Anathema
by Anonymous on 3/11/14House of Blues Anaheim - AnaheimRating: 5 out of 5The only reason why I rated this show five stars is because Anathema was there!!!

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In the annals of 21st century alternative rock history there are few artists who cast a longer or more peculiar shadow than Finnish Love Metal pioneer Ville Valo. After all, his band HIM were easily among the most iconic and idiosyncratic groups of the millenium. Zealously revered, gleefully reviled but impossible to ignore, their music left an indelible mark on a worldwide legion of fans. The scarlet letters stood for His Infernal Majesty. Their founder stood for something delightedly out of step with the status quo.
"We only hoped to temporarily redirect hard rock's blood flow from the nether regions towards the heart", reminisces Ville Valo, the singer, songwriter and primus motor of HIM. Judging by the monolithic presence of the Heartagram in any account of music this side of the millennium it's apparent that he succeeded.
Inspired by everyone from Poe to Bukowski and tinged by a penchant for perfumed Sabbathian gloom, Valo's creative lovechild would produce eight era-defining studio releases and over ten million record sales, not forgetting a Grammy nomination, countless magazine covers, critical acclaim, and the veneration of a generation. Thus it came as no surprise that the news of a farewell tour in 2017 was greeted with shock and disbelief among devotees and endless speculation as to what or who was to take up the velvet mantle.
"As fun as the funeral rites for HIM were, it took me more than a few moons to lick my wounds in the shadow of the Heartagram and come up with an excuse to strum and hum again. Eventually I decided put a leash on my beloved black dog and we started howling together instead of barking at each other. That's how Loveletting was born".
Loveletting, the first single off VV's debut album 'Neon Noir' out in early 2023, suggests this new infernal mix of light and shade is nothing short of a landmark release from one of modern music's most distinctive and intriguing voices. It belongs to the same forlorn world of woe and whimsy once conceived and governed by Valo in HIM, but with the nuanced notes of a fine aged Cabernet.
"Artistically speaking the main difference between HIM and VV is the extra line in the Heartagram, but what an exquisite line it is! It's the Mamas and the Papas dressed up as Metallica on their way to a Halloween bash at the Studio 54, and now who wouldn't want to witness that?"
Throughout their career, VV has drawn massive crowds of fans, packing venues like Theatre of Living Arts, the Depot and Summit to capacity.
The only reason why I rated this show five stars is because Anathema was there!!!
Such an amazing live band! Great hits back to back definitely would go see again.
My friend bought me the best 25th birthday present ever! She bought me tickets to see HIM live in concert at the Tabernacle in Atlanta in September 2013 and I have been waiting for that moment since I was 15! I loved the venue since I know they tend to play smaller places. The view from any spot there was perfect! They did such a great job and it was everything I ever dreamed it would be. I didn't think they'd be playing another American tour so soon after the one they just did and to my surprise they are so as SOON as they went on sale for Atlanta again I bought my tickets! Can't wait to see them again!
I attended the Rock Allegiance tour at the Hard Rock on 09/04/2013, specifically to see HIM. I've been a HIM fan for years (they are literally my favorite band), and had yet to see them live, so I jumped on the opportunity. It was my first concert in Las Vegas since I moved here with my fiancé, and it was also my first time at the Hard Rock. The venue was awesome, and I loved the fact that I could stand as close to the stage as I could get--the better to get pictures with! I didn't know any of the other bands playing, but I was very impressed by Airbourne and All That Remains. As great as the other bands were, though, HIM totally blew me away. It's one thing to watch the music videos that your favorite band puts out, and it's one thing to watch videos others have put up of your favorite band live. It's a completely different thing to be there, yourself, watching your favorite band play. I loved every second of it, and I cannot wait until the next time HIM comes around, because I'll be first in line!
I bought tickets to the show at Bogarts in Cincinnati for Feb 2010. I got them for my fiance, who's a huge HIM fan. At the time I kind of liked their music, but wasn't a big fan. Well after the concert, I became one. HIM was awesome, and the crowd was great. Very chill and everyone sang along. My fiance even caught a guitar pick. I can honestly say this was the best concert I've ever been to. I left there a mucg bigger fan of HIM.
Their are one of my all time favorite bands, and seeing them live was life changing! lol i loved it! the energy, the crowd was great, the band was just...wow! The opening acts were really good too! except for one, they were a punk rock band and they just kept cussing and cussing, and they didnt really sound good either, but that didnt ruin the show at all! but if one thing was bad then it had to be the amount of time the opening acts were given. They played foreeevvverrr!, my legs were already tired, and i was all sweaty before HIM even got on. But the show was amazing nonetheless.
it was great. the fact that you can sit in the bar and watch the whole concert is great for those that play well with others on the foor
I didn't really like Drive A but Dommin was pretty good and We Are The Fallen was good. Carly's voice was amazing..my jaw dropped. Now the headliner....HIM was AMAZING! they pull off an amazing live show. i wouldn't mind seeing this band everytime they come to Philadelphia. If you have not seen HIM live i highly recommend you do because you are missing out on such a great show.
The opening bands where great, We Are The Fallen really took me by surprise, they are awesome & HIM simply ROCKS. Ville's voice was amazing and he's funny as hell. I'll definitely see them again \m/
Ville is amazing. I can not wait until he is there again!!!
I have never seem HIM before so I was pschyed to go, especially because they're one of my favorite bands. First of all, the opening bands took forever. We are the Fallen was the longest opening act I've ever seen. I'm not sure if the show was disappointing because it was their first one back in the states and they were jetlagged or it was the crowd. The crowd sucked! Maybe if the crowd would have been better HIM would have given more. I would go see them again, only to make a final judgement on their live performances.
i think the show was awsome! the lights were especially impressive. but i think the vocals should have been amplified a little better. but all in all a great show
it wasnt necessarily the band but more the sound.during the set you could tell ville was a little frustrated his mic wasnt turned up enough.he kept looking to the side at the sound guy & telling him to turn it up.during some parts you couldnt even hear him.i was a little disappointed they didnt play in venere veritas but no biggie.i really liked Dommin as well.
HIM we awesome. The setting was small and the music was great. Dommin were amazeing, Had a great time.
This was my fourth time seeing HIM in concert and let me just say that its been the best experience yet. Drive A, Dommin, and We Are the Fallen also put on excellent performances. Ville created such a great mood, and even came out for a last time to play "Rebel Yell" by the audience's request. Could't have picked a better venue! Truly unforgettable.
the show was awesome ,was my first time to see HIM ,i really like it , Dommin And WE are the fallen was good too
HIM did an amazing job as always :) The opening bands were great as well!!
HIM played a little bit from every album, not just the latest Screamworks, and even though they played for a little over an hour - they definitely rocked the place.
The show was well worth the wait beautiful the lighting was perfect I cried when they came on stage it was truly a dream come through. I want to thank them for pushing through and making NY their last stop in the US. Everything was perfect I couldn't have asked for anything more. you will never be disappointed and their new album is full of bliss and hope. I beg that you guys purchase it- ASAP. When I went to this concert it did way more than make me want to sing and dance.. It helped me find what I lost in myself so long ago. Thank you HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HIM and the other 3 bands that played with them were all good. HIM was very energetic and sounded great.