HIM in full feather
HIM, the number one export of the Finnish music industry, is often criticised for such reasons as shallowness and centering on mere appearance. At the main stage of Ilosaarirock, however, the group showed that their global star status is well deserved.Ville Valo and the group offered the large crowd a brilliant and sincere show which didn’t, despite playing well known hits non-stop, seem like routine. Long time fans as well as random listeners undoubtedly found their own highlights during the gig.
Snatched directly from the Metallica tour, HIM can be seen as the biggest catch of Ilosaarirock: indeed, the band’s performances in their home country are nowadays rare. Then again, it is probably refreshing for the band as well to get to play a proper headline show instead of opening for the metal giant of California. The quintet emphasised modern hits like Wings of a Butterfly and Vampire Heart, but treated the all the long-time listeners with choices like Your Sweet Six Six Six and the Chris Isaak cover Wicked Game.
Kaasu Karppinen played his drums in relaxed but dedicated manner, and next to the guitarist Mikko Lindström and his majestetic dreadlocks bustled Ville Valo as primus motor. Valo’s voice was in great condition, and a praiseworthy number of manly yawps additional to the recorded versions were heard during the gig. Topped with excellent sounds, the band performed a world-class show and proved that it truly deserves its high status. The show ended with massive fireworks, which underlined the band’s uniqueness and appeal.
Text: Antti Kavonen
Translation: Hanna Laaksonen
Photo: Markus Korpi-Hallila