HIM - Biography

This Finnish rock band was formed in 1991 by Ville Hermanni Valo (born 22 November 1976, Vallila, Helsinki, Finland; vocals), Lily Lazer (b. Mikko Viljami Lindström, 12 August 1976, Helsinki, Finland; guitar) and Migé Amour (b. Mikko Henrik Julius Paananen, Finland; bass).

Known at the start of their career as His Infernal Majesty, the band's initial ensemble was in a constant state of flux. The line-up assumed a more formal shape in 1995 with the addition of drummer Juhana Tuomas Rantala. Their sound also began to progress from crude covers to a more sophisticated goth metal format, with the photogenic Valo (also the main songwriter) increasingly the focal point.

After signing a recording contract with BMG, the band made their major label debut in 1996 with the 666 Ways To Love - Prologue EP, which included their memorable cover version of the Chris Isaak hit "Wicked Game".

Keyboard player Antto Einari Melasniemi was then recruited to help record the album Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666, the first release under the shortened HIM moniker and the breakthrough for the band in their homeland. Despite some rather hackneyed lyrics, the record was a terrific slice of doom-laden goth rock that attracted a sizeable cult audience among Finnish teenagers.

A number of personnel changes followed, with Zoltan Pluto (b. Jussi-Mikko Salminen; keyboards) and Gas Lipstick (b. Mika Kristian Karppininen; drums) replacing Melasniemi and Rantala respectively. The band crossed over to a wider European audience in 2000 with Razorblade Romance, with the track "Join Me In Death" not only breaking sales records on the Finnish singles charts but also topping charts throughout mainland Europe.

Different versions of the album were released for the UK and US markets, with a legal challenge initially resulting in the band going under the HER moniker in the latter territory. They also attracted the patronage of US professional skater Bam Margera, who took every opportunity to promote the band's music on his popular MTV series Viva La Bam.

Lindström, Paananen and Valo took a brief sabbatical in summer 2001 to record an album (The King Of Rock 'N Roll) with their Daniel Lioneye side project, before returning to HIM to complete the same year's Deep Shadows And Brilliant Highlights.

The latter was the first HIM release to feature new keyboard player Emerson Burton (b. Janne Johannes Puurtinen). The band's fourth album, 2003's Love Metal, was an excellent release that attracted plaudits beyond their devotional fanbase.