HIM Missouri Street Team

2012-02-11T21:19:00.002-06:00

Happy Heartagram Day 2012!

Heartagram.com closing for revamp

2011-08-31T21:53:00.004-05:00

NEWS from HIM:

"Hello!

As our musical expedition is proceeding into the uncharted territories of human mind and necromantic arts, we have decided

to close the current heartagram.com website. If you have something you wish to keep from the vaults, such as photos, artwork etc, now is the time to make your move!

We would also like to thank all you dear people for visiting our site and making it a wondrous and vibrant haven of thoughts,ideas, curiosity and creativity. As someone once said: "fear not!". This is not the death of heartagram.com, merely a savage and creepy mutation..indeed it is our plan to provide you renewed online euphoria at some point in near future once the tail of the elusive sonic dragon is firmly in our grasp!

Stay safe, you will hear from us again when you least expect it!

With love&respect,

Mz & HIM"

HIM parts ways with Sire/Warner Music

2011-03-29T21:50:00.000-05:00

HIM parts ways with Sire/Warner Music:

http://www.heartagram.com/news/2011/03/28/him-part-ways-sirewarner-music

Meet Daniel Lioneye on their US tour!

2011-01-29T20:58:00.001-06:00

As Daniel Lioneye tours the US, fans will be able to meet Linde, Mige and Burton at the merchandise tables after Daniel Lioneye's set. Show your support for Daniel Lioneye and HIM by stopping by to let the guys know they rock!

February 2011

1 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
2 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
4 – Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
5 – Pomona, CA – Fox Theater
6 – Las Vegas, NV@ House of Blues
8 – Los Angeles, CA – Club Nokia Live
9 – San Francisco, CA@ Regency Ballroom
11 – Seattle, WA – Showbox Theatre
12 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory
13 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
15 – Edmonton, AB – Edmonton Events Center
16 – Calgary, AB – MacEwan Hall Ballroom
18 – Englewood, CO – Gothic Theatre
20 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
21 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
23 – Pittsburgh, PA – Club Zoo
25 – Detroit, MI – Harpo’s
26 – Toronto, ON – Pheonix Concert Theatre
27 – Montreal, QC – Metropolis
28 – Quebec City, QC – Imperial de Quebec

March 2011

2 – Philadelphia, PA – Trocadero
3 – New York, NY – Best Buy Theater
4 – Worcester, MA – Palladium
5 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
6 – Baltimore, MD – Bourbon Street Ballroom
8 – Norfolk, VA – Norva Theatre
9 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
11 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Revolution
12 – Orlando, FL – Firestone
13 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade

Daniel Lioneye Official Myspace

Daniel Lioneye Official Blog

Daniel Lioneye Merchandise

Daniel Lioneye Twitter

Daniel Lioneye Facebook

Daniel Lioneye Official Site

SWRMXS-The Official Screamworks Remix

2010-12-04T19:37:00.001-06:00

From Heartagram.com:

Tracklisting:

In Venere Veritas (Huoratron Remix)
In The Arms Of Rain (SALEM Remix)
The Foreboding Sense of Impending Happiness (Morgan Page Remix)
Ode to Solitude (Gavin Russom Remix)
Heartkiller (The Mercyfvcks Remix)
Love, The Hardest Way (Tiësto Remix)
Shatter Me With Hope (oOoOO Remix)
Dying Song (Jay Lamar & Jesse Oliver Remix)
Disarm Me (With Your Loneliness) (VV Remix)
Scared To Death (Diamond Cut Remix)
Acoustic Funeral / Like St. Valentine / Katherine Wheel (ÖÖ Megamix)

Street teamers get your promo banner codes HERE!

SWRMXS - the official Screamworks Remix Album

2010-11-04T21:18:00.000-05:00

Official news from Heartagram.com!

SWRMXS - The Official Screamworks Remix Album

HIM is pleased to announce the 12/07 release of SWRMXS - the official Screamworks Remix Album - featuring HIM songs remixed by Tiesto, Morgan Page, Gavin Russom and more. We are excited to announce that SWRMXS will also feature remixes by HUORATRON, THE MERCYFVCKS, and SALEM. The album will be available online on iTunes, Beatport and other digital retailers. The physical album will be available exclusively in stores at Hot Topic in the US. Starting 11/11 we will be taking pre-orders of a special package on www.heartagram.com that contains the remix album and a new HIM t-shirt featuring the album cover art.

HIM's Killing Loneliness on Rockband 3!

2010-08-30T00:19:00.001-05:00

Ten More Songs Announced from the Rock Band 3 Setlist! // The 'Zine // Rock Band®

Join the Daniel Lioneye Official Street Team and help them get at least 15,000 fans on Facebook by Sept!

2010-07-27T18:29:00.001-05:00

Join the Official Daniel Lioneye Street Team @ http://www.daniellioneye.proboards.com/

From Daniel Lioneye on Twitter: @DLioneye: you want us to tour? help us get to at least 15,000 on www.facebook.com/daniellioneye by Sept!

HIM Norway interviews the band HIM at Õllesummer 2010

2010-07-27T18:25:00.002-05:00

Metal Hammer 2010 Awards and Peta2's Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity!

2010-06-21T20:15:00.001-05:00

Vote for Ville Valo for Peta2's Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity!

Vote for HIM in the Best International Bands and Best Live Act categories in the Metal Hammer 2010 awards!

Kerrang! Download podcast interview with HIM

2010-06-21T20:10:00.001-05:00

HIM Interview from Rock AM Ring 2010

2010-06-21T20:09:00.001-05:00

Daniel Lioneye interview in St. Louis 4/7

2010-04-17T16:03:00.000-05:00

Lisa's interview with Linde regarding Daniel Lioneye is now online!

HIM at The Pageant in St. Louis

2010-04-11T15:16:00.002-05:00

Read Lisa's review and photos from HIM's St. Louis stop on the North American tour in support of Screamworks.

View more of Lisa's photos from St. Louis.

Check out Photographer Todd Owyoung's photos and write-up of HIM The Pageant.

www.odetosolitude.com

2010-04-11T15:08:00.000-05:00

http://www.odetosolitude.com/Check it out and pass it on!

CREATE YOUR OWN DANIEL LIONEYE VIDEO AND WIN BIG!

2010-04-09T21:00:00.002-05:00

CREATE YOUR OWN DANIEL LIONEYE VIDEO AND WIN BIG!

