Him
Album Title: Venus Doom
Record Label: Sire/London/Rhino
Review by Kimberly E. McDaniel
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Him - Venus Doom
Fans of the Finnish band H.I.M. (His Infernal Majesty), might not know what to make of their newest release, “Venus Doom.” Anyone expecting a rehash of their hit “Join Me (In Death)” will be scratching their heads over this heavily guitar-oriented offering. The keyboards are still there, but buried underneath pounds of crunchy guitars and vocalist Ville Valo’s deepest vocals ever. H.I.M. has always claimed influences like Black Sabbath, but this is by far the heaviest album the band has put out. “The Kiss of Dawn” features vocals that are so deep that you feel them in your chest cavity. As Valo growls his way through the verses and guitarist Mikko Lindstrom wails heavy riffs, they create a surprisingly heavy experience. “Passions Killing Floor” was featured in the film “The Transformers” and most fans heard it before the album was released. Other song titles include “Dead Lover’s Lane,” “Love In Cold Blood” and “Sleepwalking Past Death.” Hey, I never said they were happy songs! H.I.M. proves with this release that they are clearly not an “emo” band anymore, if they ever were. On “Venus Doom” the average headbanger should find something to like. Give it a try, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.