Ville Valo on Being Voted the Hottest Dude in Hard Rock and Metal

Posted on by

Ville ValoOn October 21, Revolver posted a reader’s poll right here on our website, RevolverMag.com, asking you to vote for who is the single Hottest Dude in Hard Rock or Metal, inspired by fan requests for more coverage of “Hot Dudes” to complement our annual Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock issue. The response blew our minds: Over 100 musician names were written onto the ballot by the fans (on top of the 16 we had nominated to kick things off), and more than 400,000 votes have been cast. Perhaps most impressive, though, some 150,000 of those votes went to Ville Valo, the frontman of Finnish “love metal” outfit HIM. Valo and his band have been largely radio silent for the last year, except for news that HIM had parted with record label, Sire/Warner, in March, and then, in September, that they were working on the follow-up to their last record, 2010’s Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice. Considering his big win, however, we decided that we had to track Valo down and drag him, at least temporarily, out of his fortress of solitude for a comment. And fortunately for us, the always-charming musician didn’t put up too much resistance.

REVOLVER So you’ve won our Hottest Dude in Hard Rock and Metal readers’ poll by an astounding margin…
VILLE VALO Does this mean I could be the cause for the arctic melting away? [Laughs] Well, you know, we haven’t been touring. So I think in this day of oversaturation, through the internet and all that, we’re able to maintain a bit of the mythical old-school rock-and-roll aspect, because we’re so very far away.

But we’ve had some problems with Gas [Lipstick, HIM’s drummer]. Gas has had some medical problems. He’s got nerve damage, they found out. A condition similar to shin splints, but in his arms, both of his arms. It came to light about three months ago. We haven’t been able to do anything since that.

You never know, us, lonely fellows, you know, touring in the lonely tour buses… It might be that it’s not just music related. Our wrists are fucked. It’s been a tad confusing but it’s not negative all around. We’ve had good sit-downs. We sat down, like, in the wee hours of the morning [a few nights ago] just to discuss what we’re gonna do, and, because it seems that the first time he’s able to really give it a go is in December, we’ve just got to wait.

But basically what happened to Gas’ arm is, I was saying, “I need to be the hottest!” and he said “Sure, I’ll try my best.” And he gave me a call that “I’ve got some nerve damage because of your hotness.” So that’s what happened, I guess.

Part taken from Revolver Magazine….read more on their site!

Seppo Vesterinen says: New HIM album in 2012

Posted on by

Originally from: HIM Italy Forum

The new album is coming, but the release of all the options are still open. The first evening newspaper said.

HIM’s Ville Valo led by the direction, is once again signs of life. Manager Seppo Vesterinen says that the new album is coming next year. New material has already been trained during the summer.

- Well, parts of songs and the song is pretty much the whole. The band now has a couple of months, trained, and continue it until the autumn. Otherwise, the production systems are open.

The band’s musical style has varied slightly from disc to disc. However, true to the guitar rock. Seppo Vesterinen, the new material does not believe in the case of radical changes in musical style. Yhteistyökuviot new with the record companies are still open.

- There are currently no decisively new. communicate with different parties, but no final decision in any direction is not done yet.

The label’s bread will be no obvious alternative.

- Now that the record business has changed in the whole of the old-fashioned record deal does not line up properly at the moment, so figuring out the different options for how to put material out. Alternatives is quite a lot. The traditional record company, the formula may not be exactly what it currently is the only option.

The band’s own Heartagram is a record label, which is maintained through the last three album releases Finland. Seppo Vesterinen that also includes a number of alternatives.

HIM’s current website has been quiet for a long time, due to the fact that they are maintained by the band’s previous record company. As the co-operation is finished, the pages are little by little hole mass. HIM new site release date has not yet been finalized, the Vesterinen.

One of the loudest 2000s Finnish rock band HIM, and Warner Music, owned by US-Sire Records, the record company parted ways in March, when the record deal came to an end. Last year a record two years ago, published in the Scream Works: Love in Theory and Practice Chapters 1-13.

Source: http://ylex.yle.fi/….

Update, also Burton confirms the news:

HIM part ways with Sire/Warner Music

Posted on by

After 6 years and three albums, Finnish rock band HIM and Sire/Warner Music have decided to part ways.

