Digital Versatile Doom Live at The Orpheum Theatre - HIM CD / DVD Review

CD / DVD Review

Having seen H.I.M live [Wembley 2007 supporting Metallica] the prospect of hearing them again was a tad frightening. Wembley stadium was united in a chorus of boos and bottle throwing upon the bands gig that night, yet Digital Versatile Doom comes across clear sounding and beautifully produced.

The C.D contains a variety of the bands older hits, including an eerie rendition of ‘Killing Loneliness’ from 2005’s ‘Dark Light’ album. The soft keyboard notes and singer Ville Valo’s unique voice sounds much better than the albums rendition when performed live. H.I.M seem to bear more emotion live and the track comes across great, whilst the band’s unique breed of ‘Love Metal’ shines through in the softer based track ‘The Kiss of Dawn’ - H.I.M’s latest release Venus Doom.

Vocalist Ville Valo’s vocals are perhaps the reason H.I.M’s live album performs better than most. Ville has a great vocal range, hitting higher and lower notes which most live artists fail to do. The unique nature of his voice gives H.I.M a better sound live, whilst guitarist Mikko Viljami Lindström hits every note perfectly.

The band sound great on CD, the sound comes across clearly and the band hit everything perfectly. They also sound much improved from their previous studio releases, the song’s meanings really hit home when they’re being sung raw and live.

Now onto the DVD....

The band come across less impressive on the DVD compared to their CD production. Yes, the quality is just as good and H.I.M still carry the impressive sound, but they fail to create an energetic audience, especially at the start. The interaction between band and crowd is kept to a minimum, with Ville occasionally allowing the audience to sing the odd line or two. Ville remains by his microphone stand the whole night, hardly the right attitude to inspire a crowd reaction. The lack of this explains why there is a distinct lack of audience shots. Towards the end the crowd get a little more into it but it’s too little too late.

H.I.M does create a nice stage image for themselves though, without blowing massive money on lights or fireworks. The low lit lighting and venue really seem to suit the band, and track ‘Rip out the Wings of a Butterfly’ is perhaps the highlight of the show. Again, the band seem to have the ability to perform better when being recorded on stage. Ville Valo and keyboardist Janne Puurtinen again steal the spotlight, combining their talents to make the song soaked in emotion and feeling

The near forty five minute interview with Ville Valo is initially interesting, yet even the most hardcore H.I.M fan will struggle to sit and listen to him discuss what could be his whole life in one interview. The other additional features see H.I.M obsessed fans meet the band which is a nice little add-on, photos finalise the DVDs features.

A decent entry by H.I.M, perhaps just a live album would have been sufficient. The band show their live talents and sound great, yet the lack of charisma from Ville Valo means the occasion becomes a little tainted. Good, but not great.

Tom Crowther