H.I.M are:
Ville Valo - Lead vocals
Linde - Guitar
Mige - Bass
Burton - Keyboards
Gas - Drums
It's a show, that's been almost 8 years in waiting. And it's finally here. H.I.M are a band based in Finland, but have gained alot of recognition in the U.S. during the past few years, thanks to skater Bam Margera. But there are a few of us out here that have been die hard fans for years. And this was our night. Personally, I've been listening to H.I.M for almost 6 years, so this was something I've been dying for. So, off I was, proudly sporting my heartagram tattoos - ready for one of the best shows of my life.
Where do I even begin? From the very second the lights dimmed, and the only thing visible on stage was the golden heartagram on the backdrop, the crowd went insane. Slowly the music came in, as they came out into the darkness and went straight into their set. There was no need for fog machines, or elaborate special effects, their presence alone was enough to make this show amazing.
H.I.M has classified themselves as "Love Metal," combining melodic tunes & beautiful lyrics, with heavy riffs, and percussive beats that make you want to move. Tracks such as "Soul on Fire," and "Buried Alive By Love" prove that this band is worthy of using the word "metal" in the title of their last album, "Love Metal." But then there are the ballad-esque tracks such as "The Funeral of Hearts," and "Sweet Pandaemonium" that bring a lighter, softer note to their sound. Either way you look at it - the versatility of their sound is what makes them worth listening to.
The show was everything I had expected, and so much more. The music flowed into the hearts, and ears of the crowd... with the occasional pause here and there Ville took to talk to his fans. The energy on stage was intense, but what made the show, was Ville's passion for the music - it's phenomenal. And you can see it when he's performing.
One of the highlights of the evening was their performance of "The Sacrament." The haunting piano intro was enough to send chills down your spine. And of course, who will ever forget their cover of Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man?" Gas' percussive breakdown in that song, was great.
Overall, when you combine Ville's deep, haunting voice... with Linde's intricate guitarwork, Mige's thumping basslines, Burton's melodies on the keyboards, Gas' intensity on the drums, and some of the most beautifully written lyrics - The end result is something so amazing, it should not be missed.
In Ville's words: "It took me 10 years to do this... to realize what a miserable person I am, just looking at the names of these songs..."
It's okay Ville. It's what makes your music incredible.
You can check them out at their official website: www.heartagram.com
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