this album, knowing all the words, so feel free to argue.
4.5/5
