Tag Archives: mige

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

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

HIM Announces “Love Metal Archives” Tour

The other day the Finnish Hard Rock band announced their “Love Metal Archives Tour” and since they didn’t really offer up much than the tour dates I will list those and then chime in at the close. Here we go.

The Tour Dates:
12/09: Webster Hall – New York, NY
12/10: House Of Blues – Boston, MA
12/11: Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
12/12: The Fillmore – Silver Spring, MD
12/16: The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA
12/17: Marquee Theatre – Tempe, AZ
12/18: House Of Blues – San Diego, CA
12/19: House Of Blues – Las Vegas, NV

*** end of transmission ***

PiercingMetal Thoughts: This kind of news always brings a smile or should I say some “melancholy” to my person. I say that since HIM is so often singing about the sorrow inside romance but being completely honest I love this kind of announcement as HIM music was something very close to my own beginnings as a scribe. This band just “did it” for me with the first ever listen and I have tried to catch them on at least one of their regional visits when they come through our town. There were times when I would come to both shows but that isn’t always possible and sadly with this go round NYC is only getting one show at Webster Hall. It’s a big place so a lot of us can attend but like I said this bands fans like to go more than once. The band will be celebrating their early works with this tour and I think that is awesome and we shall be seeing expanded editions of these early CD’s on The End Records. I’ve linked some Amazon.com codes for you to pre-order them straight away. Of course if you should chance upon this post later on in time the links should still be valid. So what do you think about this tour and will you attend? If you answered “yes” I will see you in New York City for sure

Official Website: http://www.heartagram.com