Dark Light (HIM album)

Last updated

Dark Light
HIM - Dark Light.jpg
Studio album by
HIM
Released26 September 2005
Recorded2005
Studio The Paramour Estate in Los Angeles, California
Genre Gothic rock, pop rock [1]
Length45:30
Label Sire • Heartagram
Producer Tim Palmer
HIM chronology
And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004
(2004)
Dark Light
(2005)
Uneasy Listening Vol. 1
(2006)
Singles from Dark Light
  1. "Wings of a Butterfly"
    Released: September 2005
  2. "Vampire Heart"
    Released: November 2005
  3. "Killing Loneliness"
    Released: February 2006
  4. "Under the Rose"
    Released: 2006

Dark Light is the fifth studio album by Finnish gothic rock band HIM. Released on 26 September 2005, HIM began recording the album in March 2005 at the Paramour Estate is Los Angeles with producer Tim Palmer, who had also mixed the band's previous album Love Metal . Dark Light also served as HIM's first worldwide release with Sire Records, with whom the band had signed with in September 2004. In Finland, however, the album was released under the band's own label Heartagram. Musically, Dark Light featured a more "polished" and "accessible" sound than previous albums, and was written as a cross between Black Sabbath and U2, also influenced by the work of composer Angelo Badalamenti.

Contents

Dark Light received mostly positive reviews from critics, with many praising the writing and the band's performance, while some criticism was given to the second half of the album. Dark Light charted in fifteen countries, reaching number one in Finland, later going platinum, as well as gold in Germany, the UK and the US, making HIM the first Finnish band to receive a gold record in the United States. Three singles were also released, with "Wings of a Butterfly" peaking at number one in Finland, and "Killing Loneliness" at number two. "Wings of a Butterfly" later received the award for "Song of the Year" at the 2005 Emma Awards, and was awarded at the 2007 BMI Pop Awards as well. During the album's world tour, HIM made their live debut in various countries, including Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Production

In August 2003, HIM separated from BMG, after fulfilling their contractual obligations to the label. [2] In September 2004, HIM announced that they had signed a new recording contract with Sire Records, who would handle the band's future releases in Europe, the United States, Japan and Australia. [3] In their native Finland, however, HIM's recordings would be released through the band's own Heartagram label. [3] In March 2005, HIM relocated to Los Angeles to start work on their fifth studio album at The Paramour Estate, with producer Tim Palmer, who had previously mixed the band's fourth album Love Metal . [4] After two days of rehearsals, the band began recording drums, which were done in two days. [4] [5] This was followed by the bass, and then guitars and keyboards. [5] The band were faced with multiple distractions during the recording process, including dogs around the estate, as well as a Playboy video shoot. [4] Because of this, the studio equipment was moved upstairs for Ville Valo to record his vocals, while the other members of the band flew to Las Vegas with professional skateboarder and friend of the band Bam Margera. [4]

In May 2005, HIM recruited Andy Wallace to mix the album; however, he was fired only a week later. [6] [7] [8] According to Valo, Wallace lost the "melancholia" in his mixes, explaining: "It sounded fucking good, but it sounded like radio-friendly American rock [...] and we're not that." [8] Thus, producer Tim Palmer was tasked with mixing the album at Electric Lady Studios in New York, after which the album was mastered by Stephen Marcussen at Sterling Sound. [8] [9] Originally planned as In the Nightside of Eden, the album's title was changed to Dark Light, because the band felt that the latter would be a more memorable title, seeing as how this would be HIM's first album to be officially released in Japan, Australia and North America. [8] The title Dark Light was inspired by a book of the same name by Mette Newth, and was also thought up as a play on words; Ville Valo's last name translates to "light", and "dark light" in Finnish would be "pimeä valo", which in turn would mean that Ville Valo was "mad". [10] Dark Light also continues the band's tradition of "contradictions in [album] titles". [11] [12] The cover art of Dark Light was designed by Matt Taylor and Sonny Gerasimowicz. [9]

Music and lyrics

According to Valo, the band entered the studio with the idea of creating a cross between Black Sabbath's Sabbath Bloody Sabbath and Achtung Baby by U2, and Dark Light has been described as more "polished" and "accessible" than HIM's previous albums. [8] [1] [14] The first half of the record was written long before entering the studio, while the second half was composed a month and a half prior, after Valo threw away much of the original material, because "it was too slow". [15] According to Valo, the band's approach on Dark Light was to make the songs sound more "cinematic, epic, and close to the listeners", inspired by the works of composer Angelo Badalamenti. [16] Valo also mentioned This Mortal Coil as an influence on the album's "spooky, eerie" sound. [17] Lyrically, Dark Light deals mostly with themes of "girls and boys and the politics of the heart". [12]

