Artist:  H.I.M.
Title:  Venus Doom
Release Date: September 18, 2007
Label: Sire / London/Rhino
CD Review written by:  Brandye Montarro

VENUS DOOM is the latest release from the Finnish band HIM, led by vocalist Ville Valo
and was produced by Tim Palmer. It is the follow up to their last effort,2005's 'Dark Light'
that had many of his followers ensued in a "gothic stance" as they eagerly waited for them
to share what they have recorded with the rest of the world. Formed in1991,by Valo along with guitarist Mikko Lindstrom and bassist Mikko Paananen,it is said that in 2008, they are
the first as well as only band from their country to ever receive gold status in the United States. 

Lyrically,this has somewhat of a darker edge to it as heard on the fourth track "The Kiss Of Dawn."The verse "let me look into your eyes and have death pass us by" is a memorable line for a song that was inspired by the death of one of Ville Valo's close friends and is an intriguing piece of work that many can relate to on a personal level.Guitarist Mikko Lindstrom's playing on this is reminiscent to that of Black Label Society's Zakk Wylde,style wise, in a few  areas with, guitar licks that Wylde himself would be flattered about.

The beautifully written and sung "Song or Suicide," is a short acoustic piece played "poetically with a haunting arrangement." While hearing Valo sing the verse "I heal my wounds with grief/dream of you and weep myself alive ," you can hear the emotion in his voice that has so many captivated by it. One of his distinct trademarks, beside his
seductive eyes, is that he  leaves many of his female followers breathless and most males wishing that they could serenade their undying devotion to the one who has stolen their heart.

The title track,'Venus Doom,' has a slight resemblance to that of Crash Diet's song "Alone" off of their 'The Unattractive Revolution' CD released last year without vocalist Dave Lepard who passed away, unexpectedly, in early 2006. A  few of the other songs: "Bleed Well," "Cyanide Sun" and "Passion's Killing Floor" are all astounding, but they lack the intensity
that HIM has shown with their songwriting skills as well as the  music arrangements for each of the band's releases, prior to VD.HIM is still "your sweet six six six" but with six full length recordings under their belt, I believe that they have much more to offer their fans with what Venus would call the lack of doom.