HIM - Love Metal (2003)

HIM, also known as His Infernal Majesty, was a gothic rock band that was very successful throughout the first decade of the new millennium before sales figures dwindled and the band actually broke up two years ago. The band had its breakthrough as early as in 1999 with hit single ''Join Me in Death'' that peaked the singles charts in Finland and Germany. The band repeated this accomplishment with six more singles in the next seven years in its home country. Numerous records could be described as highly creative, influential and successful in the band's career but the quintet's magnum opus might be its fourth studio record Love Metal.

The band couldn't have chosen a better title for this output. It represents the mixture between heavy metal riffs, sinister gothic rock soundscapes and darkly romantic vocals and lyrics. The album is complex, dark and poetic and it would be nearly impossible for such a challenging record to hit the charts these days. Sixteen years ago however, the band was on the pulse of its time and managed to inspire thoughtful teenagers going through emotional changes. This type of music fascinated young men with its atmosphere and energy and lead singer Ville Valo's charismatic baritone vocals and stylish looks with a cigarette in his mouth, dressed in dark clothes and multiple layers of make-up on his face was appreciated by a surprisingly elevated number of female fans.

Love Metal opens with its heaviest song in form of the desperate and fast ''Buried Alive by Love'' that was appreciated by gothics and metal fans alike. It's also courageous to open a rather atmospheric album on such an energetic note. The second tune ''Funeral of Hearts'' is a heartfelt ballad with simple and fragile melodies and charismatically sorrowful vocals. Even though the track might sound romantic and soft, the lyrics are actually bleak and sinister. This combination between beautiful fragile melodies and looming darkness in the lyrics actually summarizes the band's unique style best.

Love Metal is nowadays remembered as a soulful record on the thin line between gothic rock and gothic metal that combines moving melodies with sinister topics and represents the emotional state of mind of numerous male and female teenagers and youngh adults in the early years of the millennium. In times of the Iraq War and the September 11 attacks, many people could empathize with the bittersweet sorrow that defined HIM's records. Love Metal is the band's most challenging but also most rewarding record since epic tunes like ''This Fortress of Tears'' and ''The Path'' take some time to open up but end up unfolding intensely to leave lasting impressions.