Seymour Stein, founder of Sire Records says: “It was a pleasure working with HIM, and we’re very proud to have been their partners for the last six years. Ville is a rare talent, and my relationship with their manager Seppo dates back to the days when he pioneered rock music in Finland looking after the career of Hanoi Rocks. HIM are particularly important because they are the first and only band from Finland to reach Gold status in America. I, along with the entire Sire/Warner Bros. family, wish them continued success in the future.”

HIM’s discography on Sire includes the 2005 album Dark Light, which reached gold in the US. Follow-up albums Venus Doom (2007) and Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice (2010) charted both in the US and Europe.

“We’re ever so grateful for having had Seymour and Co as the generous hosts on our extended first stay in the New Country. It’s been a Blast Royale but now it’s time to clean up the rubble and start anew”, comments Ville Valo of HIM.

The webstore at heartagram.com continues as usual.

Win a Avelina De Moray canvas signed by HIM!!

Posted on by

Utopia Records & Avelina De Moray are giving away a signed canvas! Avelina De Moray is a gothic / vampire artist who is running a HIM competition. Whilst HIM were in Sydney, she arranged for Ville to sign one of her 36″ by 24″ canvas which is going to be given away to a lucky HIM fan. Click on the banner below to Get more details on the contest! Tell your friends and pass it on. (banner code on website). Good luck!

A conversation with Ville Valo of HIM

Posted on by

From: AltPress.com

After a decade-plus of doom, love and all things 666, Finnish heartagram rockers HIM have put all of their cards on the table with their latest full-length, Screamworks: Love In Theory & Practice, which dropped this week. Documenting the dissolution of a relationship, the album is a look at love through the distinct viewpoint of frontman VILLE VALO. So who better to tell us what went into it?

INTERVIEW: Nattalie Tehrani
PHOTO: Jarmo Katila

How does it feel to have Screamworks finally released?
Right now, I feel like shitting my pants every five minutes because I’m nervous about what people are going to think about the album. I just feel like the stars were aligned on this one, and it’s a good portrayal of where the band are at the moment. I can say I’m very happy with how the album turned out.

This album is very different from Venus Doom. With each album, do you feel as though you change as a person like an actor changes with every role?
I think it’s just natural. You know, when you tour and write an album and you start working on the next, it’s very natural. Usually you’re headed for something different. Organically, something just happens. You grow up and things change and the world changes and you’re just trying to filter it and make it into an album.

Did any books, works of art or films influence this album?
I’ve read a ton of stuff, but then again, I’ve never read an author and been inspired in a way for me to write a song. Even though I did some wild things in my youth, I still have a fairly good memory. I have a good hard drive, even though there might be some defragmentation, but I pull stuff from there when writing. I think the sweetest thing is when it happens naturally; you have something going on within you that you can’t explain in words, so that’s when you pick up a guitar and try to explain yourself emotionally. That’s the sweet part about making music. That’s why we keep making music.

READ MORE AT ALTPRESS.COM—>

Advanced Ticket & Digital Downloads of Screamworks Info

Posted on by

If you’ve purchased an advance ticket to a North American HIM show that includes music, you’re entitled to a digital download of the full Screamworks album for every ticket purchased!

Today, February 5, is the last day of the offer, and packages still available in select markets. To redeem your album, go to: http://www.warnerbrosrecords.com/himtourmusic
You’ll need the special code that came to you in an email from Ticketmaster or your local ticketing company. If you did NOT receive a code, please reach out to your ticketing company so they can resend to you.

Ticketmaster Customer Support: http://www.ticketmaster.com/h/customer_serve.html
Live Nation Customer Support: http://www.livenation.com/help

Rock Eyez Webzine reviews Screamworks

Posted on by

Finnish band HIM has just released their new offering called “Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice”. Just imagine going from small clubs in Finland to platinum artist, known worldwide and with the legions of dedicated fans clamming for new music, this is just a stepping stone to world domination for this group.

With the memorizing vocals of Ville Valo and the aura of greatness, the opening track “In Venere Veritas” jumps right into high gear. Surely to be a fan favorite with the power and excitement shining through and the guitar work by Mikko “Linde” Lindström is vibrant and stunning.

Track two “Scared To Death” has a vibe of THE CURE with the subtle acoustics and keys giving the track a heavenly feel. Loved this song!

You know, living in America there are so many bands but you see this logo on people’s cars and homes and wonder what the insignia means. Many are curious and track down the logo and find it’s associated to the band HIM. They check the band out and are delighted with the innovative direction of the music. HIM is the next step in music, they have pop and a calming feeling to their songs yet are powerful enough to reach the masses.

Read more of the review by clicking here…