HIM Dark Light. Release Date : October 26, 2005. Label: Warner. Rating: Andy doesn't dig rating stuff. This is such an interesting band. They've been writing albums very solidly in the same vein for their entire history. Subtle changes, mostly concurrent with the year each album was made, are certainly there, but for the most part it's the same charge-forward, synth-imbibed, rollicking guitar rock with this old-school-hairband-meets-goth overtone. Throw in a few heart-wrenching power ballads and you've got them all strung up. HIM - massively popular across Germany and the like for years, they're finally making it into North America. Staying away for so long may have done wonders for their popularity, as rabid North American fans are giving them a Bealtes-esque reception everywhere they go it seems. Anyhow, the new album... much the same formula. One thing that does steadily improve is the control frontman Ville Valo has over his voice. What was once a low, grumbling thunder that would fly haphazardly to a high strain like a hippo on a trampoline, has grown into a well-oiled slide. While he unfortunately doesn't showcase quite the same range he once did, the range he does use flows so much easier. There's this ever-present synth strain in the background that's incredibly 80's style. Okay sure the powerful guitar rock with the sappy lyrics is kind of corny, but it's still just so good. I mean, you can ROCK OUT to this! Without the terror of having to listen to a Nickelback song to do it! Valo has acquired this husky croon that might land him in the future alongside anyone from Chris Isaak (yes they did cover "Wicked Game" long ago) to Tom Jones. Only with Skid Row guitars. Hah. He does let loose with some amazing wails on this one, particularly in "Dark Light." The shrieks are followed by a deadly-sounding speak-mumble. Valo's talking voice is still incredibly low, and regal sounding from his Finnish accent. The lyrics are all threaded with words like "black" "red" "death" "love" "vampire" etc etc. It's a really bizarre amalgamation of styles. I like to think they've created something pretty unique though with it. Maybe that's why I like it so much. With some of these 'I'd do anything for a moment' type romantic words, it's no wonder ladies aim to drape themselves all over the band. Anyhow, interesting band, hopefully they'll be back in North America a bit more often from now on. Song of choice : I like "Play Dead" for the high lilt. -Andy Scheffler Elsewhere HIM website Published : February, 2006.