Search - Him :: Love Metal

One of the Greats.... HIM

J. Alstrand | Grass Valley, Ca USA | 06/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"HIM never fails to make incredible music. Everything about their songs has a whole nother world that each song takes you to. The songwriting is simply amazing. If someone were to ask me what's my fav. HIM song or album... I'd say all of their stuff! I don't have just one fav, I love it all."

The best album by HIM, by far.

The Junk Reviewer | 01/23/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's amazing how far HIM has come in the past decade. Since releasing the heavy, purely gothic "666 Ways To Love" EP album in Finland, they have improved more than any other band I can think of to date. Ville Valo adopted a new style of singing in "Greatest Love Songs vol. 666", with eerie vocals and heavy guitars. Then, upon releasing "Razorblade Romance", they showed the heavy side of HIM, with songs such as "Your Sweet 666", yet kept the romantic side with songs like "When Love and Death Embrace" and "Love's Requiem". "Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights" showed a lighter, more romantic side of the band.



Then there was Love Metal..



This album shows a nearly depressing side of HIM, displaying this in songs such as "The Path" and "This Fortress of Tears", yet still displays their amazing talent to encorporate Metal and lovesongs, in "Buried Alive by Love" and "Soul on Fire". Hence, the name, Love Metal..



I'll do a run-down of all the songs on Love Metal. I hope it helps..



Track One- Buried Alive by Love (10/10)



This is one of the very, very few songs ever created that has a heavy metal feel to it, yet retains beautiful lyrics. Nobody else could pull this off. Ville is a genius, and maintains control with the lyrics. You must hear this to believe it.



Track Two- The Funeral of Hearts (9/10)



"The love ballad of Love Metal". This song is purely metaphorical, saying love is the "funeral of hearts". It's not slow, but it's definately not as heavy as the preceeding track.



Track Three- Beyond Redemption (9/10)



This song is excellent. The keyboards in the beginning are quite different from other songs by HIM, and that makes it even better. Somewhat heavy guitars, and great singing, as always.



Track Four- Sweet Pandemonium (9/10)



A lot like Beyond Redemption, in terms of heaviness. Good duel-vocals by Ville, and one of the best songs on the album.



Track Five- Soul on Fire (10/10)



Starts out very abruptly and quickly, with fast guitars and great keyboards, then becomes slow for the vocals. Then picks up again. Great ranges of speed and vocals in this song, and nearly as heavy as Buried Alive by Love.



Track Six- The Sacrament (10/10)



A very well known song by HIM. Starts out with a very classical-style piano opening, then unfolds from there. This song is excellent, and possibly one of the best by HIM to date.



Track Seven- This Fortress of Tears (11/10)



I know, I put 11 out of 10. This song.. is beyond words. It starts out slowly, with a lone guitar, then unfolds into a beautiful bass/guitar melody. Then quiets down, while Ville sings with barely any accompaniment. It's a very slow, sad song by HIM, and is without a doubt their greatest song to date. It has an unbelievable guitar solo about halfway through, then follows right up with the most beautiful vocal solo you can imagine. If you're emotional about music, you will honestly cry after hearing this song. If you have no reason to get Love Metal, at least get it for just this song. It's worth the money.



Track Eight- Circle of Fear (10/10)



A great follow-up to This Fortress of Tears. It's sad, yet heavy, and the vocals are deep and emotional as any other song. It's one of HIM's best songs to date.



Track Nine- Endless Dark (6/10)



Honestly, I feel this would fit better with Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights. After hearing the two songs before this, it's quite dissapointing. Nevertheless, it's still a good song.



Track 10- The Path (10/10)



Arguably one of HIM's greatest songs. It has every element HIM can incorporate. It has gloomy lyrics, yet heavy guitars. Great keyboards, and an unbelievable guitar solo at the end. No song could finish the album off better than this. When the last guitar riff is hit.. you just get this feeling in the pit of your stomach, of pure joy. You MUST get this album, whether you like HIM or not. It's purely amazing."