Dark Light

After conquering the rest of the world with chart-topping albums and sold-out tours, Finland's HIM (His Infernal Majesty) makes its U.S. debut with Dark Light. A Scandinavian rock icon, HIM enjoys more than a mere buzz overseas. It's a frenzy. Haunting, gothic, rocking, beautiful and melodic-produced by Tim Palmer (Robert Plant, U2) with the band recording for the first time in the U.S.-Dark Light opens the eyes of America to HIM.

Finland’s His Infernal Majesty (H.I.M.) has managed to release a solid, if not wholly overwhelming album. Listening to vocalist Ville Valo work his magic on the title tune, where he bridges the distance between Bono and Bowie, you almost believe you’re listening to one of the great voices, maybe even great bands, of the age. The sharp, hook-laden tunes such as "Killing Loneliness," "Vampire Heart" and "Rip Out The Wings Of A Butterfly" only seem to confirm that initial spark of discovery. However, the brilliance evident at the beginning barely stretches to the halfway mark. "The Face Of God" and "Drunk On Shadows" are little more than hooks around which other things happen rather than the promising, fully realized material found at the album’s start. That said, Dark Light ultimately proves an album worth owning even if it’s just to hear Valo work his unmistakable magic from end to end. --Jedd Beaudoin