Tag Archives: ville valo

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 Reveals Final US Dates For “Bang and Whimper: The Farewell Tour” 2017

Back in March we shared the sad news about the Finnish sensation HIM and their announcement of a “Farewell Tour” and the ending of the band activity as we know it. The full press from then along with our thoughts about the news can be found on THIS POST. So please click through for a recap if this news is somehow new to you. Earlier today the band unveiled the final US Tour dates for a go round now being called the “Bang & Whimper: The Farewell Tour”. Take a look, and mark your calendars for the closest show nearest you.

The Press Release:
Following a long radio silence, Finnish rock giants HIM have announced the Bang & Whimper Tour 2017, closing the final chapter on their 26-year career. Front man Ville Valo offers, “After quarter of a century of Love and Metal intertwined we sincerely feel HIM has run its unnatural course and adieus must be said in order to make way for sights, scents and sounds yet unexplored. We completed the pattern, solved the puzzle and turned the key. Thank you.”

Formed in 1991 by vocalist Ville Valo, guitarist Mikko “Linde” Lindström and bassist Mikko “Migé” Paananen, HIM truly stand out as one of the rock world’s most unique acts. Beautifully blending metal, goth and hard rock with deep, thoughtful and moving lyrics, HIM offered the world a new take on the metal genre, which became known as Love Metal (also the title of their fourth album).

Over the course of eight studio albums, HIM captured the hearts and minds of fans across the globe, drawn by their irresistible and inimitable style. Under the banner of their Heartagram logo – a potent symbol encapsulating the juxtaposition of the light and dark, the fierce and forlorn, and the evil and love found in their music – HIM filled venues and crashed charts the world over, collecting numerous awards, gracing countless magazine covers and becoming the first Finnish act to achieve Gold status in the USA.
Continue reading HIM Reveals Final US Dates For “Bang and Whimper: The Farewell Tour” 2017

HIM Announces “Farewell Tour”; Love Metal Legends Hitting The Road For The Last Time

Now this is news that brings me great sadness as the music of HIM in concert was truly something that I have enjoyed since first deciding to try my skills at being a music scribe. The statement below comes from the bands Official Facebook Page and delineates their first stages as they call it a career. Read on.

The Facebook Post:
Following a long radio silence, Finnish rock giants HIM have announced a farewell tour, closing the final chapter on their 26 year career.

“After quarter of a century of Love and Metal intertwined we sincerely feel HIM has run its unnatural course and adieus must be said in order to make way for sights, scents and sounds yet unexplored. We completed the pattern, solved the puzzle and turned the key. Thank you.” Says frontman Ville Valo

Formed in 1991 by vocalist Ville Valo, guitarist Mikko “Linde” Lindström and bassist Mikko “Migé” Paananen, HIM truly stand out as one of the rock world’s most unique acts. Beautifully blending metal, goth and hard rock with deep, thoughtful and moving lyrics, HIM offered the world a new take on the metal genre, which became known as Love Metal (also the title of their fourth album).

him, him concert photos, ville valo, ville valo concert photos

Over the course of eight studio albums, HIM captured the hearts and minds of fans across the globe, drawn by their irresistible and inimitable style. Under the banner of their Heartagram logo – a potent symbol encapsulating the juxtaposition of the light and dark, the fierce and forlorn, and the evil and love found in their music – HIM filled venues and crashed charts the world over, collecting numerous awards, gracing countless magazine covers and becoming the first Finnish act to achieve Gold status in the USA.
Continue reading HIM Announces “Farewell Tour”; Love Metal Legends Hitting The Road For The Last Time

Drummer Gas Lipstick Has Left HIM!!

Logo - HIM

According to my memory, I’ve been listening to the band HIM since sometime in early 2003 and have been fortunate enough to catch them in concert at least once per tour to our region since 2004. That being said I was greatly saddened to learn that drummer Gas Lipstick had decided to move on from the band after sitting in the drum chair for sixteen years. I’ve copied his official statement below this photo that I snapped at one of their shows back in 2010.

gaslipstick_050710_01

“With a heavy heart I’m announcing my departure from HIM, a magnificent band that I’ve been part of for the past 16 magical years. It has been a journey that I will remember for the rest of my life. There is no drama, bad blood or any negativity involved in my departure. I simply feel that it’s time for me to move on as a musician. I have noticed during the final stages of our last tour that my heart was not in it 100% anymore.
Continue reading Drummer Gas Lipstick Has Left HIM!!