Today’s lockdown Discography Deep Dive was all the the HIM studio albums. 8 albums total.
Going back and listening to them, I just fell in love with the band all over again.
GREATEST LOVESONGS VOL. 666 (1997)
It includes wonderful covers of Wicked Game & Don’t Fear the Reaper, but it’s HIM originals like Your Sweet Six Six Six and When Love and Death Embrace that makes this album a gem
RAZORBLADE ROMANCE (2000)
This album is how I discovered HIM. I was musically and visually struck by the video for Join Me in Death and became an instant fan. I bought everything that was available by them. There’s not one bad song on the album. Stand out tracks: Right Here in My Arms, Razorblade Kiss, and Poison Girl
DEEP SHADOWS AND BRILLIANT HIGHLIGHTS (2001)
It received mixed reviews but I think the critics got it all wrong. It is a solid album with tracks like Salt in Our Wounds, Heartache Every Moment, In Joy & Sorrow, Pretending, Please Don’t Let It Go.
LOVE METAL (2003)
If there ever was an album that would define a band, it would be this album for HIM. 11 tracks of sheer perfection. I can’t even pick a favorite from it. Standouts include: Buried Alive by Love, Beyond Redemption, The Sacrament.
DARK LIGHT (2005)
For me this album was flawless, proving they could do no wrong with their song crafting. The band knows who they are & what sounds they want to create and it shined in tracks like Under the Rose, Killing Loneliess, The Face of GodVEN
VENUS DOOM (2007)
Sonically heavier and lyrically a bit darker than its predecessors, this album showcases the absolute beauty & range of Ville Valo’s baritone voice. Stand out track: Passion’s Killing Floor, Bleed Well, Venus Doom, Love in Cold Blood
SCREAMWORKS: LOVE IN THEORY AND PRACTICE, CHAPTERS 1-13 (2010)
Man, I’ve slept on this album. It’s lighter in sound & lyrics but remains true to who the band is. Stand outs: Heartkiller, In Venere Veritas, Scared to Death, Shatter Me with Hope.
TEARS ON TAPE (2013)
The final studio album from the band. I love that this album features instrumentals and it’s a perfect blend of all their previous albums into one with so many good songs like Tears on Tape, All Lips Go Blue, Into the Night
I can’t say I have a favorite HIM album. I really love them all. My preferred listening order is:
Dark Light
Love Metal
Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights
Venus Doom
Razorblade Romance
Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice Chapters 1-13
Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666
Tears on Tape