I would not necessarily classify the group "His Infernal Majesty", a.k.a. "H.I.M.", as heavy metal, but they certainly qualify as hard rock. Originating in the Scandinavian country of Finland in 1995, "H.I.M." was inspired by the gothic metal band "Dimmu Borgir" from the neighboring country of Sweden. What gives the five-man band "H.I.M." its unique sound are the compelling vocals by the band's front man Ville Valo, as well as the instruments played by its four other members: Migé Amour (bass), Lily Lazer (guitar), Gas Lipstick (drums), and Emerson Burton (keyboards).

The band's album "Dark Light" is not the band's first album, but is the band's official debut album in the U.S. The band's previously-released albums (which were reissued in the U.S. earlier in 2005) include its 1997 debut "Greatest Lovesongs, Vol. 666", the 2000 "Razorblade Romance", the 2001 "Deep Shadows and Brilliant Hightlights" and the 2003 "Love Metal".

"Dark Light" is somewhat different from the band's earlier albums, which has left some long-time fans disappointed; but the album's potential for a broader appeal is certainly noteworthy and I personally regard it to be an excellent album. Criticisms of "Dark Light" due to Ville's apparently changed hairstyle or because someone previously had a heartogram tattooed on themselves (a purely personal choice) as some reviewers have commented say nothing about the actual songs on the album and thus, are completely without merit and useless. My ratings (out of 5 stars) for each of the album's 10 songs follow:

1. "Vampire Heart" (5). Dark undertones punctuate this song's otherwise seemingly cheerful sound that has an interesting mix of guitar, bass, keyboards and vocals that keep it on the edge.

2. "Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly" (5+). A fast melody that relies on fast octave changes, good guitar progressions and dark lyrics make this a very good song.

3. "Under the Rose" (4.5). A soft start is immediately replaced with a fast & loud melody comprised of guitar & keyboards with good lyrics.

4. "Killing Loneliness" (5). Strong bass begins this song with softer lyrics, but a more intense chorus.

5. "Dark Light" (4.5). An interesting mix of softer tones in a slower song that could qualify it as a ballad, but with stronger choruses and with several scale changes that include frequent changes between major & minor chord emphasis.

6. "Behind the Crimson Door" (4). A faster song than the previous, using a mix of softer versus with stronger choruses.

7. "The Face of God" (5). A dark & mysterious beginning leads to percussion, bass & guitars with the keyboards starting the melody before the voice begins.

8. "Drunk on Shadows" (4.5). Another dark & fast song with interesting use of keyboards riding on top of the other instruments.

9. "Play Ahead" (5). A slower, but no less potent song using a good mix of guitar, bass and percussion to underlie the vocals.

10. "In the Nightside of Eden" (5). The longest song on the album at 5:39 minutes, keyboards are featured with bass & percussion at the beginning with the vocals that use occasional octave changes and minor chord progressions.

Overall, I rate the album "Dark Light" by "H.I.M." with 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it. To those who plan to write negative reviews for the album, please write something pertinent about why you dislike the music instead of critiques about Ville's hairstyle or descriptions of your own personal tattoos.

The Good

An intriguing little riff dominates "Vampire Heart" while faded chugga-chugga riffs take command of the background. Valo's vocals are tortured and eerie, but maintain a great degree of melody and fluctuation. A dark, bluesy guitar lick is the main musical focal point of "Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly". How they ever made a sad sediment sound so pleasing is beyond me. Heavy muted riffs, catchy lyrical patterns, and a piercing solo make up "Under the Rose". "Dark Light" relies a lot of Valo's soothing vocal charm. Sometimes it's hard to tell is his balladry is sincere or vengeful.

A driving piano lick leads the charge on "Behind the Crimson Door". Thick guitars and thumping bass take you the rest of the way. Once again, Valo's untamable love affair is the main focus of his lyrics. If her love is going to be the death of you behind the crimson door, maybe you should try the green one. One of the darkest tracks would be "Play Dead". It's a down-tempo song that Valo injects with plenty of hurt emotions.

The Bad

The guitar tones aren't as dark and ominous as I remember them from Razorblade Romance. There are a lot less haunting keyboards too.