"Vampire Heart" opens with a riff reminiscent of the theme to the 1978 film Halloween , while "Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly" was described by Valo as a "link between 'She Sells Sanctuary' by The Cult and 'Billie Jean' by Michael Jackson". [11] [13] The lyrics were inspired by a legend of immortal souls possessing the wings of a butterfly, and talks about: "Whether you are willing enough to destroy something beautiful to gain yourself some power." [11] According to Valo, the song was chosen as the first single from Dark Light, because it was "the perfect song to describe what's going to happen on the entire album", containing all the signature elements of the band's sound as well. [18] [19] "Killing Loneliness" was partly inspired by professional skateboarder Brandon Novak and his heroin addiction, and talks about the various ways people "kill their loneliness, and with what", while "Behind the Crimson Door" features Valo humming a poem by Finnish author Timo K. Mukka. [10] [20] Valo described "The Face of God" as "Achtung-era U2, with Queens of the Stone Age meeting the Satanic Bee Gees", and "In the Nightside of Eden" as the "prog rock" song of the album, which also makes mention of the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri. [13] The band's cover of "Poison Heart" by the Ramones features claps by Sire Records' co-founder Seymour Stein and A&R executive Michael Goldstone. [10]

Release and promotion

HIM performing in Milan in September 2005 HIM-milano1.jpg
HIM performing in Milan in September 2005

"Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly" (under the title "Wings of a Butterfly") was released as the first single from Dark Light in September 2005, charting in ten countries, including at number one in Finland, [21] number ten in Germany and the UK, [22] [23] and at number 19 on the US Alternative Chart. [24] A music video was also produced for the song. [25] That same month, HIM embarked on European club tour to prepare for the release Dark Light. [6] The album was released on 26 September 2005, and charted in sixteen countries, including at number one in Finland and Greece, [21] [26] number four in Germany and Austria, [22] [27] and number 18 in the UK and US. [23] [24] The album would eventually be certified platinum in Finland, [28] and gold in Germany, the UK, and the US, making HIM the first Finnish artist to receive a gold record in the United States. [29] [30] [31] The North American leg of the album's supporting tour began in Portland, Oregon, on 5 October 2005, and continued until the end of November, with Skindred and Flinch serving as supporting acts. [32] In November 2005, "Vampire Heart" was released as a promotional singles from Dark Light. For the 2005 edition of the band's annual New Year's Eve shows, the event was expanded into a festival and renamed Helldone. [33]

The band were scheduled to begin a tour of the UK and Ireland in January 2006, but were forced to postpone it until February, after guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström fractured his wrist after Helldone. [34] At the 2005 Emma Awards, HIM went on to win "Rock Album of the Year", and "Song of the Year" for "Wings of a Butterfly". [35] Dark Light was also nominated for "Album of the Year". [36] On 9 February 2006, HIM began a joint seven-date tour with The Rasmus and Negative across Central Europe, after which HIM continued through Southern Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. [34] [37] Also in February 2006, "Killing Loneliness" was released as a single, charting in five countries, peaking at number two in Finland. [21] Two music videos were produced for the song, the latter of which featured a guest appearance by tattoo artist Kat Von D. [38] [39] From May to June 2006, HIM toured the US with Aiden acting as support. [40] In August 2006, HIM were nominated by Kerrang! for "Best Band on the Planet". [41] In September 2006, HIM cancelled a forthcoming North American tour, in order to begin work on a new album. [42] "Under the Rose" was also released as the final promotional single from Dark Light in 2006. In October 2007, Ville Valo was awarded at the BMI Pop Award for "Wings of a Butterfly". [43]

Reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 52/100 [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
RumbaStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [44]
Rock Hard 8.5/10 [45]
Imperiumi.net8+/10 [46]
musicOMH Positive [47]
SoundiStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [48]
Helsingin Sanomat Positive [49]
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Drowned in Sound 5/10 [50]

