Song #6: H.I.M. - "Heartkiller"

Ohh, His Infernal Majesty. You used to be so tough and edgy and cool and all the goth kids would praise your every move. The tunes were rockin' and we'd all sing along about heartache, vampires, death, destruction, whatever was on your faux-Robert-Smith mind. So what happened?

Fucksticks like Bam Margera happened.

Ever since he got the Heartagram tattoo, Jackass followers got caught in the craze and for awhile there, it was really cool to like the band - hell, in year nine you weren't cool if you didn't listen to them. This sent Ville Valo and company into a tailspin, resulting in albums that were either patchy (Dark Light) or just plain average (Venus Doom). After a couple of years out of the limelight, it's now time for the band's imminent return. Have they learned anything in their time away? Sadly, no.

Firstly, Heartkiller? What kind of a fucking name is that?

Beyond that, as well as the laughable Nintendo fight-scene intro, this really is H.I.M. on autopilot. Stadium rock drums, pseudo-epic chorus and wannabe "prince of darkness" lyrics are all chewed up and subsequently spat out as the flavour quickly dies. Ultimately, the only noticable change is that Finland-born Valo sounds a LOT more American these days. And really, when that's the only major thing one can notice, you KNOW something's up.

FINAL RATING (/10): 4.5

This is pretty much fans-only. And considering there can hardly be as many fans as there were back in the day, this is pretty much gonna be a niche market track.

The new album's out in February, and they play Soundwave around the same time. Doubt I'll be seeing them, though.

XX

David