The Verdict

I'm ecstatic that H.I.M. are finally getting their shot in the U.S. Their music is unlike anything we have over here, and has been for years. Although, Dark Light is not as `dark' as the last album I've heard from the group, it's still a great representation of these talented (and tortured) Finnish rockers.

THE BAND: Ville Valo (vocals), Mikko Lindstrom (guitars), Mikko "Mige" Paananen (bass), Janne "Burton" Puurtinen (keyboards), Mika "Gas" Karppinen (drums & percussion). H.I.M. - His Infernal Majesty - Origin: Finland.

THE DISC: (2005) 10 songs clocking in at approximately 45 minutes. Included with the disc is a 10-page booklet containing one band photo and song lyrics. Recorded at Paramour Studios, Los Angeles, CA. This is the band's 5th studio album. There is a limited edition disc available (complete with tin case, 24-page booklet and keychain). Label - Sire Records.

COMMENTS: As of 2007-08, I am relatively new to H.I.M. - "Dark Light" was my first purchase. For whatever reason, I knew the name, but not the music. My love of hard rock (AC/DC, Rush, Deep Purple, Van Halen, etc), 80's old school heavy metal (Iron Maiden, Metallica, Sabbath/Ozzy, etc), and newer progressive/symphonic metal bands (Porcupine Tree, Dream Theater, Symphony X) never crossed paths with H.I.M.'s pop/alternative/love metal. I had H.I.M. totally misread - judging the proverbial book by its cover. I looked at H.I.M. (Valo) and saw death metal or Marilyn Manson clone (not to mention a bad version of Tim Curry in the "Rocky Horror Picture Show" coming to mind from the cover of "Razorblade Romance"). Boy... was I ever wrong. So endearing was "Dark Light", I went out and bought all their discs. For me, it was such a wondrous find... and I initially felt that I had missed out on years of good music. As for the album, "Dark Light" is full of crunchy guitars and melodies. Songs are for the most part dark with a gothic tone - dealing with love (and love lost), suffering, loneliness, Heaven and Hell, redemption, sacrifice, scarred souls and aspects of suicide. This isn't a guitar album per say, but Lindstrom's guitar work is as much the highlight of this album as Valo's vocals. "Dark Light" was the band's break through album in the US (reaching #18 on Billboard's Top 200 list in 2005). The album also featured two hits with "Rip Out The Wings Of A Butterfly" (reaching #1 in Finland, and #20 in the US - perhaps the best track on the disc), and "Killing Loneliness". Throughout the album you'll hear some great piano/keyboards and orchestra layers. Other highlights include the (ballad) title track, the love story in "The Face Of God", the melody in "Behind The Crimson Door", and the closer "In The Nightside Of Eden". Not a weak track on the disc. Try this disc - this may be a sentimental favorite for me, but after hearing all his previous albums, I feel "Dark Light" is the band's most slick and polished album. A great introduction to H.I.M. (5 stars).

HIM's 5th studio album (Yes, And Love Said No counts because they DID go into the studio to do the new songs and the remake of It's All Tears (Drown In This Love)[U.K. Version]) is well up to par with the band's previous albums.

According to many reviews I've read the album is their "sell-out" album, what people don't seem to understand is that bands constantly change their style throughout their careers.

Also, you must put into perspective the fact that this is their FIRST release in the U.S. under the name HIM through a major American distribution.

With that out of the way, I will begin the reviewing.

I personally have had the album for longer than it has been out and listening to it atleast once EVERYDAY since September 20th and I have to say even though it is not my FAVORITE release, it is the 2nd as just a release, but my first in the talents and production they've achieved.

For one Ville has gone back and layered his vocals quite extensively, which I think adds a whole new level to the music itself as a whole.

Gas's drumming has improved and has atleast a little more content in this release than in earlier ones.

Mige's bass playing hasn't changed a whole lot, but his backing vocals seem to have improved.

Linde, of course is always good, this man is amazing on guitar and almost eerie with his low toned vocal talents.