New Album Vol. II Out 4/27

Daniel Lioneye (H.I.M. side project) need a music video and are tasking their fans to create one for them. The band have launched a music video contest for the songs "I Have Never Wanted To Be Number One" and "Euroshaman." Go to the contest page www.redmusic.com/lioneyevideo for directions on how to download the songs, lyrics, and where to upload your video once you're done. One Grand Prize winner will recieve a white Gibson SG guitar (that was used by Linde while on tour with H.I.M.), a $500 AMEX gift card, and an autographed copy of Vol. II.Formed in 2001, Daniel Lioneye’s debut album, The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, was only released in Finland and Germany and was a “tongue in cheek” psychedelic stoner rock album. Earning the group quite a bit of attention, the band played at handful of festivals in Finland which resulted in the title track being the theme song for Bam Margera's TV show, Viva La Bam. Simply called VOL. II, the band’s North American debut is heavier than the band’s prior release, making it an extreme, yet melodic, rock n' roll album influenced by black metal.www.myspace.com/daniellioneyeofficial www.twitter.com/DLioneye

HIM's new video for 'Ode to Solitude' now online.

2010-04-02T21:31:00.001-05:00

HIM - Ode To Solitude

http://vampirefreaks.com/playvideo/?v=127847

www.heartagram.com

HIM to perform at Rock am Ring 2010

2010-04-01T15:25:00.000-05:00

HIM to perform at Rock am Ring 2010! Check out the official website for dates and details. http://www.rock-am-ring.com/

Interview with Ville Valo of HIM

2010-03-30T16:50:00.001-05:00

Interview with Ville Valo of HIM

Posted using ShareThis

Win a meet and greet with HIM from Euro-Rock Radio

2010-03-29T19:12:00.000-05:00

Check out http://www.euro-rockradio.com/ for details!

HIM starts North American tour in support of 'Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice'

2010-03-26T18:54:00.001-05:00

HIM starts North American tour in support of 'Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice'

Posted using ShareThis

Campusphilly.com interview with HIM's Ville Valo

2010-03-25T18:59:00.001-05:00

http://www.campusphilly.com/articles.nsf/frontpage/E31D5B77F27D3A2B852576EF006A18F7?OpenDocument

HIM confirmed for Download festival!

2010-03-22T20:36:00.001-05:00

HIM confirmed for Download festival! http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/

Crimsongate.com article with Linde!

2010-03-22T20:34:00.000-05:00

There's a new article with Linde on www.crimsongate.com! Check it out here: http://crimsongate.fanhost.com/LIONEYE.html

HIM's new video "Scared to Death" now on Myspace!

2010-03-21T19:08:00.002-05:00

HIM "Scared To Death"

HIM | MySpace Music Videos

HIM to headline Õllesummer festival

2010-03-20T00:08:00.000-05:00

The headline act at Summer 2010, Estonia’s biggest festival, will be Scandinavian megastars HIM, who will be taking to the stage on 15 July. For more info visit: http://www.ollesummer.ee/eng/news/article_id-467

FINNISH ROCKERS HIM TEAM UP WITH MTV GAMES AND HARMONIX’S ROCK BAND™ TO RELEASE THREE-SONG DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT PACK IN HONOR OF BAND BEING XBOX FEATURED ARTIST IN MARCH

2010-03-17T15:47:00.000-05:00

Photo Credit: Jarmo Katila

FINNISH ROCKERS HIM TEAM UP WITH MTV GAMES AND HARMONIX’S ROCK BAND™ TO RELEASE THREE-SONG DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT PACK IN HONOR OF BAND BEING XBOX FEATURED ARTIST IN MARCH

FANS AROUND THE WORLD CAN ENTER CONTEST TO WIN ROCK BAND™2 MUSIC VIDEO GAME, PLUS HIM ALBUM

Burbank, CA – On February 23^rd, Finland's hard-rock heroes HIM and Sire/Reprise teamed up with MTV Games and Harmonix to release a brand-new downloadable content of three HIM tracks, including their new single "Heartkiller," for the Rock Band™ Music Store in connection with HIM being Xbox's featured artist for the month of March. The other downloadable tracks are "Ode to Solitude" and "Wings of a Butterfly."
Now the band is asking their fans around the world to help them set the record for the largest global Rock Band performance in history. On March 25^th fans can make a video of themselves performing "Heartkiller" between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET and upload it to the HIM's YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/him) within 24 hours beginning at 10 p.m. ET to be entered into an official contest at which time the members of HIM will choose the Top 5 best performance videos. The band is asking fans to film their performances and post them at the same time in order to set the world record for the largest global Rock Band performance ever. (Videos should be tagged "Official HIM Rock Band Entry.")
The contest's winners will receive a copy of the Rock Band 2 music video game, plus a copy of HIM's new album Screamworks: Love In Theory & Practice, featuring "Heartkiller" and "Ode to Solitude." "Wings of a Butterfly" is from the band's 2005 album Dark Light. There will be three contest winners online and 10 contest winners with radio stations across the country. Don't have Rock Band at home? Record your entry at Official Rock Band Bar Night Venues nationwide on March 25^th (www.rockband.com/local).
Screamworks: Love In Theory and Practice, HIM's seventh studio album and the follow up to 2007's Venus Doom, bowed at No. 1 on the Hard Rock chart and No. 2 on both the Rock and Alternative charts. Screamworks, which was released by Sire Records on February 9^th, also debuted at No. 25 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart.
Tickets are on sale now for the band's spring North American tour in support of Screamworks. Please visit www.heartagram.com for dates and details.

www.heartagram.com

Xbox Live Game With Fame with HIM! - HIM's MySpace Blog |

2010-03-15T18:04:00.000-05:00

Xbox Live Game With Fame with HIM! - HIM's MySpace Blog |

DANIEL LIONEYE CONFIRM RELEASE OF VOL. II ON APRIL 27TH

2010-03-11T19:08:00.000-06:00

Notes From The Pit,Thursday, March 11, 2010

DANIEL LIONEYE CONFIRM RELEASE OF VOL. II ON APRIL 27TH

New Song Posted On Band’s Myspace Page

The End Records is proud to announce the worldwide release of VOL. II from Daniel Lioneye (on Warner Bros. Records in Finland), the side project from members of HIM, on April 27th. Consisting of Linde (HIM) on guitars, bass and vocals, Burton (HIM) on keyboards and Bolton (Enochian Crescent) on drums, the band has always embraced breaking boundaries and taking new directions, which is exactly what they did on their sophomore release.

