UMUR "Razorblade Romance" is the 2nd full-length studio album by Finnish goth rock/metal act Him. The album was released in December 1999 by BMG. While the band´s debut album mostly gained Him popularity in their homeland, "Razorblade Romance" was the album that gave them European commercial success. It wasn´t until 2002 that "Razorblade Romance" was released in the US and it was actually initially released under the Her monicker as an American band owned the rights to the Him name. "Razorblade Romance" was only released in 1000 copies with the Her name on the sleeve though as the band quickly secured the rights to the name and all subsequent pressings bear the Him name.

The music on "Razorblade Romance" is a very easily accessible goth rock/metal style. The tracks are vers/chorus structured and seldom deviate from that form. The atmosphere is melancholic and dominated by the vocals by Ville Hermanni Valo. The instrumental part of the music functions more as backing to the vocals than anything else (don´t expect memorable riffs). Everything is wrapped up in a clean and polished production that I´m sure won´t offend anyone. And that´s probably my greatest issue with this album. I want to be offended, I want to be challenged and I´m having a hard time appreciating a pop oriented album posing as a metal ditto. That´s of course unless the material on said type album is of an extraordinarily high quality, which isn´t the case here. After a couple of tracks the album quickly settles into a steady stream of goth roch/metal tunes that don´t stand out from each other and badly lack attitude. Hell this is so sweet even my mother would like it!

Allow me to question the longivity of the music on this album. At least it didn´t take me more than a couple of listens before I felt less than entertained. A 2.5 star rating is warranted.

arcane-beautiful I really feel sorry for HIM, cause their such a good band, but people only like them when their in, or whenever Bam Margera isn’t as popular or famous as he was…it’s a right shame…

But to be honest, I don’t care, I will always love these guys, I don’t care if their popular or not, all I know is that they will still do what they do best, constantly make great albums and songs.

I was impressed by this album, being their second, is was quite a step from their doomy first. This album was a bit more pop and the singles from this album really are their most classic songs. Ville still adorned the cover, but to be honest, even though he did love himself a bit too much back in the day, Ville will always be HIM, he writes the songs, he’s the voice of HIM and to be honest, he’s just a legend, in his own weird right.

I wouldn’t say this is HIM’s best album, cause there is one or 2 that I think surpass this one, but to be honest, it’s a HIM album, and that’s all you need to know.

1. Your Sweet 666 – That main riff is just classic. Great song with an amazing chorus. I do prefer the And Love Said No version with louder keyboards. 10/10

2. Poison Girl – Great chorus and some great vocals. Classic HIM really. 10/10

3. Join Me In Death – Even though this song is about suicide, it really is one of the greatest love songs have ever heard. So beautiful and so truthful, it’s a bit dark romantic, but hey that’s him for ya. 10/10

4. Right Here In My Arms – Their most poppiest song I think. I don’t care, this song just rules. 10/10

5. Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart – Quite doomy and gothic. Great baritone from Ville. 9/10

6. Wicked Game – One of those times a cover is better than an original. Although HIM always do covers justice. 10/10

7. I Love You – Such a cool chorus with some great layered deep vocals 10/10

8. Gone With The Sin – Very soothing and calm. Great vocal moment from Ville. 10/10

9. Razorblade Kiss – Quite punky, with some quite heavy guitar moments. 9/10

10. Resurrection – This is one of my friend’s HIM songs (in fact she leant me this cd, cause my brother wouldn’t buy it haha). And she’s always right haha. 10/10

11. Death Is In Love With Us –Sone interesting lyrics and a great chorus. 9/10

12. Heaven Tonight – A nice little ender. 9/10

CONCLUSION: HIM never fear to interest me. Some really classic moments on this album.

Bomb Brigade Even if you just pick this album up for Ville Valo's amazing rendition of Blue Oyster Cult's classic DON'T FEAR THE REAPER,it will be money well spent.HIM completely deconstructs and reconstructs this epic song and turns it into an even greater,of almost operatic proprtions,epic.The assisted lead vocal duet of Sanna-June Hyde and Asta Hannula only enhances the sheer brilliance of this chilling performance and makes it a stand alone track,for all time,of monumental stature.And to think that DON'T FEAR THE THE REAPER was merely a demo recording and only an afterthought to be put on this disc that nearly didn't make the final grade,were it not for Ville wanting to bring this disc's total running time to exactly 6:66.But,don't let DON'T FEAR THE REAPER alone sell you on the merits of this album.Greatest Love Songs Vol.666 also introduces the listener to the melodically brilliant and lyrically bittersweet YOUR SWEET SIX SIX SIX,a true rocker for all time...just ask Bam Margera.Ville's take on Chris Isaak's WICKED GAME is another "deep shadow and brilliant highlight" to be found in this collection.WHEN LOVE AND DEATH EMBRACE is simple,yet effective,in its haunting beauty. This album certainly stands worthy of introducing any of the curious to the inner mind and the great artistry that is Ville Valo.

Bomb Brigade "I Used To Love HIM...But I Had To Kill HIM..."That's what Guns N' Roses would have said,were they to review this immediately forgettable piece of work.It's such a shame,too,as HIM was a band that had shown true promise for the goth/glam community just a few short years earlier.I can certainly appreciate what Ville Valo is trying to say about relationships with his often brilliant narrative prose,but that just isn't enough. What happened?Did cleaning up and setting down the bottle inhibit Ville's creativity?Were the critics,who were,at times,unnecessarily harsh with their reviews for the brilliant Dark Light,too much for Ville to withstand and force him to return to a less hook-structured(and thereby commercially appealing)style and curb his passion for constructing brilliant melodies?Or did Ville simply run his creative well dry of all its juices?Not sure.What can be said,for certain,is that this album is the band's weakest offering to date(even weaker than 2007's equally forgettable Venus Doom). And to think that it took the great Ville Valo three years to deliver us this platter.