HIM
Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice Warner Music/Sire Records Having already become the most successful Finnish band in history is a pretty decent achievement and releasing your seventh studio album is another. For alternative rockers HIM things seem to get better and better with every release, especially for their music. The songs on the new album 'Screamworks' have been given a lighter edge compared to the sound of the last record, the 2007 release 'Venus Doom'. Touches of 80s rock and pop mixed in with metal and some excellent melodies make this album one of their best efforts so far. Opener In Venere Veritas starts the record of with an emotional rock feel that leads into the heavy ballad, Scared To Death, one of the albums catchiest tracks. The first single Heartkiller is similar to the style of 2005's 'Dark Light' and is one of the heaviest songs on the record. Front man Ville Valo's voice is in top form, be it the soft verses of Dying Song, one of the albums highlights, or the growling screams of Like St. Valentine. Another standout is In The Arms Of Rain which changes its pace so many times to include metal, atmospheric soft rock and straight up classic rock amongst other influences, all in three and a half minutes. Production on the album was handled by Matt Squire (The Used, Saosin) and to say that Squire has changed the band's sound is an understatement, to say it is for the better is spot on. The mix, by Neal Avron (Linkin Park, Weezer), gives the songs plenty of room to breathe despite the fact that there is so much going on. There are no dull moments on this record and it can become quite an addictive listen which should ensure that HIM's success shall continue onward and upward.  |
Issue 491
Music
