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biography / portrait

After forming in Finland in 1995, H.I.M. (or His Infernal Majesty) set out on the path of goth forebears like Sisters of Mercy and the Mission UK. Vocalist and songwriter Ville Hermanni Valo was the band's founding member, alongside bassist Migé Amour, guitarist Lily Lazer, drummer Mikka Karppinen (aka Gas Lipstick), and keyboardist Zoltan Pluto. The 1996 EP 666 Ways to Love was the group's first recording, and it did quite well in Scandinavia. One year later, Greatest Love Songs, Vol. 666 solidified their cult status throughout the region; it featured a cover of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game." Razorblade Romance was released in 2000, and H.I.M. supported it with an extensive European tour. Pluto departed after Romance and was replaced by Emerson Burton. Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights, the band's third album, arrived in 2002, followed by the Europe-only Love Metal in 2003. A series of compilations followed, including various versions of And Love Said No: Greatest Hits 1997-2004 and two discs of rarities titled Uneasy Listening, Vol. 1 and Uneasy Listening, Vol. 2. In 2005, H.I.M.'s early albums were reissued in America through Universal; they also released Dark Light, their official domestic debut. After achieving statewide success, the band began work on their sixth studio album, Venus Doom, released in mid-September 2007. Mario Mesquita Borges, All Music Guide