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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.
They performed great. They have always been loyal to their fans in giving them a performance of a lifetime. Not only did they play the songs from their new album but they played most of the requested songs that the fans screamed for.
Last night I saw HIM and they were awesome! Ville sounded great and the show was great! I would love to see them again!
For the most part, the music was great, the vocals not so much. The sound system set up sucked. In most cases all you could see was the singers mouth moving and that was it. The singer might as well have not been there. I like loud music, but I also like to be able to hear and understand the singer.
simply an amazing show, i saw them in san diego and los angeles never had a better time
THE SHOW WAS FREAKIN AWESOME!!!! LOVED IT!!!!!! :D
The venue was awesome, The Wilter is such a beautiful place! The three bands that went before them...Drive A: Not my type of music, so obviously was not into it at all...Dommin: Amazing band!!...We Are The Fallen: Disappointed!! Didn't like it at all Now...HIM here are all the words that I can use to describe them: professional, talented, amazing music, unbelievably touching lyrics, outstanding vocals, moving melodies, probably the best band of this century! The whole performance was just a joy to watch, seeing the great guitar riffs, to the bad as drum beats/ bass playing, the beautiful piano playing, and of course the amazing voice with such a vast vocal range....it was all just unforgettable I ENJOYED A LOT, THANKS SO MUCH GUYS <3
I've loved the band for many years now. I see them every time they are in Los Angeles. After waiting in a line for hours at Hot Topic to "meet" the band and it not happening I must say i am a little disappointed with the entire event. I arrived at the Wiltern around 630. The various opening bands were pretty good. Drive A was ok and Dommin is definitely a new favorite of mine. I get the feeling HIM and Valo are getting a bit arrogant. They didn't start their performance until after 10pm...that's way too long and honestly i would not wait that long again for them. Valo seemed to be off as well, maybe intoxicated or something. Don't get me wrong, still love the band but I expected more from them based on past events. Overall it was a good time, but even though they are good they seem to be taking advantage of their fans loyalty...and that's a move that will cost them in the future.
vocals totally muffled by the bass and guitar. sounded awful. i was incredibly dissapointed
It was great, and the first two bands, Drive A and Dommin, were amazing. HIM was beyond awesome, every song was epic.
The show was 4 hours of excellence minus the time that Drive A was on stage. They didn't really mesh with the rest of the groups. Showbox SoDo might consider relocating their VIP seating a little closer to the stage, maybe off to one side on a slightly raised platform or something like that. Visibility of the stage was iffy, but the sound was great.
Nothing against HIM. They were fine. But the band worth the price of admission was Dommin. Moving, soulful, haunting, and rocking all rolled into one awesome performance. Songs are memorable, original, unique. Kris Dommin has a voice that would make Elvis jealous. Emotional and powerful. Only wish was that their set was longer.
The whole show was great starting from the opening bands who kicked ass, I specially liked Dommin. Once HIM came on, the place went crazy and no one sat down for a minute of their performance. 5 stars definitely.
I absolutely adore the band HIM so I am very bias. I had been waiting to see them for so long that I bought tickets the day they went on sale. I had never seen a show at the Regency Ballroom and I was quite impressed with the place. It was small enough that any where you were you could see the stage well. I had got there in time to see the second band Dommin's set and they were so good I am a fan of them now too! The only thing that kinda sucked was Ville Valo's mic went out for a bout 2 minutes during a song, but the band handled it really well kinda made a joke out of it and kept playing. They sound amazing live! There is nothing worse then loving a band on CD then seeing them live ruins the whole thing..that is not the case with HIM! worth every penny!
amazing show, i have seen them a few times but i would enjoy seeing them more often.
Not only did HIM sound amazing, but the bands before them were awesome! I'm so glad I went to see them. The Wiltern is an impressive venue and appropriate for the music. Overall I was very impressed with the whole performance.
i loved every minute of this concert from meeting them at the hot topic autograph signing to the concert best day ever
the show was great on the ticket was a band by the name of wich i cant remember but sang an old favorite of chris issaks this band kicked ass and i wish them all the best of luck on their voyage to stardome --him was great never seen them live their show is one of a kind ---my sweetheart could not contain herself when she was in the presence of vil--damn him --for this night only she cheated on me mentally --i'll live
it was an awesome show.... great band live.. doesn't. disappoint
The guy is brilliant, sound engineering was well done, real loud AND clear, something most other bands and venues don't seem to care about. Dommin was great as well. "Him" My Daughtors Favorite band and first concert. Most enjoyable, Thanks we had a blast. Wouldn't recommend the other 2 bands that played.
I was very excited to be seeing HIM. Its been forever since they played in San Diego. Dommin was an unexpected surprise. Not so impressed with We Are The Fallen, although the singer, Carly Smithson, had great stage presence. HIM was amazing, even though the sound was not up to par. I know that Valo is capable of more stage presence but he seemed in more of a "fun" mood than a performance type mood. The bands playful banter between songs was welcome though. My biggest problem was all the little kids and their annoyingly protective parents. I dont have anything against kids at shows but kids that are like 6 and 10.. that just seems inappropriate. I wouldnt have minded so much if they had seats or something but the crowd has a completely different vibe at these kinds of shows and it seems that no one is aloud to really get into the music without pissing of some old person trying to chaperon. Please, no more all ages shows!