Dark Light received mostly mixed to positive reviews from critics, with an average score of 52 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 10 reviews. [1] The New York Times described the material as "sturdier than ever", while Q called the album a "collection of irresistible pop-rock anthems". [1] Chris Ingold of musicOMH touted Dark Light as HIM's "most accessible album to date", containing "the powerful sense of identity and cohesion that has allowed the band to shamelessly rip-off all manner of classic rock moments yet always sound like themselves." [47] Rumba's Tapio Ahola gave the album five out of five stars, praising it as fulfilling the potential of the band, as well as featuring material "with more depth" than some of the group's other work. [44] Conny Schiffbauer of Rock Hard , who gave the album eight-point-five out of ten, called Dark Light a "successful album", giving praise to both the vocals and instrumentation, and likening the album to The Cult, Black Sabbath and U2. [45] Turkka Holmqvist of Imperiumi.net gave the album eight-plus out of ten, and called it "fresh" and a "positive surprise". [46] He did, however, comment on only half the album being up to par, but concluded that the album "takes the band back to the times when they were good on their own terms". [46] Vesa Sirén of Soundi described Valo's melodies as sounding even more like traditional Finnish schlager than before, and commended the arrangements as "precise" and "nuanced". [48] Sirén also felt that the second half of the album did not live up to the first, but still awarded Dark Light four stars out of five. [48]

Tero Valkonen of Helsingin Sanomat was positive in his review, singling out "Wings of a Butterfly" and "In the Nightside of Eden" as particular highlights, but did still criticize the album for following the same formula as the band's previous efforts. [49] AllMusic awarded the album three-and-a-half stars out of five, and described it as "glossy and user-friendly". [14] Raziq Rauf of Drowned in Sound gave the album five out of ten, and called the album "unremarkable" yet "solid". [50] He praised Valo's performance, but criticized the material backing him as "dull" and "turgid backwash". [50] NME also described Dark Light as "wimpy", giving the album 40 out of 100. [1] Spin gave the album 25 out 100, and stated that Dark Light "gives new meaning to the phrase virgin sacrifice", while Stylus Magazine felt that "there's nothing to get excited or exhilarated over" on the album, also giving the album 25 out of 100. [1]

In 2016, the readers of Metal Hammer magazine voted Dark Light the second best metal album of the 21st century, second only to Babymetal's self-titled debut. [51] In 2017, Valo revisited Dark Light and described it as a "pretty experimental record" for the band, stating: "Finnish melancholia was brought to the middle of the sunny city of angels, and we forcefully tried wed them. A good combination of the two." [52] Loudwire later ranked Dark Light fourth in the band's discography, giving praise to the production and songwriting, while stating that "ultimately the 'dark' part of the title falls short of expectations." [53] Kaaoszine ranked Dark Light as the second-best HIM album, stating: "Some albums are like a gateway to a dreamworld bigger than life. Dark Light is one of those records." [54]

Track listing

All tracks written by Ville Valo, except where noted.

No.TitleLength
1."Vampire Heart"4:46
2."Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly"3:30
3."Under the Rose"4:50
4."Killing Loneliness"4:29
5."Dark Light"4:31
6."Behind the Crimson Door"4:37
7."The Face of God"4:36
8."Drunk on Shadows"3:49
9."Play Dead"4:36
10."In the Nightside of Eden"5:40
Total length:45:44
Limited Edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
11."The Cage"4:17
Total length:50:01
Japanese/iTunes/Spotify bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."Poison Heart" Dee Dee Ramone, Daniel Rey 3:41
Total length:48:58
Heartagram Internet Edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
11."Venus (In Our Blood)"4:32
12."The Cage"4:17
Total length:54:33
Gatefold vinyl bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."Venus (In Our Blood)" 4:32
12."The Cage" 4:17
13."Poison Heart"Dee Dee Ramone, Daniel Rey3:41
Total length:58:14

Personnel

Charts

ChartPeak
position
Australian Albums Chart [55] 40
Austrian Albums Chart [27] 4
Belgium Albums Chart [56] 42
Finnish Albums Chart [21] 1
French Albums Chart [57] 155
German Albums Chart [22] 4
Greek Albums Chart [26] 1
Hungarian Albums Chart [58] 15
Italian Albums Chart [59] 10
Dutch Albums Chart [60] 25
Norwegian Albums Chart [61] 13
Portuguese Albums Chart [62] 27
Spanish Albums Chart [63] 10
Swedish Albums Chart [64] 7
Swiss Albums Chart [65] 8
UK Albums Chart [23] 18
US Billboard 200 [24] 18