Formed in 2001, Daniel Lioneye’s debut album, The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, was only released in Finland and Germany and was a “tongue in cheek” psychedelic stoner rock album. Earning the group quite a bit of attention, the band played at handful of festivals in Finland which resulted in the title track being the theme song for Bam Margera's TV show, Viva La Bam. Simply called VOL. II, the band’s North American debut is heavier than the band’s prior release, making it an extreme, yet melodic, rock n' roll album influenced by black metal.

The first song available for listening on the band's Myspace page is "I Have Never Wanted To Be Number One". Linde had the following to say about the song... "This is no doubt the most accessible song on the album and believe it or not it was written about 5 years ago. It was meant to be an acoustic ballad but this album is not about acoustic ballads so we started to fuck around with it. At first I thought that it sticks out a bit too much from the rest of the stuff and wasn't sure if I should include it. It sounded too serious and stiff to me. Then Burton came in with his 80's keys and we added the blast beat part in the end and it changed my mind. Lyrically I guess it is about moving on. But it kind of raises more questions than gives answers and I like to keep it that way."

VOL. II Tracklisting:

1. Euroshaman

2. Flatlined

3. Saturnalia

4. Neolithic Way

5. I Saw Myself

6. The Mentat

7. I Have Never Wanted To Be Number One

8. Who Turned The Lights Out

9. Kiss of the Cannibal

www.myspace.com/daniellioneyeofficial

www.twitter.com/DLioneye

Heartkiller Rock Band Contest!

2010-03-10T17:50:00.001-06:00

From HIM's Myspace:
From: HIM (4739583)
To: (45754812)
Date: 3/10/2010 3:46:20 PM
Subject: Heartkiller Rock Band Contest!

HIM is asking it’s fans from around the world to help them set the record for the largest global Rock Band performance in history. Just make a video of yourself performing "Heartkiller" on Rock Band and upload it to the HIM’s YouTube Channel and tag the video “Official HIM Rock Band Entry” on March 25th at exactly 10 p.m. ET and you will be entered into an official contest in which the members of HIM will choose the Top 5 best performance videos. The band are asking fans to film their performances and post them at the same time in order to set the world record for the largest global Rock Band performance ever! The contest’s winners will receive a copy of Rock Band, the HIM Rock Band DLC, plus a copy of HIM’s new album Screamworks, in stores now!

News from Heartagram.com!

2010-02-20T15:07:00.001-06:00

From www.heartagram.com and http://twitter.com/HeartagramTeam

Screamworks is available in Limited Edition Vinyl! http://bit.ly/dffMie!

3 HIM songs now on Rockband! http://bit.ly/dDu30n

New HIM Shirts available: http://www.heartagram.com/store/200017?cmpid=him/218/sn

HIM Video Playlist Mission http://www.heartagram.com/news/2010/02/17/video-playlist-mission

Heartagram Day interview with Ville Valo on Euro-Rock Radio!

2010-02-18T16:50:00.000-06:00

http://www.euro-rockradio.com/

Valentine's Day show photos from Rocksound!

2010-02-18T16:46:00.002-06:00

http://www.rocksound.tv/photos/article/valentines-rock-him-live

Kerrang! Podcast with Ville Valo!

2010-02-18T16:45:00.003-06:00

http://www2.kerrang.com/2010/02/kerrang_podcast_him.html

In Venere Veritas

2010-02-18T16:44:00.003-06:00

http://www.invenereveritas.com/

Heartkiller Heartagram Day Karaoke Contest

2010-02-11T16:35:00.001-06:00

From Heartagram.com:

Upload a YouTube video of you or your friends signing or playing “Heartkiller”, tagged “heartagramday2010”

After you post you video email in your link to: heartkillercontest@gmail.com

Please include:
Name:
E-mail:
Phone Number:

The most original submission will receive a Screamworks Prize Pack, including:

The Special Edition double Screamworks CD, Heartkiller CD single, Screamworks t-shirt, and a brand new Heartagram rubber bracelet.

HEARTKILLER INSTRUMENTAL:

http://wbr.edgeboss....umental_128.mov/

Contest starts Friday, Feb 12th , we will feature the best videos on Heartagram Day weekend!

Contest ends Feb 14 MIDNIGHT PST.

1 Winner will be chosen and contacted on March 1st, 2010

*WORLD WIDE CONTEST*

NEW ALBUM FROM HIM — SCREAMWORKS: LOVE IN THEORY AND PRACTICE — OUT NOW

2010-02-10T12:57:00.003-06:00

Photo Credit: Jarmo Katila NEW ALBUM FROM HIM — SCREAMWORKS: LOVE IN THEORY AND PRACTICE — OUT TODAYTICKETS ON-SALE NOW FOR BAND’S SPRING NORTH AMERICAN TOURBurbank, CA – Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice — the new album from Finland’s hard-rock heroes HIM is released today by Sire Records. Recorded at The Lair in Los Angeles, the album was produced by Matt Squire (Taking Back Sunday, The Used, Saosin) and mixed by Neal Avron (Linkin Park, Weezer, Fall Out Boy). The video for “Heartkiller,” the album’s first single, premiered on MySpace in January.Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice is HIM’s seventh studio album and the follow-up to 2007’s Venus Doom, which debuted at No. 12 in the U.S. and was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Boxed/Special Limited Edition Packaging.” In 2007, HIM, which is Ville Valo (vocals), Mige (bass), Linde (guitar), Burton (keyboards), and Gas (drums) supported Metallica in Europe before joining the Linking Park-headlined Projekt Revolution tour across America, and headlined its own U.S. theater tour. The band’s 2005 album Dark Light has the distinction of being the first album by a Finnish band to be certified gold in the U.S.Tickets are on sale now for the band’s spring North American tour in support of Screamworks. Please visit http://www.heartagram.com/ for dates and details.The track-listing for Screamworks: Love In Theory and Practice is as follows:In Venere VeritasScared to DeathHeartkillerDying SongDisarm Me (With Your Loneliness)Love, The Hardest WayKatherine WheelIn The Arms Of RainOde to SolitudeShatter Me with HopeAcoustic Funeral (For Love in Limbo)Like St. ValentineThe Foreboding Sense of Impending Happinesshttp://www.heartagram.com/

Matt Squire Interviews

2010-02-04T13:16:00.001-06:00

Interviews with 'Screamworks' producer Matt Squire are online at HIM's Official YouTube channel. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfIMh4dopcY

HIM on BBC Radio 1 and Screamworks Pre-Sale Info

2010-02-03T12:18:00.000-06:00

From: HIM (4739583)
Date: 2/3/2010 10:16:30 AM
Subject: BBC Radio 1 and Screamworks Pre-order Info!

