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HIM is a rock band from Finland. They became famous in Europe with the single Join Me in Death, also known simply as "Join Me", which reached the top of the German charts around 2000. They did not develop a wide American following until 2004, which resulted from the band's association with Bam Margera as well as the band's first American tour in April of that year. HIM's frontman is Ville Valo, considered to be a charismatic and energetic performer.
Controversy over name
Rumors have suggested that the letters "HIM" stand for "His Infernal Majesty", but this was only the name when they started off as a band and problems with black metal bands and difference in genre went by. Then they changed it to simply HIM. In the video collection interrogation footage, Ville says that when they started they were really into groups like Black Sabbath. Just as Black Sabbath got their name from a horror movie, so did they. But the rumors have been denied by HIM themselves on their website Heartagram.com (http://www.heartagram.com) and in many interviews:
- In almost every interview someone asks what does HIM stand for. I can't even remember our latest lie about that. When Hanson was hot, we said it means Hanson Is Murder. The name doesn't have a particular history. His Infernal Majesty was a totally different band. I think HIM derives from some death metal joke. And it was our protest to Haile Selassie's rastafarian religion, he used to be called His Imperial Majesty. But nowadays because of Linde's hair, we actually might be supporting him.
Style
HIM is credited with the invention of a novel musical style known as love metal (also the title of their 2003 album) which combines lyrical themes of romantic love with a heavy metal musical style.
Members
The original members of the band were:
- Ville Valo, (Rakohammas), vocals, since 1995
- Lilly Lazer, guitar, since 1995
- Mige Amour, bass, since 1995
- Antto Melasniemi, keyboard, 1995 - 1998
- Juhana Rantala, drums, 1995 - 1999
Other members that joined afterwards are:
The current members are: Ville Valo, Emmerson Burton, Gas Lipstick, Lilly Lazer and Mige Amour. Guitarist Lilly Lazer also has a side project band, Daniel Lioneye with Amour and Valo.
Discography
Similar/related Bands
External links
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