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Finland (Musiikkituottajat) [28] Platinum38,720 [28]
Germany (BVMI) [66] Gold100,000^
Greece (IFPI Greece) [67] Gold10,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [68] Gold100,000^
United States (RIAA) [69] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ville Valo</span> Finnish singer

Ville Hermanni Valo is a Finnish singer, songwriter and musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the gothic rock band HIM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIM (Finnish band)</span> Finnish gothic rock band

HIM was a Finnish gothic rock band from Helsinki. First formed in 1991 by vocalist Ville Valo and bassist Mikko "Mige" Paananen under the name His Infernal Majesty, the band broke up after only a few years, only to be reformed in 1995 by Valo and guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström. After being rejoined by Mige, as well as keyboardist Antto Melasniemi and drummer Juhana "Pätkä" Rantala, the band, now called HIM, released its debut album Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 in 1997. In 2000, now with drummer Mika "Gas Lipstick" Karppinen and keyboardist Juska Salminen, the band released Razorblade Romance, which reached the number one spot in Finland, Austria and Germany. The first single "Join Me in Death" also charted at number one in Finland and Germany, eventually going platinum and gold, respectively. Following the addition of Janne "Burton" Puurtinen on keyboards, HIM released Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights (2001) and Love Metal (2003). Both cracked the top ten in several countries and allowed the band to tour in the United Kingdom and the United States for the first time.

<i>Love Metal</i> 2003 studio album by HIM

Love Metal is the fourth studio album by Finnish gothic rock band HIM. Released on 11 April 2003, HIM began recording demos for the album in northern spring 2002, after an exhausting touring cycle for their previous album, which nearly broke the band up. Excited and invigorated by the new material, HIM entered Finnvox Studios in September 2002 with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa, who had previously helmed the group's 1997 debut album. Musically Love Metal featured a more raw and organic sound, inspired by the band's early influences, which was also seen as a reaction to the difficulties they faced while recording their previous album. Vocalist Ville Valo has since described Love Metal as the album where HIM found their sound. Love Metal was also the band's first album to predominantly feature their logo, the Heartagram, on the cover, while the album's title was coined in the mid-nineties as a description for HIM's musical genre.

<i>Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights</i> 2001 studio album by HIM

Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights is the third studio album by Finnish gothic rock band HIM, released 27 August 2001. The album was produced by Kevin Shirley, T. T. Oksala and HIM. The record had a troubled production, which lasted approximately eleven months. The prolonged recording process was partially due outside influences within the music industry hoping to repeat the success of HIM's previous album. As a result, Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights features a sleeker and more pop-oriented sound. It is the first HIM album to feature keyboardist Janne "Burton" Puurtinen.

<i>Razorblade Romance</i> 2000 studio album by HIM

Razorblade Romance is the second studio album by Finnish gothic rock band HIM, recorded with producer John Fryer. HIM initially began recording the album with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa, who had helmed the group's 1997 debut album, however these sessions proved unsuccessful, and HIM parted ways with Hiilesmaa, and recruited Fryer. The band, along with Fryer, relocated to Rockfield Studios in Wales to begin recording, and released the album on 24 January 2000. Musically, the album featured a sleeker production and a more melodic sound compared to their debut. The album's lead single "Join Me in Death" would prove to be HIM's breakthrough single, reaching number one in Finland and Germany. The song also found its way on to the soundtrack of the 1999 science fiction film The Thirteenth Floor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marko Hietala</span> Finnish musician

Marko Tapani "Marco" Hietala is a Finnish heavy metal vocalist, bassist and songwriter. Internationally, he is best known as the former bassist, male vocalist and secondary composer to Tuomas Holopainen, of the symphonic metal band Nightwish. He is also the vocalist and bassist as well as composer and lyricist for the heavy metal band Tarot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mige (musician)</span> Finnish bassist

Mikko Henrik Julius Paananen, better known as Mige, is a Finnish musician, best known as the bassist and founding member of the gothic rock band HIM. Born to an artistic family, Mige attended the Sibelius Upper Secondary School of music and dance, when he first formed HIM with Ville Valo. The band broke up after Mige began his national military service, but they reformed in 1995. HIM would go on to release eight studio albums and become one of the most commercially successful Finnish bands of all time. The band announced their retirement in March 2017, and played their final show on New Year's Eve 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linde Lindström</span> Finnish musician

Mikko Viljami "Linde" Lindström is a Finnish musician, best known as the guitarist for the gothic rock band HIM. Influenced by the likes of Black Sabbath and Steve Vai, Lindström began playing guitar at age ten, joining the band Aurora in his teenage years, where he met Ville Valo. In 1995, the two reformed Valo's previous band HIM, which would go on to release eight studio albums and become one of the most commercially successful Finnish bands of all time, and the first to receive a gold record in the United States. In 2017, the band announced their plans to retire following a farewell tour, and played their final show on New Year's Eve 2017.