Listen to the Rock Show with Daniel P Carter on Feb 9th for HIM session tracks and an exclusive interview.
Get more info Here!

The Heartagram Edition of Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice pre-order is now available!
Also the iTunes pre-order Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice is now live for both the STANDARD & DELUXE editions!

www.shattermewithhope.com Teaser Video

2010-02-03T12:13:00.002-06:00

www.shattermewithhope.com

Get Heartkiller on the radio! - HIM Missouri Street Team's MySpace Blog |

2010-01-30T14:34:00.000-06:00

Get Heartkiller on the radio! - HIM Missouri Street Team's MySpace Blog |

Ville Valo Speaks About "Love the Hardest Way" - HIM's MySpace Blog |

2010-01-27T15:32:00.000-06:00

Ville Valo Speaks About "Love the Hardest Way" - HIM's MySpace Blog |

NME Video Interview with Ville about Screamworks! - HIM's MySpace Blog |

2010-01-26T14:17:00.001-06:00

NME Video Interview with Ville about Screamworks! - HIM's MySpace Blog |

www.likesaintvalentinte.com

2010-01-25T16:36:00.003-06:00

Check out the new HIM video! http://www.likesaintvalentine.com/

Pre-sales begin today!!

2010-01-20T15:52:00.002-06:00

From Heartagram.com: The iTunes pre-order for the upcoming HIM album Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice is now live for both the STANDARD & DELUXE editions!

From Warner Records: Ticket pre-sales begin on the band’s website, http://tixx1.artistarena.com/him, on January 20th, 2010, and continue up until the January 22nd and 23rd public ticket on-sale dates or until the individual pre-sale tickets sell out. During the presale, fans can buy stand-alone tickets, or buy tickets that come with a copy of the band’s new album (available February 9th). There will also be a VIP pre-sale in which fans who buy tickets will receive a deluxe CD (on February 9th), as well as a limited-edition album artwork lithograph, and a VIP tour laminate granting them early entry to the concert venue.

All new Heartagram.com is online!

2010-01-20T15:50:00.000-06:00

The new Heartagram.com is online!

Ville talks about Heartkiller

2010-01-20T15:49:00.000-06:00

Ville Talks About Heartkiller

HIM | MySpace Music Videos

Helldone 2008 review and photos.

2010-01-15T15:13:00.000-06:00

Helldone 2009 at Tavastia-Helsinki, Finland
As a long-time HIM fan, I was finally able to attend Helldone for the first time 12/28/09 and 12/29/09. HIM thrilled fans with songs from the band's earlier albums, most notably 'Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights'. In addition to the older hits, HIM previewed three new songs, 'Heartkiller, 'Scared to Death' and 'Love, The Hardest Way' from the band's upcoming CD 'Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice' due February 8, 2010. HIM's US tour to support 'Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice' begins March 26, 2010.

More photos from HIM at Helldone.

Helsinki's own 69 Eyes performed acoustic sets at Semifinal to open Helldone 2009. The eager crowd of 69 Eyes fans packed into the small club to hear a combination of 69 Eyes classics and Elvis Presley covers. The 69 Eyes start their European tour to support their latest release 'Back in Blood' January 13, 2010.

Heartkiller Video!

2010-01-10T15:23:00.000-06:00

Heartkiller

HIM MySpace Music Videos

www.heartagram.com

'Heartkiller' Lyric Video!

2009-12-05T12:39:00.000-06:00

HIM TO PREMIERE NEW SINGLE “HEARTKILLER” IN THE UNITED STATES ON MYSPACE TOMORROW, DECEMBER 4th

2009-12-03T14:45:00.000-06:00

HIM TO PREMIERE NEW SINGLE “HEARTKILLER” IN THE UNITED STATES ON MYSPACE TOMORROW, DECEMBER 4th

TRACK IS FIRST SINGLE FROM FINNISH ROCK BAND’S NEW ALBUM, SCREAMWORKS: LOVE IN THEORY AND PRACTICE, DUE FROM SIRE RECORDS ON FEBRUARY 9TH, 2010

Burbank, CA – “Heartkiller,” the new single from Sire Records’ hard-rock heroes HIM, will premiere in the United States on MySpace on December 4th. The track is the first single from the band’s upcoming new album, Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice, which will be released by Sire Records on February 9th, 2010. Recorded at The Lair in Los Angeles, the album was produced by Matt Squire (Taking Back Sunday, The Used, Saosin) and mixed by Neal Avron (Linkin Park, Weezer, Fall Out Boy).

Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice is HIM’s seventh studio album and the follow-up to 2007’s Venus Doom, which debuted at No. 12 in the U.S. and was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Best Boxed/Special Limited Edition Packaging.” In 2007, HIM, which is Ville Valo (vocals), Mige (bass), Linde (guitar), Burton (keyboards), and Gas (drums) supported Metallica in Europe before joining the Linkin Park-headlined Projekt Revolution tour across America, and headlined its own U.S. theater tour. The band’s 2005 album Dark Light has the distinction of being the first album by a Finnish band to be certified gold in the U.S.

For more about HIM, please visit their official website, http://www.heartagram.com/, their myspace page www.myspace.com/heartagram, and their official online store, http://www.heartagram.com/product/?cmpid=myspaceheader/shop

Preview 'Heartkiller' at Amazon.com!

2009-12-01T16:51:00.000-06:00

http://www.amazon.com/Heartkiller-Album-Version/dp/B002YSN9RC/ref

Screamworks Album t-shirt and new 2010 wall calendar now avail... - HIM's MySpace Blog |

2009-11-24T15:01:00.001-06:00

Screamworks Album t-shirt and new 2010 wall calendar now avail... - HIM's MySpace Blog |

Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice Album Cover and U.S. ... - HIM's MySpace Blog |

2009-11-24T15:01:00.000-06:00

Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice Album Cover and U.S. ... - HIM's MySpace Blog |

New Album Update from Ville Valo!

2009-11-15T14:47:00.002-06:00

New Album Update from Ville

HIM | MySpace Video

www.heartagram.com

Metal Hammer » Blog Archive » World Exclusive: Track-By-Track Guide To The New HIM Album

2009-11-15T14:42:00.001-06:00

Metal Hammer » Blog Archive » World Exclusive: Track-By-Track Guide To The New HIM Album

Posted using ShareThis

Vote for Ville for best Metal Hammer cover!

