The introduction of HIM
Written: Sep 09 '06 (Updated Jan 15 '07)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: The vocals of Ville Valo, the heavy fuzzy guitars, heartfelt lyrics, the band itself
Cons: The album is way to short.
The Bottom Line: The bottom line is that HIM has something to say with their music. Their music is open, honest, and raw and that is why I recommend it.
|
|
|
| sporty6's Full Review: Vol. 666 - Greatest Love Songs by HIM (Goth) |
His Infernal Majesty debuted to their homeland of Finland with a strong introductory album. Metal had something to say and Love was the topic. The band consists of Ville Valo (singer), Mige Amour (bassists), Linde (Lead Guitarists), Gas Lipstick (Drummer) and Burton Emerson (Keyboardists). When this album came out, Gas and Burton were not in the group yet but I can not remember the name of the drummer and Keyboardists for this era.
The track listing is as follows:
1) For You - Greatest opener ever 5/5
2) Your Sweet 666 - 4.5/5
3) Wicked Game - 5/5
4) The Heartless -5/5
5) Our Diabolikal Rapture - The lyrics of this song are haunting and engaging. 5/5
6) It's all tears (drown in this love) - His voice is amazing on this song. 5/5
7) When Love and Death Embrace - very beautiful and personal. 5/5
8) The Begining of the End - heartfelt and sad. It's about a girl that he was dating that was anorexic. The thing that gets me about this song is the fuzzy guitar that is present in the first 10 seconds or so. - 4.5/5
9) Don't fear the Reaper - very nice cover. 5/5
The album opens up with a strong track called "For You." There's a 23 second introduction that soon follow with Linde and Mige on the guitars and drummer leads the song with a heavyness and forcefulness that is unlike anything heard before within this genre of music. The lyrics are very heartfelt and melancholic. Lead singer Ville Valo, has stated in numerous interviews that he gains his inspiration from women. Here it is prevalent that the song is about unrequieted love that although may never be explored, he will aways be there for the person "666 ways I love and my heaven is wherever you are."
"Your Sweet 666" is the next song on the album that had many questioning the motives of the band and ridiculing the symbol of the band which has become known as the heartagram, a pentancle merged with a heart. Many believe HIM are a satanic band because of many references to 666 on this album as well as others,however, the band is anything but satanical. The song, "Your Sweet 666" is not about satan but rather about lust for another person. As Valo has stated in an interview, "It is about what goes on in your pants." The sensuality of this song can be felt and heard through the music and lyrics. Later for their second album, titled Razorblade Romance, "You Sweet 666" was re-realeased. It has a newer and more produced sound to it. Where as in the GLSV 666 version there is a substantial break in the music that can be heard, this break is more subtle on Razorblade Romance.
There is a very nice rendition of Chris Isaac's "Wicked Game." The version presented on this album is much heavier and can be considered dark which fits the HIM style very well. The lead fuzzy guitar sound propel this song. Valo does an excellent job of hitting high notes with his falsetto range that make the listener forget about his deep baritone speaking voice.
The stand out track on this album to me is "It's all Tears (Drown in this Love)." This song is driven forward by the drummer who I believe does an excellent job. The vocal control that Valo displays is incredible. The song opens with him singing with his low bass/baritone voice and then in the next second or so, he is using the higher ranges of his voice. He alternates back and forth between the two ranges with ease for the chorus. It not only shows the versatility of his musical ability but also that he is a true artist with musical talent. Each time I listen to this song I can not help but think how I wish I could do that with my voice.
There is also a nice cover of Blue Oyster Cults "Don't Fear the Reaper". The song has been HIM-atized as was "Wicked Game." The song has been slowed down incredibly and adds female vocals that compliments Valos' very nicely. The song is very well done.
All in all, this is a solid album. It is very heavy and is a nice introduction to what has been labeled as Love Metal. Linde, the guitarist, does an amazing job of producing intricate solos that sound complicated yet are so beautiful. The songwriting present by Ville Valo at the young age of 19 is remarkable because each song had something to say.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Driving
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
sporty6
|
|
Location: Los Angeles/Orange County
Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 0 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.