Over the weekend, it was reported that Finnish gothic/love/alternative metal icons H.I.M will be breaking up. It has been four years since 2013’s Tears on Tape and if you think about, they have been silent for a while. Looking on their Facebook page alone shows the last item they posted was late last year wishing everyone a Happy Holiday. Breaking the two month silence, the band announced their ultimate sacrament; saying goodbye to their 26-year career.
The band took to their Facebook page, promising not to leave without a farewell tour consisting of 35 shows in 14 countries. Currently, they’ve listed 25 dates and have yet to announce dates for North America and Finland, stating their US dates will be highly selective and demanding.
Read the full statement below:
“HIM ANNOUNCE FAREWELL TOUR
LOVE METAL LEGENDS HIT THE ROAD FOR THE LAST TIME THIS YEAR
Following a long radio silence, Finnish rock giants HIM have announced a farewell tour, closing the final chapter on their 26 year career.
“After quarter of a century of Love and Metal intertwined we sincerely feel HIM has run its unnatural course and adieus must be said in order to make way for sights, scents and sounds yet unexplored. We completed the pattern, solved the puzzle and turned the key. Thank you.” Says frontman Ville Valo
Formed in 1991 by vocalist Ville Valo, guitarist Mikko “Linde” Lindström and bassist Mikko “Migé” Paananen, HIM truly stand out as one of the rock world’s most unique acts. Beautifully blending metal, goth and hard rock with deep, thoughtful and moving lyrics, HIM offered the world a new take on the metal genre, which became known as Love Metal (also the title of their fourth album).
Over the course of eight studio albums, HIM captured the hearts and minds of fans across the globe, drawn by their irresistible and inimitable style. Under the banner of their Heartagram logo – a potent symbol encapsulating the juxtaposition of the light and dark, the fierce and forlorn, and the evil and love found in their music – HIM filled venues and crashed charts the world over, collecting numerous awards, gracing countless magazine covers and becoming the first Finnish act to achieve Gold status in the USA.
Now, four years after the release of their last studio album ‘Tears On Tape’, HIM are saying farewell, taking in 14 countries across 35 shows for their final goodbye.
“At the end of 2017 we will be released into the wild.” Says bassist Mige. “Before this event of great transformation we would love to offer you one last chance to experience our live performances in His Majesty’s service. It shall not be a weepfest but a celebration of love metal in all its lovecraftian glory! See you there!”
Ville Valo (voc)
Mige (bass)
Linde (gtr)
Burton (kb)
Kosmo (dr)
Catch HIM for the last time at one of the following shows:
JUNE
WED 14 SPAIN BARCELONA RAZZMATAZZ
THU 15 SPAIN MADRID LA RIVIERA
FRI 16 SPAIN SANTANDER SALA ESCENRIO
SAT 17 PORTUGAL PORTO HARD CLUB
JULY
SAT 01 FINLAND HELSINKI TUSKA FESTIVAL
THU 13 FINLAND TUURI MILJOONAROCK
NOVEMBER
FRI 24 RUSSIA ST PETERSBURG DK LENSOVETA
SAT 25 RUSSIA ST PETERSBURG DK LENSOVETA
SUN 26 RUSSIA MOSCOW CLUB STADIUM LIVE
TUE 28 POLAND WARSAW STODOLA
WED 29 GERMANY HAMBURG DOCKS
DECEMBER
FRI 01 GERMANY BERLIN COLUMBIAHALLE
SAT 02 CZECH REP. PRAGUE FORUM KARLIN
MON 04 GERMANY LEIPZIG HAUS AUENSEE
TUE 05 GERMANY MUNCHEN TONHALLE
WED 06 SWITZ. ZURICH X-TRA
THU 07 ITALY MILAN ALCATRAZ
FRI 08 GERMANY KOLN PALLADIUM
SAT 09 LUX. ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE ROCKHAL
MON 11 HOLLAND AMSTERDAM PARADISO
TUE 12 HOLLAND TILBURG 013
THU 14 SCOTLAND GLASGOW BARROWLAND
FRI 15 ENGLAND NOTTINGHAM ROCK CITY
SAT 16 ENGLAND MANCHESTER ACADEMY
SUN 17 ENGLAND LONDON ROUNDHOUSE
Tickets go on general sale 9am Wednesday 8th March.
U.S. and FINNISH DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED”