2009-10-22T14:59:00.004-05:00

Vote for Ville for best MetalHammer cover! http://tiny.cc/sm7zw

http://twitter.com/HeartagramTeam

Ville and Pekka Himanen In LA - HIM's MySpace Blog |

2009-10-22T14:59:00.002-05:00

Ville and Pekka Himanen In LA - HIM's MySpace Blog |

Helldone Festival 2009 - HIM's MySpace Blog |

2009-10-22T14:57:00.001-05:00

Helldone Festival 2009 - HIM's MySpace Blog |

Helldone Festival 2009
Oh yes, home for the holidays! Life in Southern Cali is really nice, know what I mean? But sometimes it’s good for your soul to feel the extremes - the round-the-clock darkness and the merciless cold. After all it’s a universally known fact that there is no better place to get rid of your studio tan than Hellsinki in late December! Feel that rush again, the blood racing through your veins, feeling a-live! It’s about time, too, knowing there’s an Australian tour looming on the rapidly approaching horizon. And you’ve been itching to slip in some new songs into your set, now haven’t you?

No doubt about it, HIM is in. Then again they always have been, since the first Helldone Festival back in 2005 - and even beyond that. After all, there wouldn’t be a festival in the first place if the band hadn’t made a tradition out of playing New Year’s Eve gigs at their home base, the Tavastia club, starting all the way back in 1998!

Since early August HIM has been working on their seventh studio album in Los Angeles with producer Matt Squire. The working title of the album is “Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice” and it is scheduled to be released on Valentine’s Day 2010. Starving for live action the band has now decided they would love to headline each and every night of the Four Headed Beast from the North that is Helldone 2009!

Get some of your old friends to give us all a special treat, like go acoustic in the intimate surroundings of funky ol’ Semifinal club. Just take a sharp right after the pinball machine, there’s a short set of stairs leading down - voila, you’ve made it!
The 69 Eyes have just released the most electrifying, hard rocking album of their careers in “Back In Blood”. They will arrive at Helldone Festival red hot after an extensive American tour. Perfect timing for a breather, then - a rare chance to unplug and unwind. After a three-night residency of what will without doubt consist of vampire ballads & debauchery they will hand over the reins to Anathema acoustic.
Anathema is of course one of the forerunners of British doom metal. Formed in Liverpool 1990, they have outgrown all genres a long time ago in their ever continuing search for new ways to express feeling through sound. Anathema acoustic is a rare performance of the mellower moments from Anathema, featuring all three Cavanagh brothers with exquisite cello accompaniment. A rare thing to behold, as anyone who owns their recent acoustic album 'hindsight' can testify to.
. Invite the cream of your new favourite bands to open for you. Finland’s Finest - the next generation. Please step forward!
Flamer is the name of the new band of former Bleak frontman and songwriter Caleb. This second time around Caleb has managed to retain everything that was good in his former band, including hit single Fate off the Jade Warrior movie, add some new twists to his music and take the whole thing to the next level. Flamer’s debut album “Molotov Cocktails” is in the pipeline.
The reviews of Ghost Brigade’s 2007 debut "Guided by Fire" were glowing. ‘Impressively atmospheric, dark, intelligent and passionate’, they read. ‘Katatonia's grief collides with the wrath of Neurosis’. The guys from Jyväskylä kept their cool, stayed focused and upped their game with this year’s “Isolation Songs”. Brilliant live band, too!
After having released a handful of singles that received cult status Vanity Beach finally got around to releasing their debut album “A Life Of Vice” earlier this year. Their mission has been from the very beginning to bring back danger into rock & roll. When you listen to their mix of noisy post-punk, haunting synthesizer soundscapes and dark metal overtones, you know they’re on the right track. ‘They sound like Mötley Crüe’s soul looks like’, Metal Hammer famously commented. Everybody knows that’s a scary place to be.
Major Label is a trio from Helsinki, just three guys making this big, big music. You could label their second album “When I Am With You, You Are Safe” alternative metal, but that means you’ve only scratched the surface. The band’s own description of their music takes you a little closer to the truth: ‘our sound is like watching a Michel Gondry movie while simultaneously listening to Sigur Rós and Rage Against The Machine’. The rest is there for you to find out.
The Helldone Festival. Tons of old friends to meet, time to catch up, party to the coolest of tunes. The coolest of tunes… right! Let’s not forget our resident DJ Crew, the infamous Club TarTar DJs. Gentlemen, state your case.
“DJs extraordinaire Ginger Boy, Egyptin Portti and Stereo Ramses will shower you with the best tunes known in Valhalla and beyond. Their mad beatmismatching skillz and feverish scratching will make even the toughest pharaoh dance like a werewolf in the moonlight shadow.”
Yes, people, the Helldone Festival 2009. We promise you four nights of love & magic leading the faithful into 2010. And what a year that is promising to be!

Tickets will go on sale:
Oct 20th at 09:00am in Helsinki, Finland (EEST)
Oct 20th at 02:00am in New York (EDT)
Oct 19th at 11:00pm in Los Angeles, US (PDT)

Helldone Festival 2009
Mon 28th December Tavastia stage HIM support: Flamer + Club TarTarDJs Semifinal stage: The 69 Eyes Unplugged

Tue 29th December Tavastia stage HIM support: Ghost Brigade + Club TarTarDJs Semifinal stage: The 69 Eyes Unplugged

Wed 30th December Tavastia stage HIM support: Vanity Beach + Club TarTarDJs Semifinal stage: The 69 Eyes Unplugged

Thu 31st December Tavastia stage HIM support: Major Label + Club TarTarDJs Semifinal stage: Anathema acoustic (UK)

Tickets: 45 € / night. (PLEASE NOTE: 2 tickets per customer only)
Presale: http://www.tiketti.fi/

Tickets will go on sale Oct 20th,2009 at 09:00 (EET) Age limit: 18 and over Opening hours: 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. (except New Year’s Eve 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.)

Ville Interview For Download - Euro-Rock Radio/Promo's MySpace Blog |

2009-09-09T13:00:00.001-05:00

Ville Interview For Download - Euro-Rock Radio/Promo's MySpace Blog |

Shared via AddThis

Ville Valo Will Join Euro-Rock Radio Sept.8!

2009-08-19T17:20:00.001-05:00

From Euro-Rock Radio-
Ville Valo will be joining Euro-Rock Radio on HIM Night, Sept 8, from LA to give us an update on the new album! More details soon!

