Tag Archives: him

“HIM Photographs” by Ville Juurikkala @ Morrison Hotel Gallery

A number of Ville Juurikkala’s HIM photographs are on display at the MHG in celebration of the bands final tour. The show will run until 11/27/2017.

On Point For “HIM Photographs” by Ville Juurikkala @ Morrison Hotel Gallery

In two days, the Finnish music sensation known as HIM will take to the stage of the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC for the very last time. This show marks the end of their North American tour and then its back to Europe and eventually Finland where they will close the book on the band with a final show on New Year’s Eve. In honor of the historic tour, photographer Ville Juurikkala has come to New York City and is showcasing a number of band photographs that he has taken over the years at the awesome Morrison Hotel Gallery. I’ve noted before that Juurikkala has pointed the lens at other great Finnish artists like Michael Monroe, The 69 Eyes, Amorphis and even Nightwish. This show is all about His Infernal Majesty however (and no, they don’t call themselves that anymore in case you wondered). I hit the gallery a little early to get a few minutes with Ville so I could share the scoop with those of you who would never be able to be there for yourself. Here’s Ville in front of two works that I liked a lot.

him photos exhibition, ville juurikkala, morrison hotel gallery

him photos exhibition, ville juurikkala, morrison hotel gallery
Continue reading On Point For “HIM Photographs” by Ville Juurikkala @ Morrison Hotel Gallery

Morrison Hotel Gallery Presents: “HIM” Photographs by Ville Juurikkala (11/14-11/27/2017)

In a few short days, the Finnish band HIM will appear in NYC for the very last time as they close out their “Farewell Tour” with the last of their US appearances. From here the band will return to Europe and Scandinavia where they will close the book on their storied career with their final show in Helsinki, Finland. In celebration of their final tour, The Morrison Hotel Gallery will be showcasing a number of photographs as done by Ville Juurikkala. Fans of the Finnish music scene will remember his name as being the guy behind the camera for The 69 Eyes and Nightwish among many others. Check out the flyer with the details below.


Continue reading Morrison Hotel Gallery Presents: “HIM” Photographs by Ville Juurikkala (11/14-11/27/2017)

HIM’s “Greatest Lovesongs, Vol. 666” Hits 20 Mournful Years (1997-2017)

Historically speaking I have been following the band HIM since around 2003 which was a full six years after their debut “Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666” would hit the racks of music stores over in Europe. This brooding opus of sound is celebrating its 20th Anniversary today. Thinking back on it, I remember that first time that I heard the band and it was while at work at an incredibly boring and terrible job as I browsed around Yahoo Music. I remember that the service was superb in letting you discover new and exciting sonic things. My first song from HIM was “Join Me In Death” from the “Razordblade Romance” album from 2000 (the bands second release) but it hooked me and once I was able to find them online, I would work my way back from there and it was a musical journey that I would greatly enjoy.

As usual with these missives they are much personal recall as I can muster together and when it comes to this particular album, it was from listening some years post release. I’d like to think that had I the chance to listen to them on their initial debut that I would have enjoyed them immensely right off the bat. I was a big fan of Type O Negative and they had a brooding and solemn sound that a lot of folks called Gothic Metal and while many would come to label these Finns as the same, I felt that Dark Metal and the soon coined “Love Metal” fit more to a tee. Founder Ville Valo made the bands framework to be about the topics of love, heartbreak and even death. During this beginning stage of the band, the groups members included Valo along with guitarist Mikko Lindstrom (Linde) and Mikko Pannanen (Mige). According to research this is the only album to feature Antto Melasniemi and Juhana Rantala on keyboards and drums. Below let’s review the original track release from the album and then discuss some favorites.
Continue reading HIM’s “Greatest Lovesongs, Vol. 666” Hits 20 Mournful Years (1997-2017)

HIM @ Hammerstein Ballroom

HIM shall perform at the Hammerstein Ballroom and NYC for one final time as the close of their US Dates on their Farewell Tour happens in the Big Apple. This will be a night that no NYC fan of the Finns shall ever forget.