HIM Announces Farewell Tour

This has been a tough week for the metal world. Not only has Black Sabbath officially debanded, but HIM is also calling it quits. Fortunately, the Finnish act is embarking on one final tour before the musicians go their separate ways.

“After quarter of a century of Love and Metal intertwined we sincerely feel HIM has run its unnatural course and adieus must be said in order to make way for sights, scents and sounds yet unexplored. We completed the pattern, solved the puzzle and turned the key. Thank you,”  frontman Ville Valo said in a statement.

Scott Legato / RockStarProPhotography.com – Ville Valo of HIM
Freedom Hill Amphitheatre, Sterling Heights, Mich.

Bassist Mikko “Mige” Paananen also offered some thoughts on the band’s final outing. 

“At the end of 2017 we will be released into the wild. Before this event of great transformation we would love to offer you one last chance to experience our live performances in His Majesty’s service. It shall not be a weepfest but a celebration of love metal in all its lovecraftian glory! See you there!”

Valo, Mige and guitarist Mikko “Linde” Lindstrom formed HIM in 1991. The final lineup also includes Burton on keyboards and Jukka “Kosmo” Kroger on drums. The band released eight studio albums, starting with its 1997 debut, Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666. Its final album is 2013’s Tears On Tape.

As referenced in Valo’s quote, Love Metal is the name of HIM’s 2003 album as well as the band’s take on metal. An announcement posted on Facebook describes the group’s sound as “beautifully blending metal, goth and hard rock with deep, thoughtful and moving lyrics.”

Tour dates in the U.S. and Finland are yet to be announced. For now, here is the confirmed farewell schedule:

June 14 – Barcelona, Spain, Razzmatazz
June 15 – Madrid, Spain, La Riviera
June 16 – Santander, Spain, Escenario Santander
June 17 – Porto, Portugal, Hard Club
July 1 – Helsinki, Finland, Suvilahti (Tuska Open Air Metal Festival)
July 13 – Tuuri, Finland, Veljekset Keskinen Oy (Miljoonarock)
Nov. 24 – St. Petersburg, Russia, DK Lensovieta
Nov. 25 – St. Petersburg, Russia, DK Lensovieta
Nov. 26 – Moscow, Russia, Stadium Live
Nov. 28 – Warsaw, Poland, Stodola Club       
Nov. 29 – Hamburg, Germany, Docks Konzerte Disco
Dec. 1 – Berlin, Germany, Columbiahalle
Dec. 2 – Prague, Czech Republic, Forum Karlin
Dec. 4 – Leipzig, Germany, Haus Auensee
Dec. 5 – Munich, Germany, Tonhalle
Dec. 6 – Zurich, Switzerland, X-TRA
Dec. 7 – Milan, Italy, Alcatraz
Dec. 8 – Cologne, Germany, Palladium
Dec. 9 – Luxembourg, Luxembourg, Rockhal
Dec. 11 – Amsterdam, Netherlands, Paradiso
Dec. 12 – Tilburg, Netherlands, 013
Dec. 14 – Glasgow, Scotland, Barrowland
Dec. 15 – Nottingham, England, Rock City
Dec. 16 – Manchester, England, Manchester Academy
Dec. 17 – London, England, Roundhouse

Tickets are available now. Visit Heartagram.com and the band’s Facebook page for more information.