H.I.M. Venus Doom

[CommissarGaunt]

OK. I will preface this review with a disclaimer that I have been a H.I.M. fan for a long time. So I tend to be a bit biased, but I listen to soo much music that I think I can separate my love of the gothic metal rocker with some objectivity. I love goth metal and these finns are probably the best out there in this genre. They got alot of exposure after Bam Margera had them on Viva La Bam a bunch and talked about their music so much. In fact he even had one of their songs played at his wedding. They haven't gotten alot of US exposure in years past, but they are steadily gaining fans. Most of you will have seen the "heartagram" tattoo or symbol around. (pic included below)

Here is the official webpage with some clips.

http://www.heartagram.com/

H.I.M. used to stand for "His Infernal Majesty", but they did away with that many years ago. They did not however get away from the gothic glam metal rock they are known for. In Venus Doom they are quite a bit "heavier" than almost any other cd they have released. They stick with the great hard guitar licks deep dark vocals and "vampiric feel" of the previous albums. They stay with the darker minor chords for the start of songs and verses, but then open up to more melodic major chords for the choruses in standard HIM fashion. Some people will be put off by the vocals but with Villi you either love it or hate it. I am in the first camp. The album does feel more "raw" than previous albums. The guitars are front and center on almost every track . Charging out some awesome and memorable rifts. You will remember the rifts more than the choruses because they flat ot rock. The feel of the album is pretty energetic compared to previous records. Less slow ballads more metal rock.

It is a 2 disc cd with only 9 songs on the main cd and 2 "remixes" on the 2nd cd. I was definitely disappointed there were not more songs, but quality not quantity. One song is acoustic and only about 1:30 long. So if I have a complaint it is the cd length and the $22.000 price tag. Casual fans or choosy listeners should opt for the download method rather than buy the full cd like I did. Fans will love the cool packaging and propbaly unreleasable 2nd cd.


I liked the cd alot I think fans of HIM will be totally happy with this album as will fans of heavy rock, goth, and metal. The melodic choruses will make this a much more radio and mainstream friendly album than past releases, but I actually think since the album feels so much heavier that everyone should be happy with it. It is a definite "buy" in my book.

[Phaeton]

I'm a big HIM fan as well, but i felt this album brought to the forefront more of that dreaded *gasp!* mainstreamification that music purists loathe. They focus more on the catchy rock n' roll riff aspect of their musical style, while i am more taken with some of their more multilayered ealier works. The exclusion of prominent keyboard segments was also a miss for me, again because i feel that elegant overarching keyboard elements provided an excellent backdrop and contrast with Ville Valo's vocals. I still really like a few tracks, such as Sleepwalking Past Hope in particular, but overall i felt they 'dumbed down' some of that delectable complexity that they had achieved in earlier albums. Hm, dumb down isn't really the right term to use, but overall it feels like a simplification of thier style to something that is easier to digest by the mainstream.

Nonetheless, as you say, it's still a solid effort from HIM and still retains much of their old feel. Plus it has amazing album art
I'd recommend it as well, since it still carries a lot of what makes this band good, but I prolly wouldn't recommend it as their best work.

[-{=WARBLADE=}-]

well ive never listened to this band at all. but may give it a try

[Phaeton]

It's not terribly similar to a thrash metal band, i may add ;p

[-{=WARBLADE=}-]

I listen to a wide array of music. the only music i "wont" listen to is rap/R&B bull shit. and although i will listen to it i can do without the majority of country music as well.

[CommissarGaunt]

These guys have been on eof my fas for years. The remake of Don't Fear the Reaper and Wicked Game are amazing. I love the dark "gothic" sound they have. Ohhh and the remake of the old song "Summer Wine " was cool too.