HIM: LOVE METAL

SCORE: 100/100

'Love Metal' feels like HIM's return to form after the more pop-influenced nature of their previous project. The songs are heavier with the bands' signature catchiness in full swing, and the sound of this album feels more orientated to fans rather than seeking a mainstream appeal like the band did on their previous work.

The album has less restraint than their previous - their harder edge coming through alongside tender sweet tracks that feel like the bands' roots seeping back into the compositions of this album. The instrumentation and compositions throughout 'Love Metal' are worth spending the time to marvel at, and it's another clear triumph for the Finnish band. 

Tensions were less high with this album, the ideas coming naturally after a point in time that nearly broke the band up. Touring so extensively for their previous album had taken its toll on the band, leading to conflicts amongst them that were soon resolved as 'Love Metal' came to be. The album has a lot more richness to it, feeling more decadent and satisfying than their previous work. The romantic embrace of Ville's songwriting is in full swing here, and the album earns its title; rightfully so.

Going on a break helped the band to come back together refreshed and ready to make new material - less pressure was put on them to make something that would capture the same spark as 'Razorblade Romance' (because really, how can you?), and it led to what feels like a more fluid and genuine album. The sound of this album feels much more unique to the band than their previous, with a sound that is oftentimes similar to their first two albums while mixing in elements from their third - 'Love Metal' is a gorgeous showcase of everything the band had worked towards achieving at this point in their run together. 

It's an extensive showcase of all sides of the HIM spectrum, and fans of the band won't be disappointed by this body of work. It feels like one of their most comprehensive showcases of sound yet, and it's a consistent work through and through, despite how many changes in sound it may seem to have - they all help to keep the album feeling fresh and lively rather than stiff or bland.

'Love Metal' feels more true to the band than their previous album, despite their previous work being incredible, this project feels like a return to form for the band. A rougher edge is mixed with bittersweet lyrics and tender soft melodies, stirring up the delicate palate of the bands' sound and packing in some of their most enjoyable material into one of their longest albums; an album that deserves its near-hour-long runtime in every sense of the world.

The songwriting and overall artistic ability shown on this album are both wonderfully striking - it's an album that doesn't need to introduce itself to you first, one that you can familiarize with in what seems like an instant. It's a glistening display of everything that made HIM so great, and it's an absolute essential piece in their discography. 


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