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HIM: His Infernal Majesty
Led by their charismatic and photogenic vocalist Ville Valo, H.I.M. is set to be the hottest alternative rock act of the decade. Fusing gothic, heavy metal, and power pop, the band has established a new musical genre, which it describes as “love metal,” that transcends existing genres and gives it the crossover appeal that has generated album sales in excess of 3 million. In H.I.M: His Infernal Majesty, Barry Keating recounts the story of the band’s rise from a Helsinki covers group playing everything from Chris Isaak to Blue Oyster Cult to a global rock phenomenon. Through interviews and anecdotes, Keating explores the band’s unique ethos and influences, and the genesis of the love metal sound, as well as the band's quest to bring goth music to the masses. Featuring a wealth of eye-catching images, the book details the breathtaking way in which H.I.M.'s singular approach to music has brought it to the cusp of global stardom.
128 pages, Paperback
First published July 7, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 12, 2021
Beautiful photography.
The book seamed more of a long Wikipedia page with no hooks or particularly intriguing facts to read further on.
Its one of those books, you buy on a shopping mall shelf for mass market. But you have all the facts about the band I suppose. But I can guarantee fans of the band would want to read and know more interesting facts and events of the band.
The book seamed more of a long Wikipedia page with no hooks or particularly intriguing facts to read further on.
Its one of those books, you buy on a shopping mall shelf for mass market. But you have all the facts about the band I suppose. But I can guarantee fans of the band would want to read and know more interesting facts and events of the band.
March 12, 2012
LOL
Ok let's get thing straight, I'm a big fan of the band so...so I -of course- enjoyed this book from the 1st page to the last one.
That was a few years back not it'll be a bit weird for me reading it, but it has nothing to do with the book, more about where I'm now living xD
Ok let's get thing straight, I'm a big fan of the band so...so I -of course- enjoyed this book from the 1st page to the last one.
That was a few years back not it'll be a bit weird for me reading it, but it has nothing to do with the book, more about where I'm now living xD
January 13, 2011
Couldn't tell me anything I didn't already know. I know everything about this band there is to know
October 22, 2011
Very dry writing.
I liked some of the pictures though, and of course the quotes are always fun to read.
I liked some of the pictures though, and of course the quotes are always fun to read.
January 1, 2015
I love this book and I love this band. The writing is quite interesting, especially for those who are fans of the band, and the pictures are great.
June 9, 2009
Good fan book for those who like HIM. Good details, photographs, and interesting interview pieces.
July 8, 2011
read it in 2 days!
July 21, 2013
Great pics, reads like a dry metal mag, but I love the band.
September 16, 2025
Title: HIM: His Infernal Majesty
Author: Reinhardt Haydn
Publisher: Plexus Publishing
Format: Paperback
Pages: 128
Language: English
Isbn: 0-85965-392-7
Published: 2007
First Published: 2006
Read and review: 2025
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4)
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HIM: His Infernal Majesty by Reinhardt Haydn tells the story of the beloved Finnish band HIM.
The book’s style reminded me a lot of a high school textbook, and while reading it, I felt as if I were studying a textbook about HIM - of course, much more interesting than schoolbooks.
The book begins by telling about the childhood of Ville Valo, Mikko Paananen (Mige), and Mikko Lindström (Linde). It describes how they first met in primary and lower secondary schools, and how music brought them together. The book also describes their individual upbringing and inspirations and what shaped them in the style they would later be known for.
During their childhood, they played in several different line-ups, not always together, and they did not immediately form a band of their own.
1991 the first version of HIM was formed, drawing inspiration from figures such as H. P. Lovecraft and Anton LaVey.
1992 - First Demo
1995 - First live debut
1996 - The band’s first EP was released. The band had gained two important figures of support: manager Seppo Vesterinen and producer/mixing engineer Hiili Hiilesmaa.
1997 - First Album Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 was released. It was a success. After that, there was some movement within the band. Jussi-Mikko “Juska” Salminen took over on keyboards (Later, Janne Puurtinen would become their long-time keyboardist, known as “Emerson Burton”), and Mika “Kaasu” Karppinen (Gas Lipstick) became the drummer.