HIM at Soundwave Festival!

2009-08-19T17:19:00.001-05:00

News from Heartagram.com:

Soundwave Festival In Australia
HIM will be playing at the Soundwave Festival in Australia in February/March 2010. We will update you as soon as the date(s) the band will be playing is finalized. For ticket information see the festival site here: http://soundwavefestival.com/

Ville Valo Talks About Love, Relationships, Literature, Drinking and Drugs at SPIN Earth.

2009-07-06T15:24:00.000-05:00

http://www.spinearth.tv/report/ville-valo-talks-about-love-relationships-literature-drinking-and-drugs

Official News on HIM's New Album!

2009-06-10T13:39:00.002-05:00

From Heartagram.com:

'SCREAMWORKS: Love in Theory and Practice'
HIM will start recording a new album in Los Angeles in August with producer Matt Squire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Squire). The working title is 'SCREAMWORKS: Love in Theory and Practice' and tentative release date by Warner Records worldwide in early 2010.

Download Euro-Rock Radio's interview with Ville at www.euro-rockradio.com.

New Album News Coming June 9th!

2009-06-05T16:36:00.002-05:00

Listen to Euro-Rock Radio's HIM Night Tues. June 9th for news about HIM's new album!

http://www.euro-rockradio.com/ 8pm Eastern (7pm central, 5pm pacific, 01:00 UK)

We're now on Twitter!

2009-03-28T21:53:00.001-05:00

By TwitterButtons.com

Big Cheese and Kerrang!

2009-02-19T23:54:00.000-06:00

Big Cheese and Kerrang Feature plus the Heartagram Day 09 Collection!
HIM is featured in this month’s issue of Big Cheese. Ville is also featured in this weeks Kerrang magazine (Feb 18th) issue. Find out more Here!

See all the Heartagram Day 09 pictures Here!

Euro-Rock Radio's Interview With Ville Valo!

2009-02-08T14:44:00.002-06:00

Check it out at their blog!

Heartagram Day 2009!

2009-01-29T13:56:00.000-06:00

Go to Euro-Rock Radio. com for details and be sure to join us for Heartagram Day!

Repost and tell your friends!

Metal Hammer » Blog Archive » Hot 100: HIM

2009-01-14T20:15:00.002-06:00

Metal Hammer » Blog Archive » Hot 100: HIM

Posted using ShareThis

Hot 100: HIM
terrybezer / Features (Spanish Inquisition) / 17/12/2008 13:00pm

We tell you all the essential details of what your favourite bands are up to in 2009 in the Hot 100. Today’s edition lets you know what you can expect from the return of HIM.

“We’re in the songwriting phase, but I always am so it never stops,” explains HIM frontman Ville Valo. “The idea is to write number one hits songs… 13 of them,” he adds with a wry smile. “We’ll figure out who’ll produce it early next year and head into the studio in March or April. Hopefully we’ll be done by the festival season and be able to play new songs there. If the album doesn’t come out in autumn or winter 2009, it’ll be early 2010.”

So what can we expect from the new HIM album?

“I haven’t talked to the band for long yet, but I want to keep the songs all under five minutes and make them really punky and direct. When I say punky I don’t mean sounding like punk, I mean punk in feel. Not so much ear candy. I love over-produced albums but we’ve never tried a more stripped-down, simple approach in a Search And Destroy Iggy Pop and the Stooges type vibe. It’ll still be wanky and melancholy and have all those HIM elements, but just not so much ear candy. Venus Doom was quite a proggy album for us so I’m thinking of doing the opposite with this one.”

And as he explains, being sober has brought out his inner bastard, which we will hear on the new material: “I’m more pissed off and more aggressive. There’s no buffer between me and the real world so I’m the proper cunt I was meant to be.”

Ville Valo's Message To The Street Teams

2008-11-26T21:48:00.001-06:00

News From The Heartagram

2008-11-18T17:24:00.000-06:00

Ville Birthday Wishes
Dearest Darlings-
Want to send your birthday wishes to Ville, the heartagram team has created a place for you to send e-cards, video messages, notes or photos.

Please send your warm birthday wishes to:
villebdaywishes@gmail.com

Ville Valo On Radio Bam!

2008-11-17T20:26:00.000-06:00

Listen HERE!

Ville on Radio Bam and TSN Updates!

2008-11-13T17:30:00.001-06:00

Ville will be on Radio Bam, Monday, November 17, 2008. Ville and Deron from CKY will talk about their crazy week and news on what's next for their bands. To hear it for yourself, tune in to Sirius 28 XM 52 at 7:00 P.M. Eastern/4:00P.M. Pacific.

Updates from TSN:
Darlings-
It's once again that time of the year! If you didn't or couldn't cast your vote in Tuesday's election, all is not lost. You can still vote in your favorite candidate in the Kerrang Reader's poll. You can vote as many times as you like.
Now go flex your civic duty and vote!

Vote HERE!

Street Member of the Month

It's not too late to be a part of the Street Member of the Month sign up now!

See the new HIM Heartagram Ornament now at the HIM online store

Finnish Rockers Collaborate For Rock and Roll High School

2008-10-29T07:52:00.000-05:00

SAVE NUTA (Helsinki, Finland) is a musical collaboration involving members of bands like HIM, Scandinavian Music Group, The Latebirds, Donits Osmo Experience, The Wrecking Queens and Stunning Guns. These local heroes got together in order to save their old "Rock'N'Roll High School". This famous youth center in Helsinki's Munkkiniemi is known for its world class recording facilities a.k.a. MD-Studio. The session took place at the studio in question on a grey Saturday afternoon in October 2008. Mixed by Mr. Mikko Karmila and mastering courtesy of our pals at Chartmakers. Special guest on this recording - TOMMY RAMONE!

Credit: Save Nuta

Source: Heartagram.com

HIM's Ville Valo To Voice Madagascar 2 Character

2008-10-29T07:51:00.001-05:00

My Name Is Moto Moto.
Yeah You Say It Double

The Finnish edition of Madagascar 2 will feature our very own Ville as the voice of Moto Moto the Hippopotamus. It hits theaters in Finland on November 19 or 21*, 2008.
Moto Moto has his own song in the movie and he is the wateringhole Lothario that decides to woo Gloria the Hippo because he likes 'em big and plumpy.
Finnish trailer here and here.

EDIT: Finnish trailer with a short clip of Moto Moto and the song here.

You can see Moto Moto and hear his song in English (that will never leave your head once you hear it) at Madagascar 2's site.

*Madagascar's site says the 19th, Finnish news sites are reporting it as the 21th.

2008-10-21T23:31:00.002-05:00

Helldone 2008

TICKETS ON SALE STARTING OCTOBER 15th, 2008 @ 09.00am (EET)

Dec 29, 2008
Tavastia & Semifinal, Helsinki
Stam1na
Diablo
Godsplague

Club Teatria, Oulu
HIM
KYPCK
45 Degree Woman

---------------------------------------------

Dec 30, 2008
Tavastia & Semifinal, Helsinki
The 69 Eyes
Negative
Sara

Pakkahuone & Klubi, Tampere
HIM
KYPCK
45 Degree Woman

---------------------------------------------

Dec 31, 2008
Tavastia & Semifinal, Helsinki
HIM
KYPCK
45 Degree Woman

--------------------------------------------

At Semifinal there will be DJs everyday:
Mon. Dec. 29th TBA
Tue. Dec. 30th TBA
Wed. Dec. 31st: Jussi69

Some of this year's bands have played at the festival before but none has been invited back purely for old times sake. Each and every band in the Helldone 2008 line-up has recently reached important milestones in their careers: be it a killer album, a breakthrough in new territories or a big tour. They all are alive, hungry, fast and furious. And definitely as cool as a December night in downtown Hellsinki.

Helldone 2008 marks the tenth anniversary of HIM's New Year's Eve shows at Tavastia Club - the tradition out of which the Helldone Festival was born. Each night there will be three top bands on the Tavastia stage, while the neighbouring venue Semifinal serves as a chill out zone with some familiar faces spinning records. HIM will traditionally start their set at midnight on New Year's Eve.

Where to get tickets:

Oulu and Tampere: www.lippupalvelu.fi and www.tiketti.fi (limit 4 per customer)

Helsinki: www.tiketti.fi (limitation 2 per customer)

Helsinki 3 day pass is available through www.tiketti.fi. Price 100€. (limit 2 per customer)

Age Limits: 18 and over for all shows except for Pakkahuone the age limit is 15 and over.

Links:
Helldone Festival www.myspace.com/helldone
Tavastia www.tavastiaklubi.fi
Teatria www.teatria.com
Pakkahuone www.tullikamari.net
KYPCK www.kypck-doom.com
45 Degree Woman www.myspace.com/45dw
Stam1na www.stam1na.com
Diablo www.myspace.com/diablometal
Godsplague www.myspace.com/thegodsplague
The 69 Eyes www.69eyes.com
Negative www.negative.fi
Sara www.saranhuone.com

Transportation Options:
www.vr.fi (Finnish national railway company)
www.blue1.fi (airline)
www.finnair.fi (airline)
www.fc.fi (airline)
www.expressbus.com (busline)

Hotel Options:
www.restel.fi
www.sokoshotels.fi
www.scandichotels.com
www.radissonsas.com

HIM Channel on Youtube!

2008-10-21T22:13:00.001-05:00

Kiss of Dawn

2008-10-21T21:46:00.000-05:00

Contact

2008-10-21T21:16:00.001-05:00

Promotion Ideas

2008-10-21T20:21:00.002-05:00

Street Teams are all about promoting the bands and spreading the word:

Word of Mouth
The easiest way to inform people is simply to talk. Word of mouth is one of the biggest and most reliable forms of advertising today. So if your’re standing in line, bored at school/work, whatever, ask someone if they’ve heard of a band called HIM and if they haven’t, tell them a little about it. If you have an iPod or MP3 player with you, let them hear a track. Get them interested and they’ll go check it out.
Merchandise-
Wear the merchandise. HIM shirts, heartagrams, hoodies, jewelry, tattoos, etc... Wearing the band logo will get people’s attention and if they ask tell them what it is. And yes, you will get “Isn’t that Bam’s logo?” or “Is that a pentagram?” “Are you Satanic?” While we fans might think this is annoying, try to answer calmly and let them know what the heartagram really is and what it stands for.
Radio-
We need HIM being played on the radio! Call your local station and bug them. Email them. Go to their website and request HIM once an hour. Whatever it takes, just get them on the air.

Internet-
Next to word of mouth, the Internet is a massive advertising tool. Send people to HIM’s website and their Myspace page. Mention them in IM conversations, use HIM graphics for your buddy icons, post banners, reviewes, etc...
Myspace-
HIM has an official Myspace page. Help them raise their number of friends by posting bulletins with links to it. Drop in once a day and leave them some love in the comments. Add other HIM friends to your own Myspace page. Friend the HIM Missouri Team Myspace page to help promote as well.

Fliers and Posters-
HIM Mo. Street Team will do our best to provide you with fliers and other handouts to help promote the band. Take these to local record stores and ask if you can put them in the windows or leave them on the counters. Ask the same at your local Hot Topic or other clothing store. Go to concerts in your area and hand them out. Plaster them on the telephone poles (where it’s legal) in your neighborhood. Get the Heartagram out there!
And last but not leat: keep checking back here for more ideas and HIM Missouri Street Team events!
*Thank you Jenne and Kelly-Dallas HIM and Carrie-California team

Join Us!

2008-10-21T20:16:00.006-05:00

If you are already registered as a Street Team member, please complete just Steps 4 & 5. If you are brand new to all of this, please follow the following steps.

1. First you’ll need to join The Street Network. The street network basically manages all street teams for various bands.

2. Once you sign up for The Street Network, you then need to sign up for the HIM Team . Click the “Join the Team” link on either http://www.heartagramteam.com/ or search the team drop down menu on The Street Network .

3. You need to complete steps 1 & 2 to become an official Street Team member. This will allow Warner Bros to ship to you promotional material (stickers, flyers, promo cards, posters etc….) to promote HIM.

4. Sign up for the MO Street Team by contacting us! First stop by and send us your contact info this way we will be sure to be able to contact you when we have a MO Street Team Event or Crusade.

5. Please be sure to add us on Myspace! http://www.myspace.com/himmostreetteam

If you know another MO HIM Fan – Invite them to Join Us

Why so many Steps to join the MO Street Team?
The first two steps are to register with the National HIM Street Team, this ensures Warner Bros will send you the promotional materials needed to promote HIM and complete crusades.