And another thing you will notice is that Burton, has a MUCH bigger role in this album than in earlier releases, so much bigger, you will notice quite a bit if you listen to any of their other releases he is on and then listen to Dark Light, the pianos and keyboards are much more prodominate, almost even over Linde's guitars.

I'll go through the album now and give each song a rating with a particular thing you should listen for.

Vampire Heart - 9/10

- Ville's vocal layering and Burton's keyboards.

...Wings Of A Butterfly - 10/10

- Linde's guitars and Ville's vocals

Under The Rose - 9/10

- Linde's guitars, Ville's vocals (Not so much layered but still very good seeing as how upbeat the song is), Burton's keyboards.

Killing Loneliness - 10/10

- Ville's vocals (So much layering to it and depth), Burton's keyboards.

Dark Light - 10/10

- Burton's keyboards, Ville's vocals.

Behind The Crimson Door - 8/10

- Not my favorite song on the album, I don't really see anything special to this song other than Ville's vocals.

The Face Of God - 10/10

- Ville's vocals, Linde's guitars, Burton's keyboards.

Drunk On Shadows - 10/10

- Linde's guitars

Play Dead - 10/10

- Linde's guitars, Ville's vocals (VERY beautiful and mellow, partially sorrowful yet slightly content), Burton's keyboards.

In The Nightside Of Eden - 9/10

- Ville's vocals, Linde's guitars.

(Bonus Tracks)

Venus (In Our Blood)[!!Not On This Special Edition!!] 10/10

- My favorite track on the whole album, the context and the words just move me, and the music is incredible all around!

The Cage - 10/10

- I just really love this song, not much to it but it's really really good in my opinion.

To tell you the truth Deep Shadows & Brilliant Highlights was my favorite HIM album, but this one has more depth to it I think than any of the other albums.

I bought a copy of each version, the Internet Only Tin Box Edition, the Special Edition Hardbound Book Hot Topic Version, and the Black Shrinkwrap Store Edition...Totally worth it to have all the neat goodies.

So go out and buy it, support the greatest rock band to ever come out of Finland!

Tyler Louthan

Team Leader

Oklahoma HIM Street-Team

(...)

This 2005 HIM release 'Dark Light' is much better than anything HIM has put out since 'Razorblade Romance'. The album is very brilliant, creative, and well put together. It really goes back to that 1996-2000 HIM era...not so much the Deep Shadows, and Love Metal sound.

Here are my ratings on each individual track.

(1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest)

1. Vampire Heart

The intro is a very "twilight-zone-like" guitar then goes into the first verse which is very catchy and will have you humming it to yourself or singing it in the shower for the next few days. One of the most outstanding tracks on the album. Smart and catchy.

8.5

2. Rip Out The Wings of a Butterfly

This is the first single off the album to be released. Another highlight on the album. Pretty simple and catchy. It's my current ringtone on my cell.

8.0

3. Under The Rose

This is the only song that kinda gives off that 2003-Love Metalish sound on the album. Something about this song is weird, I don't know what it is...but that's just me. Not my favorite track, but it's alright.

6.0

4. Killing Loneliness

This track is amazing. It's probably one of the best HIM songs of all time. Well thought-out with beautiful structure.

9.5

5. Dark Light

My favorite.

10.0

6. Behind The Crimson Door

This song is not a bad song but it gives off the same tone as 'Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly' and 'Vampire Heart' making it not stand out as much. Not too original on this track. It's okay though.

6.0

7. The Face of God

The song starts off with like a gothic soundscape...like a creepy ambience. The song is your typical gothrock masterpiece. It spits Razorblade Romance all over it.

7.0

8. Drunk on Shadows

I found the song title to be very cheesey, and cliche...but it turns out this song is amazing. Very powerful and well constructed. One of the better HIM songs I have heard in the past few years...

9.0

9. Play Dead

Comes in with a very atmospheric keyboard pad then a downtempo guitar riff. The song is very moody and dark. It's defitnally an amazing song.

9.5

10. In the Nightside of Eden

This is probably the "darkest" track on the album, with a "dark" set of lyrics. Very goth. Oh so Goth. Sounds very much like The 69 Eyes in a few fragments.

7.9