<i>Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666</i> HIM album

Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 is the debut studio album by Finnish gothic rock band HIM. The album was recorded in fifteen days during the summer of 1997 with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa, whom vocalist Ville Valo has credited as the honorary sixth member of the band due his help in honing the band's sound, and released on 3 November 1997. Musically Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 has been described as a combination of heavy metal and 1980s rock and goth, with lyrics centered around themes of love and death. The album also features the only writing credits from guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström in the band's history, and is their only album to feature keyboardist Antto Melasniemi and drummer Juhana "Pätkä" Rantala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killing Loneliness</span> 2006 single by HIM

"Killing Loneliness" is a song by Finnish rock band HIM. It was released in February 2006, as a single from their 2005 breakthrough album, Dark Light. "Killing Loneliness", along with "Wings of a Butterfly", is one of the band's best known songs in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HIM discography</span>

Finnish gothic rock band HIM has released eight studio albums, one live album, eight compilation albums, one EP, twenty-eight singles, three video albums, and twenty-nine music videos. Formed in 1991 by vocalist Ville Valo and bassist Mikko "Mige" Paananen under the name His Infernal Majesty, the band broke up in 1993, but was reformed in 1995 by Valo and guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström. After being rejoined by Mige, as well new additions keyboardist Antto Melasniemi, rhythm guitarist Oki and drummer Juhana "Pätkä" Rantala, the band, now called HIM, signed to BMG, and released the EP 666 Ways to Love: Prologue in 1996. The EP charted at number nine on the Finnish Singles Chart, and in 1997, the band, sans Oki, released their debut album Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666, which was certified gold and later platinum in Finland. In 2000, now with drummer Mika "Gas Lipstick" Karppinen and keyboardist Juska Salminen, the band released the album Razorblade Romance, which was certified double platinum in Finland, triple gold in Germany and gold in Austria. Its first single, "Join Me in Death", also charted at number-one in Finland and Germany, eventually going platinum in their home country and gold in Germany and Austria. Following the addition of Janne "Burton" Puurtinen on keyboards, HIM released Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights and Love Metal in 2001 and 2003 respectively. Both were certified platinum in Finland, as well as gold in Austria and Germany respectively.

<i>Dark Passion Play</i> 2007 studio album by Nightwish

Dark Passion Play is the sixth studio album by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish. It was released on 26 September 2007 by Spinefarm Records in Finland, 28 September by Nuclear Blast in Europe and 2 October 2007 by Roadrunner Records in the US. It is the first album without original vocalist Tarja Turunen, who was dismissed in 2005, as well as the first album involving future member Troy Donockley on uilleann pipes and tin whistle. It is the first of only two albums with vocalist Anette Olzon, who was eventually dismissed in 2012 after the release of the band's subsequent album, Imaginaerum. Tuomas Holopainen has referred to this album as the "album that saved his life".

<i>Venus Doom</i> 2007 studio album by HIM

Venus Doom is the sixth studio album by Finnish gothic rock band HIM. The album was recorded at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki with producers Hiili Hiilesmaa and Tim Palmer, both whom had collaborated with the band on various occasions, and released on 14 September 2007. During the making of Venus Doom, HIM was struggling with the personal problems of their vocalist Ville Valo. Among other things, his alcohol abuse had worsened to the point that he suffered a nervous breakdown during the recording process, after which he was admitted to the Promises Rehabilitation Clinic in Malibu by HIM's manager Seppo Vesterinen. Musically the album has been described as HIM's heaviest and darkest album to date, with influences from bands such as My Dying Bride, Anathema and Paradise Lost. Much of the album's lyrical themes and heaviness were inspired by Valo's personal difficulties, including his break-up with fiancé Jonna Nygrén.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Kiss of Dawn</span> 2007 single by HIM

"The Kiss of Dawn" is a song by Finnish band HIM. It is the fourth track from the band's sixth studio album Venus Doom (2007), and was released on 28 July 2007 as the album's lead single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burton (musician)</span> Finnish keyboardist

Janne Johannes Puurtinen, better known as Burton or Emerson Burton, is a Finnish musician. He is best known as the keyboardist of the Finnish gothic rock band HIM, with whom he has released six studio albums, and has gone on to become one of the most commercially successful Finnish bands of all time. Outside of HIM, Burton has performed and recorded with various bands, including Daniel Lioneye, Suburban Tribe and Torpedo.