1999 - The second album. Razorblade Romance. Number one on the charts in Germany and Finland. The second album included their biggest hit and the song they are most known for “Join me (in Death)”.
HIM had become a huge success. They toured extensively, and many of their concerts were sold out.
They released their third, fourth, and fifth albums at two-year intervals. The book was written in 2006. After that they released their sixth, seventh and eight albums before the end.
The book is also filled with many great pictures. Showcasing the photoshoot style of the early 2000’s. The book goes deeper on each “album-cycle” - describing what went on during the recording phase as with life in general. The book also discusses topics such as how they met Bam Margera and going on the American Markets.
Author: Reinhardt Haydn
Publisher: Plexus Publishing
Format: Paperback
Pages: 128
Language: English
Isbn: 0-85965-392-7
Published: 2007
First Published: 2006
Read and review: 2025
Stars: ⭐⭐⭐⭐(4)
-
HIM: His Infernal Majesty by Reinhardt Haydn tells the story of the beloved Finnish band HIM.
The book’s style reminded me a lot of a high school textbook, and while reading it, I felt as if I were studying a textbook about HIM - of course, much more interesting than schoolbooks.
The book begins by telling about the childhood of Ville Valo, Mikko Paananen (Mige), and Mikko Lindström (Linde). It describes how they first met in primary and lower secondary schools, and how music brought them together. The book also describes their individual upbringing and inspirations and what shaped them in the style they would later be known for.
During their childhood, they played in several different line-ups, not always together, and they did not immediately form a band of their own.
1991 the first version of HIM was formed, drawing inspiration from figures such as H. P. Lovecraft and Anton LaVey.
1992 - First Demo
1995 - First live debut
1996 - The band’s first EP was released. The band had gained two important figures of support: manager Seppo Vesterinen and producer/mixing engineer Hiili Hiilesmaa.
1997 - First Album Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 was released. It was a success. After that, there was some movement within the band. Jussi-Mikko “Juska” Salminen took over on keyboards (Later, Janne Puurtinen would become their long-time keyboardist, known as “Emerson Burton”), and Mika “Kaasu” Karppinen (Gas Lipstick) became the drummer.
1999 - The second album. Razorblade Romance. Number one on the charts in Germany and Finland. The second album included their biggest hit and the song they are most known for “Join me (in Death)”.
HIM had become a huge success. They toured extensively, and many of their concerts were sold out.
They released their third, fourth, and fifth albums at two-year intervals. The book was written in 2006. After that they released their sixth, seventh and eight albums before the end.
The book is also filled with many great pictures. Showcasing the photoshoot style of the early 2000’s. The book goes deeper on each “album-cycle” - describing what went on during the recording phase as with life in general. The book also discusses topics such as how they met Bam Margera and going on the American Markets.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2017
My Aunt got this at the flea market last Saturday for me. I wasn't sure if was worth 2 bucks even though wanted it. So she got for me lol.
I didn't know HIM was from Finnish for one thought was from the US. They didn't even hit the US until 2004. 2005 was a US tour for first time too.
They do not think of themselves as Gothic. They are Love Metal a genre that they started.
Ville got some of his song titles and Ideas from HP Lovecraft book titles.
The band consists of friends that grew up together. Two members have have changed over the years but the others are same.
They all started young in the music.
It was nice to read and learn about a band that I just got into. I'm usually not into Bio's, but this did seem interesting. My favorite song by them Scared to Death wasn't in this book since it was put out later than the book came out.
I didn't know HIM was from Finnish for one thought was from the US. They didn't even hit the US until 2004. 2005 was a US tour for first time too.
They do not think of themselves as Gothic. They are Love Metal a genre that they started.
Ville got some of his song titles and Ideas from HP Lovecraft book titles.
The band consists of friends that grew up together. Two members have have changed over the years but the others are same.
They all started young in the music.
It was nice to read and learn about a band that I just got into. I'm usually not into Bio's, but this did seem interesting. My favorite song by them Scared to Death wasn't in this book since it was put out later than the book came out.
January 18, 2025
There are an embarrassing number of typos in this book, but I can't complain when it's about my favorite band.
January 2, 2024
there were a couple entertaining quotes but overall read more like a long wikipedia page
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December 3, 2010Perfect .-.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews