How a Finnish rock band invented love metal and conquered the global charts
In short: Formed in Helsinki in 1991, HIM defied easy categorization by blending melodic melancholy with heavy rock. Their unique sound, which they dubbed love metal, propelled them to international stardom. With over ten million records sold, the band became a Finnish cultural powerhouse before disbanding on New Year's Eve 2017.
HIM began as a project between childhood friends Ville Valo and Mikko Paananen in Helsinki. Initially named His Infernal Majesty, the group struggled to find its footing, breaking up shortly after its 1992 debut show. By 1995, Valo and guitarist Mikko Lindström reformed the band, eventually settling on the name HIM. Their breakthrough arrived with the 2000 album Razorblade Romance, which topped charts in Finland, Austria, and Germany, driven by the success of the single Join Me in Death.
The band's identity was defined by its heartagram logo and a sound that balanced pop sensibilities with darker, heavier influences. This hybrid style made them difficult for critics to label, prompting the band to coin the term love metal. Despite internal struggles—including health crises, lineup changes, and a 2002 legal dispute over their name in the United States—HIM maintained a consistent output. Their 2005 album Dark Light marked a significant milestone, becoming the first record by a Finnish group to earn a Gold certification in the US.
The band's later years were marked by both resilience and decline. Following a hiatus caused by drummer Gas Lipstick's nerve damage, they returned with 2013's Tears on Tape. However, the group eventually announced its dissolution in 2017. Their final performance took place at the annual Helldone Festival in Helsinki, a tradition they had established to celebrate their home city. Throughout their career, HIM earned eight Emma Awards and cemented their legacy as one of the most commercially successful acts to emerge from Finland.
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