What Happened to HIM (Finnish band)?
HIM, the iconic Finnish gothic rock band, disbanded in 2017 after a 26-year career, with frontman Ville Valo subsequently launching a successful solo project under the moniker VV. As of April 2026, Valo has expressed openness to a reunion, fueling rumors of a potential stadium show in 2027.
Quick Answer
HIM, the Finnish gothic rock band known for their 'love metal' sound, officially disbanded on December 31, 2017, following a farewell tour. Lead singer Ville Valo has since pursued a solo career as VV, releasing his debut album "Neon Noir" in 2023 and touring extensively. In April 2026, Valo publicly stated his desire to play with his former bandmates again, leading to speculation and rumors of a possible HIM reunion concert in Helsinki in 2027.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Band Formation as His Infernal Majesty
Vocalist Ville Valo and bassist Mikko "Mige" Paananen formed the band His Infernal Majesty in Helsinki, Finland.
Reformation as HIM
Valo and guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström reformed the band, now called HIM, with Mige rejoining.
Debut Album Release: Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666
HIM released their first full-length album, which charted in Finland and Germany.
International Breakthrough with "Join Me in Death"
The single "Join Me in Death" became an international hit, reaching number one in Finland and Germany.
Razorblade Romance Album Release
Their second album, "Razorblade Romance," topped the charts in Finland, Austria, and Germany, expanding their European exposure.
Love Metal Album Release
The band released "Love Metal," an album that solidified their genre's namesake and expanded their popularity to the U.S.
Dark Light Achieves US Gold Status
Their fifth studio album, "Dark Light," became their most commercially successful, charting in sixteen countries and earning a gold record in the US.
Final Studio Album: Tears on Tape
HIM released their eighth and final studio album, "Tears on Tape."
Disbandment Announcement
HIM announced their decision to disband after 26 years, citing that the band had "run its unnatural course."
Final Show at Helldone Festival
The band played their last concert as part of their annual Helldone Festival in Helsinki.
Ville Valo Launches Solo Project VV
Ville Valo began his solo career under the moniker VV, releasing the surprise EP "Gothica Fennica Vol. 1."
VV Releases Debut Solo Album "Neon Noir"
Ville Valo's first full-length solo album, "Neon Noir," was released to critical acclaim, debuting at number one in Finland.
VV "Neon Noir" Tour Concludes
Ville Valo wrapped up his extensive "Neon Noir" world tour with a final performance at London's Royal Albert Hall.
Ville Valo Expresses Openness to HIM Reunion
In an interview with Metal Hammer, Ville Valo stated he "would love to play with the lads again someday" and misses his former bandmates.
Rumors of 2027 HIM Reunion Show Emerge
Following Valo's comments, rumors circulated on Radio City Suomi about a potential HIM reunion concert at Helsinki Olympic Stadium in 2027.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
HIM, originally formed as His Infernal Majesty in 1991 by vocalist Ville Valo and bassist Mikko "Mige" Paananen, rose to international prominence with their unique blend of gothic rock and metal, which they dubbed 'love metal'. After reforming in 1995, the band released their debut album, "Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666," in 1997. Their breakthrough came with the single "Join Me in Death" in 1999, which topped charts in Finland and Germany, followed by the successful album "Razorblade Romance" in 2000.
The band continued to build a global fanbase, achieving a significant milestone in 2005 when their album "Dark Light" became the first by a Finnish group to receive a gold record in the United States. Over their career, HIM released eight studio albums and sold over ten million records worldwide, earning numerous accolades including eight Emma Awards.
A key turning point occurred in 2015 when drummer Mika "Gas Lipstick" Karppinen departed, replaced by Jukka "Kosmo" Kröger. On March 5, 2017, HIM announced their decision to disband after 26 years, with Valo stating that the band had "run its unnatural course" and that "adieus must be said in order to make way for sights, scents and sounds yet unexplored." The band embarked on a farewell tour, culminating in their final performance on New Year's Eve 2017 at their annual Helldone Festival in Helsinki.
Following the disbandment, the members pursued individual projects. Ville Valo launched his solo career under the moniker VV, releasing the EP "Gothica Fennica Vol. 1" in 2020 and his critically acclaimed debut solo album, "Neon Noir," on January 13, 2023. He embarked on an extensive world tour for "Neon Noir," which concluded with a show at London's Royal Albert Hall on May 10, 2024. Guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström and former drummer Gas Lipstick formed the band Flat Earth in 2018. Bassist Mikko "Mige" Paananen and keyboardist Janne "Burton" Puurtinen had previously been involved with Daniel Lioneye, a side project with Linde, which became inactive after 2016.
As of April 2026, Ville Valo is reportedly working on new solo music, aiming to maintain his signature "dark romantic" style. Significantly, in an interview published on April 15, 2026, Valo expressed a strong sentiment towards his former bandmates, stating he "would love to play with the lads again someday" and that he misses them. This statement has ignited considerable reunion buzz, with rumors emerging on Radio City Suomi on April 23, 2026, suggesting a potential HIM reunion show at Helsinki Olympic Stadium in 2027. While no official confirmation has been made, and Valo had previously indicated in October 2025 that other members had "something better to do" when he broached the topic, the recent comments and rumors suggest a possible future for HIM.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if HIM (Finnish band) made different choices?