HIM - Two Decades Of Love Metal
Finland's love metallers; HIM, are celebrating their 20th anniversary with the release of XX- Two Decades Of Love Metal.
The compilation album kicks off with Strange World which is taken from their last studio album. As distinctive as Ville Valo is on this track, it would have been nice to hear a song that is known and loved by all HIM fans kicking off this celebration.
The pace is quickly picked up by Join Me which is the second track and a fan favourite. Valo's vocal performance cannot be faulted on these tracks, his voice is instantly recognisable and he has a great range. For the most part, the lyrics heard are emotional and very personal, making him a very endearing frontman.
I was an huge fan of the band during the late 90's and early 00's, so hearing songs such as Wicked Game, Funeral Of Hearts and Poison Girl is a bit like talking a walk down memory lane.
Over the years, HIM have gone on to become one of Finland's most successful groups, selling over five million albums worldwide and XX- Two Decades Of Love Metal makes it clear why they have been so successful.
Whether you love them or hate them, there's no denying that these five guys have come a long way over the last 20 years and XX- Two Decades Of Love Metal is a collection of some of their finest work and must have for any HIM fan although knowing how devout their fans are, I'd assume they already own at least 19 of the 20 songs featured on XX- Two Decades Of Love Metal.