<i>Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice</i> 2010 studio album by HIM

Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice, Chapters 1–13 is the seventh studio album by Finnish gothic rock band HIM. Released on 8 February 2010, the album was recorded at The Lair Studios and NRG Studios in Los Angeles with producer Matt Squire. Following his time in rehab, Screamworks was the first HIM album vocalist Ville Valo worked on completely sober. This resulted in the band rehearsing the material more than ever before, as Valo had set out to prove himself and the band following his new-found sobriety. Musically Screamworks featured a more accessible and straightforward sound than many of its predecessor, reminiscent of the music of the 1980s. Much of the album's material was inspired by Valo's relationship with an undisclosed partner, whom he referred to as his muse for the record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle Beast (band)</span> Finnish metal band

Battle Beast is a Finnish heavy/power metal band established in Helsinki in 2008 by Anton Kabanen, Juuso Soinio and Pyry Vikki. The initial line-up consisted of guitarists Soinio and Kabanen, and drummer Vikki, who were high school friends. The rest of the original lineup, bassist Eero Sipilä, keyboardist Janne Björkroth and lead singer Nitte Valo, joined the band after auditions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Lioneye</span> Finnish rock band

Daniel Lioneye is a Finnish rock band formed by members of the band HIM. Originally consisting of guitarist and vocalist Mikko "Linde" Lindström, bassist Mikko "Mige" Paananen and drummer Ville Valo, the group released their debut album The King of Rock 'n Roll in 2001, the title track of which was later used as the theme to Bam Margera's Viva La Bam TV series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bang and Whimper 2017 – The Farewell Tour</span> 2017 concert tour by HIM

Bang and Whimper 2017 – The Farewell Tour was a concert tour by the Finnish gothic rock band HIM. Originally formed in 1991, the band announced on 5 March 2017 their plans to disband following a farewell tour that same year. HIM had taken a break during 2016 but began work on new material at the end of the year. According to vocalist Ville Valo, the band felt their new material was lacking, and the band members eventually decided to disband while they were all still on good terms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ville Valo discography</span>

