Mad About Rock

  North American gothic metal fans were met with cause for elation last week, when genre-leading outfits BLACK VEIL BRIDES & VV (Ville Valo) announced an epic co-headlining tour for the Fall of this year. The announcement has proven to be an omen of what was still to come, as today, Black Veil Brides have released their cover of the Sisters of Mercy classic “Temple of Love” feat. VV! Leading with foreboding organs that quickly kick into a dark double time pace, the track tells tales of the perils of love in gothic storms, and bades the listener beware the wrought elegance it weaves. With an ominous tone, “Temple of Love” is the solemn backdrop to which these love metal paragons begin their union and sets the unholy couple off on their upcoming concert tour. Committed to uncompromising expression, with a foundation in hard rock tradition and rule-breaking iconoclasm, BLACK VEIL BRIDES is a transcendent celebration of life-affirming power and anthemic catharsis. A gothic visio...

  Finnish Love Metal pioneer, Ville Valo, will release new single, “Loveletting”, on April 8th under the VV banner. “Loveletting” is taken from VV’s forthcoming debut album, Neon Noir. Ville explains, “As fun as the funeral rites for HIM were, it took me more than a few moons to lick my wounds in the shadow of the Heartagram and come up with an excuse to strum and hum again. Eventually I decided to put a leash on my beloved black dog and we started howling together instead of barking at each other. That's how Loveletting was born". “Loveletting” will be made available across all digital platforms from midnight tonight (local time). An official video clip will follow tomorrow @ 17:00 CET, HERE. VV's debut album Neon Noir is scheduled for release in early 2023; belonging to the same forlorn world of woe and whimsy once conceived and governed by Valo in HIM, VV arrives with additional nuanced notes of a fine aged Cabernet. Ville adds, "Artistically speaking the main dif...

December 2017 saw the creators of love metal, Finnish band HIM calling it a day.  It hasn't been long but they are missed dearly already so we decided to be nostalgic and look back at some of their best music videos especially in aid of Valentine's day on the 14th February and them being the creators of 'love metal'. So let's take a look at 5 essential HIM videos to check out... Funeral Of Hearts This is a very scenic and beautifully gothic video in the snowy setting with decorative fire and with symbolism throughout. It captures their Finnish and love metal essence. An essential masterful video from the band. Wings Of A Butterfly It is very atmospheric, dark and cinematic video and well produced, making it one of their best  and most stand out videos. The song is ridiculously catchy also, again another must-see video in their releases. Buried Alive By Love This was one of their best and most popular songs and videos. Set in an ol...

Ex-HIM Frontman Ville Valo has announced his return to music with his new band, Ville Valo & Agents, with their debut single, a cover of Rauli  Badding Somerjoki's  'Orpolapsi Kiurun'(‘Orphan Child Of The Skylark’) to drop later this month on the 21st September, with an album to follow in 2019. Ville has teamed up with Esa Pulliainen, guitarist with veteran Finnish band Agents, to record an album of songs inspired by late Finnish rock’n’roll singer Rauli Badding Somerjoki. “This story begins three years ago,” says Pulliainen, whose band played with Badding in the 80s. “Upon finding three demo cassettes in my drawer which had been sent to me by Badding back in the day, I knew I had to contact Ville right from the get-go. I was aware he knows his Badding inside out. I'm really happy that we were able to finalize this project. Badding meant for these songs to be recorded and even if it took us 30 years to make that happen, I feel I've kept my promise." ...