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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.
HIM is my favorite band in the world, and I was so happy to see that they were going to be at the House of Blues!!! I thought it was a great show, and look forward to them returning to Cleveland ASAP!!!
Tons of people but that was to be expected, besides having a hard time getting a hold of the water lady every thing was awesome :)
The HIM put on a charming and witty show. They played some old familiar tunes, as well as some new ones from their new album. They played well, and sounded fabulous as to be expected. Ville Valo (Front-man) ended up talking just as much as the band was playing, but none of us ladies minded at all (I am not so sure about the men...). All in all the bands connection with the audience was great, the music was great, and we all had a jolly time.
Overall the show was AWESOME. They were amazing. I was disappointed because we waited at the end of the show to meet them, and they blew us off. They had security people telling us to leave. Telling us if we didn't get away from the bus, we were going to get ARRESTED!!! I mean, COME ON!!! They didn't give us a chance to meet them. They should have tried to see us for just a while. Since they are hardly EVER here. They haven't been here in like 4 years, the least they could have done was said hello, taken a few pics and signed some autographs. Was VERY disappointed.
What an amazing show - other than some mic issues during Catherine Wheel. The energy was electric. They performed a great mix from previous albums along with the new stuff. It was a great time!!
Dommin was amazing, and HIM stole the entire show. We Are the Fallen could have been much better. The singer had no stage presence, and could not be heard over the instruments, and when she could, it was off key and strained. Dommin's performance left little to be desired, it was totally solid. HIM however completely stole the show, blowing both the other bands out of the water..
Him played an unbelievable show.They had great stage presence and played a combination of both old and new songs.I have always liked HIM but now I see why Bam Margera always said they were the best band in the world.Also We Are The Fallen and Drive A played amazing sets as well.
The whole show was AWESOME!!! It started with Drive A who really wasn't who I'ld expect to hear when going to a HIM show but for a punk band they are really good! Then Dommin Played and they were ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! I definately think they're career will sky rocket after this tour! We are the Fallen were good, i think they should have played before Dommin really but they were good. And then HIM played!!!! They were WONDERFUL, AWESOME, and all around SUPERB!!!! Played some of my favorite songs of theirs and even did a small encore, it was more than worth the 8 hour drive and 3-4 mile walk to the theater, not to mention walking back heheh!!!!!!!!!!!!
Other than the long wait, this concert was absolutely incredible. All of the bands were extremely talented, with the exception of drive a, which to me sounded like noise and screaming; and by judging by the crowd, alot of people felt the same way. HIM was one if the best bands I have ever seen live, and if you have a chance to see them live, by all means jump on it!
I really enjoyed all of the bands that performed and I am looking into buying their CDs. Really good music and they got the crowd going. Great venue and i liked the merchandise too.
So I bought these tickets because I've been a HIM fan for eight years and have never seen them and they were amazing. Dommin and We are the Fallen were also unforgettable. The opener Drive A was a band that I'll probably forget about in two weeks, or never forget because their songs and vocals were poor. But I highly recommend this tour because HIM was amazing and I'm defiantly a fan of Dommin and We are the Fallen and would see them if they ever come around the Philadelphia area again. Overall AWESOME SHOW.
The Venue was great-Drive A, Dommin, and HIM were Awesome! Those kids from Drive A were Amazing and they have a huge future ahead of them and they can truly get the crowd motivated! I had never heard any of these bands and just came with a friend and I was pleased that I did-truly rocked :)
I wasn't in love with HIM's new album based on the singles but after hearing the songs live I changed my mind. Just goes to show how great a band they are. Also Dommin and The Fallen were great opening acts. Dommin especially left a permanent mark in my memory. Can't wait till they come to town again.
I've been a HIM fan since i bought one of their cds on sale a couple of years ago. I have only had three chances to see them in and around the boston area. went to all three, and this one has been the best by far. The intro bands were awesome, and HIM knew how to rock the show, they interacted with the audience and everything. Great finale and encore. Overall fantastic. HIM needs to come to Boston more often.
I enjoyed the event, HIM performed great like the SPECIAL GUESTS but I think it was more SPECIAL GUESTS than HIM!, a very negative point was the sound-mixing, We could not hear Ville Valo's wonderful voice well, He showed his displeasure by throwing the microphone in the middle of concert.
This concert was absolutely wonderful! This was my first time at House of Blues, but I'm sure it won't be my last. Great venue as it is a small venue. We met some of the backup bands at the end as well. HIM was wonderful and we were in the 2nd row on the floor.
I've grown up listening to HIM. Never thought I'd ever see them live, like a dream come true. Seeing them really brought me back to the good old days. They put on a great show. Plus We Are The Fallen was amazing, I will be picking up their album as well!
i attended the show not knowing any of the bands - a friend was working with 'we are the fallen' and i went to visit with him. the first band - drive a - seemed very green day derivative. they were well rehearsed and sounded technically good, but their style was very 90s cliche. maybe a little more originality in their song writing and they could be good. they did seem to do a good job engaging the crowd in general, though, especially considering their style didn't really blend with the other bands. the second band - dommin - was a little theatrical, but i found myself really enjoying them. singer had an amazing sexy voice. band had great stage presence, and they through in a great cover of 80s classic - i just died in your arms (yes, i'm a horribly tacky 80s fan! :)) we are the fallen had a great set with original music and two covers - like a prayer and a phenomenal cover of an iron maiden song. the crowd really seemed to love them! i didn't stay around for him - i wanted to spend a few minutes visiting with my friend before heading home, but the crowd was good and worked up chanting for him as i was leaving!
Though not a big fan of HIM, I did attend the concert. I saw them two years ago at Sonar and they put on an amazing show then. This event, however, was a disappointment. They were not "mending" together as they usually do. They were out of tune and out of harmony ~
the songs sounded better live..Ville brought a lot of charisma to the stage..
