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Hello my darlings!

Razor Queen(Witch Hunter) | 08/15/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I'm assuming that anyone interested in this purchase, already owns all previous albums (and so you should) and loves their music to death. If not I can't really recommend this set for the curious, start with their first album "Greatest Love Songs Volume 666" and work your way up. To the fan, you're probably thinking: is it worth it really? It's not cheap and lets face it, most of the songs you already own on the previous albums. To help you make up your mind, I'm reviewing each cd, weighing up the pros and cons. Bare in mind this is my personal opinion. He he...



Disc: 1

1. It's All Tears (Drown in This Love)



Identical to the album version on "Greatest Love Songs Volume 666".



2. Heartless [Club-Remix]



A brilliant atmospheric techno version. Very soft compared to the original.



Disc: 2

1.Wicked Game

2.For You

3.Our Diabolikal Rapture



Identical to the album versions on "Greatest Love Songs Volume 666".



4.Wicked Game [666-Remix]



Slightly heavier version. Nothing special.



Disc: 3



1.When Love and Death Embrace [Radio-Edit]

2.When Love and Death Embrace [AOR-Radio Mix]

3.When Love and Death Embrace [Original Single-Edit]

4.When Love and Death Embrace [Album Version]



All the above are almost identical. I couldn't really tell them apart. The only real difference is the length.



Disc: 4



1.Join Me



This is the original Join Me, not the Join Me In Death (Razorblade Mix) found on the "Razorblade Romance" album. Its slightly different and I mean slight!



2.It's All Tears [Unplugged Version][Live]



Funny live version, purely because Ville manages to do both voices, the deep: "I'm waiting for you to drown in my love", and the high: "So open your arms". By the time its over the poor guy is exhausted. The music's very different. Not the least bit heavy.



3.Rebel Yell [Live]



Brilliant Billy Idol Cover. You wont find this anywhere else



4.Dark Sekret Love



Another song exclusive to this Box set. It's beautiful, dark and very much in the style of their first album. There are some annoying female vocals but they only appear a tiny bit.



Disc: 5



1.Right Here in My Arms [Radio Edit]

2.Join Me in Death [Razorblade Mix]

3.Heartless [Space Jazz Dubmen Mix]



Sigh... Track 1 is the same, just a little shorter, Track 2 can be found on "Razorblade Romance" and Track 3 is actually the same remix from Disc 1, just under a different name.



4.I've Crossed Oceans of Wine for You



Exclusive to the Box set. Pleasant little ditty, but nothing special. But maybe that's just me.



Disc: 6



1.Poison Girl



Same as on Deep Shadows Brilliant Highlights



2.Right Here in My Arms [Live]

3.It's All Tears [Live]

4.Poison Girl [Live][*]



Three brilliant live Tracks. Ville's on top form and you can sing along with the crowd, lots of screaming, naturally.



Disc: 7



1.Gone With the Sin [Radio Edit]



Shorter version of the original



2.Gone With the Sin [O.D. Version] - Otto Donner



String version might better describe this. A beautiful remake with violas, violins and cellos.



3.For You [Acoustic Version][Live]



Absolutely gorgeous acoustic version that maximises Ville's lovely vocals.



4.Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart [Live]



Decent Live version.



5.Gone With the Sin [Album Version]



I'm not going to state the obvious here.



Disc: 8



1.Pretending

2.Pretending [Alternate Mix]

3.Pretending [the Cosmic Pope Jam Version]



To be honest, these 3 tracks are all rather disappointing.



4.Please Don't Let It Go [Acoustic Version][*]



Another dreamy acoustic. Lets face it, all are great.



5.Loose You Tonight [Caravan Version] [*]



Cant remember, I'm thinking mediocre.



Disc: 9



One of the best discs in this set.



1.In Joy and Sorrow [Radio Edit]



Shorter version.



2.Again



Exclusive to this album. Quite a good track!



3.In Joy and Sorrow [String Version]



Absolutely phenomenal! Gorgeous strings and a haunting Gregorian style coir.



4.Salt in Our Wounds [Thulsa Doom Version]



Fantastic version that breaths a new life into the song. It is completely re-sung and has a techno feel, its mind blowing, all 7 minutes of it. Miles better then the original. Brilliant electric guitar ending,



5.Beautiful [Third Seal]



Starts off as a fast paced, rockier version before melting down into a gentle end. Rather similar to the Heartless remix on disc 1. I love it.



Disc: 10



1.Heartache Every Moment

2.Close to the Flame



The original album versions.



3. Salt in Our Wounds [Acoustic Version][*]

4. In Joy and Sorrow [Acoustic Version][*]

5. Pretending [Acoustic Version][*]

6. Hearache Every Moment [Acoutic Version] [*]

7. Close to the Flame [Acoustic Version][*]



5 great acoustic versions to finish the box set off with.



Phew! I'm done!



I hope I was of some help. As you can see, I was quite disappointed with some of the efforts in this box set, but overall the good generally out ways the bad.

But what am I saying! If you're a big fan like me you probably own it already.

The sleeves for each cd are quite pretty(its Ville for christ sakes) but the box is flimsy cardboard that's already starting to break.

Don't forget. HIM's new album, Dark Light is being released at the end of September!

Bye!

"

Some of the most beautiful music I've heard, save Beethoven.

A. Vaccaro | Pennsylvania | 08/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In all honesty, I'm not, by any means, considered a "Goth." I have none of the "traits" or "characteristics" of the Goth "culture."



I DO, however, LOVE Goth music. The melodies. The harmonies. The sheer, natural beauty of the sound. Cruxshadows. HIM. Bella Morte. Some are harsher than others, but just about all Goth music is welcome to me.



H.I.M. captured my ears while I was hanging out at a friend's house and he played me the cover "Wicked Game." I was immediately entranced by and bought Razorblade Romance and Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights right away. That was roughly six months ago and I still listen to them constantly, amidst my other favorite genres of music.



Bottom line is, if you consider yourself a lover of HIM, no matter your choice of culture or background etc., and if you have the money to spend, you should purchase this Collection, as I will within the next 2 minutes. No matter what others' reviews on the matter, do what you think you'll enjoy. Especially follow through with what you KNOW you will enjoy for many months, if not years, to come.



Oh, and I did NOT know that Bam Margera's favorite band was HIM until a few months after I purchased the albums. I was quite shocked, actually, because I love the show and have never noticed Ville Valo make any cameos. So my rating is not biased towards the show, or anyone else's opinion. HIM is just enchanting music. End of story.



*buys the collection*"

Outstanding line-up!

oderiferous imenatius | s.a texas | 03/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"H.I.M truly are a one of a kind band with frontman ville valo and his focusing on the more affectionate side of things and not being afraid to express his emotions through the form of goth rock, or as H.I.M says "love Metal", shows alot, H.I.M.s songs or more poetic talking about love, hate, life, death, joy, sorrow and so forth, all well binded with melodic sounds and catchy riffs this is a band that has borought a new phase of metal, a new breed, i extremly suggest this band to anyone into goth or post-gothic musik, him is definately a must have!"