Atlanta fans of Finnish rockers H.I.M. (aka His Infernal Majesty) got one last chance to see the pioneers of “Love Metal” perform live at Buckhead Theatre November 6. The band, which has been together for an astounding 26 years, announced in early 2017 that it would be disbanding after an international farewell tour, dubbed the Bang and Whimper Farewell Tour. Fans packed the sold out show, many wearing shirts and other apparel with a “Heartagram,” the band’s signature logo, upon them to show their undying support.
“Buried Alive By Love,” from 2003’s Love Metal, started the expansive set list, which spanned H.I.M.’s career and got the crowd pumped for more as they screamed along to every word. Front man Ville Valo, dressed in his signature head-to-toe black, was all smiles as he sang to his audience, giving them energy and getting it back tenfold. Other fan favorites such as “Your Sweet 666” and “The Sacrament” continued the set, followed by the band’s biggest hit “Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly,” from the breakout 2005 album Dark Light. The beloved cover of Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” was the highlight of the show, while “Gone With the Sin” showed off Ville’s impressive vocal range. Dark Light got more love with “Killing Loneliness,” while 2000’s Razorblade Romance was represented with “Poison Girl” and the song that started it all, “Join Me in Death.”
The band left the stage following “The Funeral of Hearts,” but did not stay gone long before an encore featuring a cover of Billy Idol’s “Rebel Yell,” and the perfect send off song, “When Love and Death Embrace.” After uttering the last words to the song, Ville simply held up a hand to say goodbye to the audience while the rest of the band continued to the end of the epic song.
It’s sad to know the band will not be touring again, but this show definitely left its mark on Atlanta fans, who will no doubt always remember the night they saw H.I.M. perform one last time.
