H.I.M.

A self-proclaimed "love metal" band, Finland's H.I.M. (which stands for His Infernal Majesty) is that country's biggest rock export ever, and it's easy to see why. Having shed some of their guitar-heavy edge which worked so well on the band's awesome Greatest Love Songs Vol. 666 release, H.I.M.'s penchant for making music that is equally dark and deliciously melodic is even more pronounced than before, with mainman Ville Valo consistently writing some of the strongest material I have heard in years. Although there are obvious reference points, such as TYPE O NEGATIVE, DEPECHE MODE, MISSION U.K. and SISTERS OF MERCY, Valo's knack for marrying goth metal influences with mindlessly catchy pop melodies has resulted in a virtually unbeatable combination—one whose appeal extends itself to a much wider cross-section of the rock world than is the case with the above-mentioned acts.

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Having already shifted over 400,000 copies in Germany of this album alone (largely due to the immense success of the LP's first single—and #1 hit—"Join Me"),H.I.M. are rapidly preparing for worldwide domination, with their eyes set on the U.K. and the rest of Scandinavia as the next territories to conquer. Whether or not they will ever manage to translate this overseas success into something similar this side of the Atlantic (where the band have not thus far secured a record deal) remains to be seen. For now, however, Razorblade Romance firmly stands as yet another amazingly crafted album from Europe's best-kept secret, and one that should be part of every rock music fan's record collection.