The solo discography of Finnish singer, songwriter and musician Ville Valo consists of one studio album, one collaboration album, one extended play, ten singles and four music videos. He has also made several guest appearances on other artists' releases.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Critic Reviews for Dark Light". Metacritic . Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  2. "H.I.M. Part Ways With Label, Seek New Record Deal". Blabbermouth . 5 August 2003. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  3. 1 2 "H.I.M. Sign With SIRE RECORDS". Blabbermouth . 9 September 2004. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "The Making of Dark Light". YouTube . Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  5. 1 2 "HIM - Dark Light Podcast #2". YouTube . Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  6. 1 2 "H.I.M. To Embark On European Club Tour In September". Blabbermouth.net . 11 June 2005. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  7. "H.I.M. Tap Andy Wallace To Mix New Album". Blabbermouth.net . 4 May 2005. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Interview with Ville Valo @ Ruisrock 2005". YouTube . Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  9. 1 2 Dark Light album sleeve notes.
  10. 1 2 3 "HIM – Loud Legacy documentary". YouTube. 25 February 2015. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 "MTV Switched on Ville Valo 2005". YouTube . Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  12. 1 2 "H.I.M. Frontman Says New Album Sounds Like 'Gothed-Up BON JOVI'". Blabbermouth.net . 16 July 2005. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  13. 1 2 3 Metal Hammer Presents HIM: Tears On Tape Fanpack Magazine – pg. 123
  14. 1 2 3 "Dark Light Review". AllMusic . Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  15. "H.I.M. Frontman Talks About Songwriting Process For 'Dark Light', Breaking U.S. Market". Blabbermouth.net . 25 November 2005. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  16. "H.I.M. To Release 'Dark Light' In September". Blabbermouth.net . 27 May 2005. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  17. "HIM - Dark Light Podcast #3". YouTube . Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  18. "Ville Valo - Associated Press interview 2005". YouTube . Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  19. "Ville Valo interview about Dark Light @ MTV Italia 2005". YouTube . Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  20. "Kohu haihtui Timo K. Mukan elämästä". Helsingin Sanomat . 3 January 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  21. 1 2 3 4 "HIM Discography". Musiikkituottajat. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  22. 1 2 3 "HIM Discography" (in German). Offiziele Deutsche Charts. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  23. 1 2 3 "HIM - Chart history". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 19 March 2017.
  24. 1 2 3 "HIM - Chart history". Billboard. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
  25. "HIM – "Wings of a Butterfly" (Music Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  26. 1 2 "Nightwish nousi ykköseksi Meksikossa, HIM Kreikassa". Helsingin Sanomat . Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  27. 1 2 "Discographie HIM" (in German). AustrianCharts.at. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
  28. 1 2 3 "HIM" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland . Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  29. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (HIM)" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved 7 February 2008.
  30. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 January 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  31. "HIM myi kultaa USA:ssa". MTV. 28 September 2006. Archived from the original on 1 August 2016. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
  32. "H.I.M.: U.S. Headlining Tour Dates Announced". Blabbermouth.net . 20 August 2005. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  33. "HIMin uudenvuodenkeikka laajenee festariksi". MTV. 15 September 2005. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
  34. 1 2 "H.I.M.: Guitarist's Fractured Wristbone Forces Postponement Of U.K. Tour". Blabbermouth.net . 8 January 2006. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  35. "Emma-winners". Musiikkituottajat. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  36. "Emma Gaala - Arkisto". Emma Gaala. Retrieved 21 April 2019. Enter 'HIM' in the field 'Suodata nimellä:'
  37. "HIM, The Rasmus ja Negative yhteiskiertueelle". Ilta-Sanomat. 20 October 2005. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  38. "HIM – "Killing Loneliness" (Music Video, feat. Kat Von D)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  39. "HIM – "Killing Loneliness" (Music Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  40. "H.I.M. To Tour U.S. With AIDEN". Blabbermouth.net . 12 March 2006. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
  41. "HIM ehdolla planeetan parhaaksi bändiksi". Ilta-Sanomat. 14 August 2006. Retrieved 26 July 2016.
  42. "HIM perui kiertueensa". Ilta-Sanomat. 28 September 2006. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  43. "Ville Valolle palkinto Wings of a Butterfly -kappaleesta". Ilta-Sanomat. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  44. 1 2 "HIM-nostalgiamatka Rumban arkistoista". Rumba. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  45. 1 2 "Dark Light Review". Rock Hard . Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  46. 1 2 3 "Dark Light Review". Imperiumi.net. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  47. 1 2 "Dark Light Review". musicOMH. 25 September 2005. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  48. 1 2 3 "Dark Light Review". Soundi. May 2007. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  49. 1 2 "Dark Light Review". Helsingin Sanomat . Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  50. 1 2 3 "Dark Light Review". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
  51. "Metal Hammer readers vote Babymetal as the best album of the 21st century". Metal Hammer . Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  52. "Jäähyväiset HIMille – Ville Valo kertoo, miksi Suomen suurin rockyhtye lopettaa ja mitä siitä seuraa". Helsingin Sanomat . 2 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  53. "HIM Albums Ranked". Loudwire . Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  54. "Tuotanto ruodinnassa: HIM". Kaaoszine. 27 December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  55. "Discography HIM". Australian-charts.com. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
  56. "Discografie HIM" (in Dutch). Ultratop.be. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  57. "Discographie HIM" (in French). LesCharts.com. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  58. "2005/39 heti Album Top 40 slágerlista" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ . Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  59. "Discografia HIM". ItalianCharts.com. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  60. "Discografie HIM" (in Dutch). Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  61. "HIM Diskografi". NorwegianCharts.com. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  62. "Discografia HIM". PortugueseCharts.com. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
  63. "Discography HIM". Spanishcharts.com. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
  64. "Discography HIM". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
  65. "Discographie HIM" (in German). HitParade.ch. Retrieved 7 February 2009.
  66. "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (HIM; 'Dark Light')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  67. "Ελληνικό Chart – Top 50 Ξένων Aλμπουμ" (in Greek). IFPI Greece . Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  68. "British album certifications – HIM – Dark Light". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  69. "American album certifications – H.I.M. – Dark Light". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved 25 July 2017.