The other two steps ensures that you are registered with the MO Street Team. We cover HIM band promotion in only the Missouri area. We are a group which gets together to have fun when we have a crusade or mission to complete! Or to get together before a HIM show! By signing up with your contact information & to the newsletter you will be emailed when there is a MO Street Team event in your area, news or when we are given a crusade to complete by the National Team.

So why can’t I just complete the National Team portion?
Well, if I don’t know you exist, then you won’t be notified when other MO HIMsters are getting together. You’ll have to do the crusades yourself and you won’t get to know a great group of HIM fans in your local area.

And some FAQ’s from HIM’s Street Team Site:

Who’s qualified to be part of a street team?
Anyone who can show enthusiasm and passion is qualified. The more internet access you have, the better your experience will be.

What will I have to do to be part of a street team?
Good question. Go to our “Teams” page, select the bandnames of the teams you’d like to join, and submit applications. If your submitted application is accepted, you will be asked to participate in various activities/missions (distributing stickers or flyers at a show you’re already planning to go to, hanging up posters, etc.). The more activities/missions you participate in, the more points you’ll earn. These points can be traded in for prizes, chances to win tickets, chances to meet the bands you’re working for when they visit your town, and so on.

What do I have to tell people as a member of a street team?
Sometimes, there will be a specific piece of information that we’ll want you to pass along (“Triumph The Insult Comic Dog has an album in store tomorrow!” or “www.triumphtheinsultcomicdog.com”). We’ll usually be able to send you a sticker or flyer to help drive the point home. The more points you have, the better materials you’ll receive (t-shirts, gift bags, etc.). However, the most important thing you can do to help your favorite bands is to talk about them. Music is something that almost everyone can talk about. Find people who want to talk about the kind of music you love, and make sure they know about your favorite bands.

Do I need to pay to be a part of this?
No.

Will I get to meet the bands?
The more activities/missions you participate in, the better your chances. Oftentimes, it depends on the routing of a tour. If a band is in your city, and you’re at the show, make sure we know. There is no guarantee of meeting the band!
Fill out the form below to join!

The Heartagram Symbol

2008-10-21T20:00:00.000-05:00

The Heartagram is the symbol of Finnish love metal band HIM. It is the fusion of a heart symbol (love) and a pentagram (hate). It is the creation of HIM singer/songwriter Ville Valo.

What does the Heartagram mean/stand for?

“The heartagram stands for HIM as a band, as an entity. And for love metal in general.” -Ville Valo

“For me, it’s like a new version of the yin-yang,” says Valo. “The pentagram is not necessarily an evil sign, but in horror movies and the entertainment world it’s been interpreted as the sign of the devil. And the heart obviously represents something sweet and godly. Good and bad—it’s all about the balance.” -Ville Valo

The balance of good and evil, the two main themes in life and the common themes in Valo’s lyrics.

About HIM

2008-10-21T19:51:00.003-05:00

The absolute best source for information about HIM is their official site Heartagram.com.
The following bio was taken from HIM Online

An essay on metallurgy... or was it alchemy?

Three albums into their career, with healthy combined sales of 2 million, HIM felt it was the right time to define a couple of things. Define HIM - the band. Define the music, already commonly known as love metal. And, last but not least, figure out the deeper meanings behind the mighty Heartagram!

You hold the results in your hands, in the compact form of "Love Metal". One and a half years worth of exploration and soul searching, as well as the time-honoured tradition of 'working one's ass off', has gone into these ten songs.

"There we were. Gas a hopeless Slayer addict and Burton completely hooked on Tchaikovsky. Mige getting high on Brian Eno and Linde tripping on Jimi Hendrix on a regular basis. Me, I was curing my hangovers with shots of Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison."

The 'me' being Valo, vocals and songs. Gas on drums, Burton on keyboards, Mige on bass, Linde on guitar. Collectively they are known as HIM.

"We had no idea where it would lead us in the end. Whether it would turn out to be silly psychedelic music or the meanest motherfucker of metal known to man," Valo grins. "But it felt really good. We just incorporated all the elements that came naturally and took it from there. With pretty mediocre success, of course..."

That last tongue-in-cheek shot reveals that Valo & co. are content - in fact they are immensely proud of their fourth album. Just listen to that new kind of urgency that's so evident on songs like "Buried Alive by Love" and "Soul on Fire"! The deep dark groove of "Sweet Pandemonium"! The sheer spiritual qualities of "The Sacrament" and "Circle of Fear". The innocent beauty of "The Funeral of Hearts". The purgatory that is the epic finale, "The Path". Consider love metal defined.

"It's the love of the Summer of '67 getting crushed by the metal of the post-Altamont world," Valo offers with a sly smile. "And everything's happening right here, right now! In 2003."

The making of "Love Metal" was a two-dimensional thing. The album was produced and recorded in Helsinki by Hiili Hiilesmaa, producer of the very first HIM album back in 1997. Hiilesmaa is noted for his work with mostly pretty uncompromising metal bands (Sentenced, Moonspell, Amorphis, Theatre of Tragedy...), and easygoing as he might be on the outside, in certain respects he runs a tight regime. Nobody survives his sessions if failing a serious attitude check!

"What has always fascinated me about Hiili is the manic way he approaches recording. The guy is nothing else but metal's answer to reggae's Lee 'Scratch' Perry! The Mad Scientist. One who always dares to experiment with things that others dismiss off-hand as crazy or laughable."

The second dimension came about through a transatlantic move. Next stop was Scream Studios, Los Angeles. Birthplace of Nirvana's "Nevermind", Faith No More's "The Real Thing" and countless other latter-day classics. The album was mixed there by Tim Palmer whose work, especially with U2, caught Valo's attention. A bit of a surprise, this one?

"Yes and no. U2's music as a whole isn't really my thing, that's right. Then again they have songs like "One" and "With or Without You" that are very close to the thing I try to achieve, you know, melodically, lyrically and feel-wise. But always with my own, shall I say, David Lynchian twist to it," Valo reveals. "Tim did a beautiful job unearthing all those hidden treasures within our music. I could just sit back wearing the fly glasses that Bono had left behind at the studio, and listen to the music sort of unravelling before my ears."

So it was as if a piece of Helsinki winter madness had been thrown onto Venice Beach. Or perhaps a case of LA smog vs. the midnight sun (with a few English showers thrown in for good measure, given the fact that Mr. Palmer is indeed a Briton). Light and darkness clashing. Whatever the case the different elements complement each other beautifully. The end result is a vibrant concoction of in-your-face riffs, heavy beats and sweet soulful melodies.