Dark Light

H.I.M.

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 3, 2005)
• Original Release Date: September 27, 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sire / London/Rhino
• ASIN: B000ATT2QO
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (148 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #45,501 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > World Music > Europe > Scandinavia > Finland

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Finland’s His Infernal Majesty (H.I.M.) has managed to release a solid, if not wholly overwhelming album. Listening to vocalist Ville Valo work his magic on the title tune, where he bridges the distance between Bono and Bowie, you almost believe you’re listening to one of the great voices, maybe even great bands, of the age. The sharp, hook-laden tunes such as "Killing Loneliness," "Vampire Heart" and "Rip Out The Wings Of A Butterfly" only seem to confirm that initial spark of discovery. However, the brilliance evident at the beginning barely stretches to the halfway mark. "The Face Of God" and "Drunk On Shadows" are little more than hooks around which other things happen rather than the promising, fully realized material found at the album’s start. That said, Dark Light ultimately proves an album worth owning even if it’s just to hear Valo work his unmistakable magic from end to end. --Jedd Beaudoin

Product Description
After conquering the rest of the world with chart-topping albums and sold-out tours, Finland's HIM (His Infernal Majesty) makes its U.S. debut with Dark Light. A Scandinavian rock icon, HIM enjoys more than a mere buzz overseas. It's a frenzy. Haunting, gothic, rocking, beautiful and melodic-produced by Tim Palmer (Robert Plant, U2) with the band recording for the first time in the U.S.-Dark Light opens the eyes of America to HIM.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

82 of 88 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Gothic Vocals Showcase "H.I.M." in "Dark Light", October 23, 2005

By	M. Hart "Sci-Fi Fan" (USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Start your H.I.M. collection with "Dark Light", April 1, 2008

By	R. Gorham "RCG2" - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

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).

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpectedly Great!, November 9, 2005

By	Richard K. Kostoff "karmarich" (columbus, oh) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I will begin this review saying that I am 41 year old male. Enough said. I have always appreciated new music imported from "across the pond". It generally must be good-well written lyrics, catchy melodies, and great guitars. H.I.M. delivers the goods on this record! Who would have thought a Scandinavian troup could have take up the "Popular Scepter" and nearly dominate the scene? I am very satisfied with thier effort!

I had the chance to see them last evening at my local theatre. The crowd was a bunch of "twenty-something" post metal goths who seemed to know and love all the songs. This is the wave of the future it seems to me. I approve whole-heartedly! I felt this generation had no style or character. H.I.M clearly defines this graceful, romantic and dark style! If they keep this up, I can only see it flourish amidst "fluffy-pop trash".

Now, onto Dark Light. This album delivers all of the jewels that I come to expect from this new brand of tortured rock anthems! Comparisons will abound, of course. It is difficult to reinvent the genre. This band takes it and stylishly gives it a distictive Northern accent. There is no metal screamers here. Ville Valo's voice is melodic and filled with pain. In a musical age of violent and forgettable bands releasing unsuccessful music. H.I.M. restores a dark beauty not seen in many years.

The tracks are clean and catchy. "Vampire Heart" is kitschy, yet satisfying. "Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly" is a new goth love anthem that can be a throwback to the Mid 1980s Sisters of Mercy or the Mission U.K. "Behind the Crimsom Door" is my personal favorite. Heavy, dark, yet not burdensome. "Dark Light" the title track is moody and mysterious. Perhaps this record will show the bigger audience out there this band means business, and "dark" doesnt mean "evil". By all means-get a copy, go see them live.