Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
H.I.M.
Title
Deep Shadows And Brilliant Highlights
Type
LP/EP
Company
Universal
YOR
2004
Style
Gothic/Symphonic
11/4/2004 - Review by: Ken Pierce
H.I.M.- Deep Shadows And Brilliant Highlights Universal reviewed by: Ken Pierce

Track Listing
1. Salt In Our Wounds
2. Heartache Every Moment
3. Lose You Tonight
4. In Joy And Sorrow
5. Pretending
6. Close To The Flame
7. Please Don’t Let It Go
8. Beautiful
9. Don’t Close Your Heart
10. Love You Like I Do
The next HIM CD that has been made available to us very easily in the United States in the release “Deep Shadows And Brilliant Highlights”. This CD is a little different than that of “Razorblade Romance” as it’s a little slower and sadder in it’s primary sound. It is a very good sounding record with more keyboards present on this piece than the last. It truly leans more towards the Gothic sound than the rock and rolling feel of RR. Not all of the numbers are slow however, for there is “Please Don’t Let It Go” and “Pretending” which move along a little quicker. Yet more than 80% of the piece is slower and moodier. Ville sounds more passionate on these tracks, since most speak of heartbreak and despair. Stand out tracks for me were “Salt In Our Wounds”, “Close To The Flame”, and “In Joy And Sorrow”.

The booklet is largely in black and white but provides the lyrics for all the tracks. They used a font to make it seem like Ville’s writing. There are only two pictures inside. One is on the cover of Ville himself, and one inside of the full band. The production on this piece is very well done. Yet given the fact that most of the numbers are slower and more somber I would have to say that this should not be the one you purchase as your H.I.M. introduction. Seek out either “Razorblade Romance” or “Love Said No” (the hits package) first. Then grab this. The die-hard will enjoy this easier than that of the newbie in my humble opinion. The group is returning to the USA for a short tour and I recommend seeing them, for they are a great live band.

His Infernal Majesty’s Homepage: www.heartagram.com

Rating: 7.5

--Ken Pierce 11.04.04
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: H.I.M.
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Deep Shadows And Brilliant Highlights
2004
Universal
Ken Pierce11/4/2004
-
Love Metal
2003
BMG
Nate Turpin8/13/2003
-
Razorblade Romance
2003
Universal
Ken Pierce6/3/2004
-
The Video Collection
2004
Universal
Ken Pierce11/3/2005
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: H.I.M.
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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