BURBANK CA. (Sire Records/ Warner Bros.) - The Finnish quintet HIM, signed to an exclusive worldwide recording contract with Sire Records last year, is poised to release their Sire Records debut on
September 27. The album, called "Dark Light," was recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Tim Palmer (U2, Ozzy Osbourne). Palmer mixed the album in New York City at the famed Electric Lady studios. The band has also announced a headline US Tour that will begin on October 5 in Portland, OR, running through November 18 in New York City.
HIM, fronted by the charismatic vocalist and songwriter Ville Valo and comprised of guitarist Linde, bassist Mige, drummer Gas and keyboardist Burton, took the Scandinavian music scene by storm in 1996 with the release of their debut EP, "666 Ways To Love." A year later they consolidated their cult status with their first full album, "Greatest Love Songs, Vol. 666," featuring their hit version of the Chris Isaak original, "Wicked Game." Their next two releases, "Razorblade Romance" (2000) and "Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights" (2001), were bestsellers across Europe and prompted an extensive round of touring, establishing them as an international powerhouse. HIM's latest album, 2003's "Love Metal,"is their most successful to date, features such Valo originals as "Soul On Fire," "Sweet Pandemonium" and "Circle Of Fear." A greatest hits package available internationally is the band's last recorded output and has cemented their status as musical heroes abroad.
"Dark Light" features 10 new HIM originals, including the first single and video "Wings Of A Butterfly," "Killing Loneliness," "Dark Light" and "The Face Of God." "Dark Light" will be available in numerous package configurations including the traditional jewel box CD, a special Internet-only version featuring 2 bonus tracks (available to pre-order now online at www.heartagram.com), and a limited edition special package available at music retailers everywhere that features handwritten lyric sheets, special artwork and 1 bonus track plus more.
www.heartagram.com has been a flurry of fan activity lately as HIM devotees have rushed the site to hear podcasts with Ville and other members of the band. HIM was one of the first bands to offer podcasts to their fans, and the result has been nothing less than terrific.
Revolver, "The Worlds Loudest Rock Magazine," will feature HIM on their exclusive November cover. The story has West Coast editor Dan Epstein making the trip to Finland to see these Finnish phenoms on their own turf. The outcome is a terrific behind-the-scenes glimpse of the band. Revolver hits the newsstands on the same day as "Dark Light"storms the music marketplace, and fans should note that a special HIM/Revolver sticker will be stripped into 200,000 copies of the issue. Other press surrounding the album's release is an Alternative Press feature story and a Blender magazine spotlight piece and more.
HIM North American Tour Dates:
Wed 10/5 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
Thu 10/6 Seattle, WA The Premier
Sat 10/8 Mountain View, CA Shoreline Amphitheatre
Sun 10/9 Santa Barbara, CA Univ. of Santa Barbara's HUB
Mon 10/10 San Diego, CA SOMA
Tue 10/11 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
Wed 10/12 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues - Mandalay Bay
Fri 10/14 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern Theatre
Sat 10/15 Los Angeles, CA Wiltern Theatre
Wed 10/19 Denver, CO Ogden Theater
Fri 10/21 Minneapolis, MN Quest Club
Sat 10/22 Chicago, IL Riviera
Sun 10/23 Milwaukee, WI The Eagles Club
Mon 10/24 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
Thu 10/27 Houston, TX Verizon Wireless Theater
Fri 10/28 Ft. Worth, TX Ridglea Theatre
Tue 11/1 Gainesville, FL Abbey Road-Univ. of Florida
Wed 11/2 Atlanta, GA The Masquerade
Thu 11/3 Lake Buena Vista, FL House of Blues
Fri 11/4 Ft. Lauderdale, FL Revolution
Sat 11/5 St. Petersburg, FL Jannus Landing
Mon 11/7 Cincinnati, OH Bogarts
Tue 11/8 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall
Wed 11/9 Pittsburgh, PA Club Zoo
Fri 11/11 Cleveland, OH Agora Theatre
Sat 11/12 Detroit, MI State Theatre
Sun 11/13 Toronto, ON Kool Haus
Mon 11/14 Montreal, QU Metropolis
Thu 11/17 Boston, MA Avalon Ballroom
Fri 11/18 New York, NY Hammerstein Ballroom
Mon 11/21 Norfolk, VA The Norva
Tue 11/22 Washington, DC 9:30 Club
Wed 11/23 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
Thu 11/24 Philadelphia, PA Electric Factory
