Finnish band HIM has just released their new offering called “Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice”. Just imagine going from small clubs in Finland to platinum artist, known worldwide and with the legions of dedicated fans clamming for new music, this is just a stepping stone to world domination for this group.

With the memorizing vocals of Ville Valo and the aura of greatness, the opening track “In Venere Veritas” jumps right into high gear. Surely to be a fan favorite with the power and excitement shining through and the guitar work by Mikko "Linde" Lindström is vibrant and stunning.

Track two “Scared To Death” has a vibe of THE CURE with the subtle acoustics and keys giving the track a heavenly feel. Loved this song!

You know, living in America there are so many bands but you see this logo on people’s cars and homes and wonder what the insignia means. Many are curious and track down the logo and find it’s associated to the band HIM. They check the band out and are delighted with the innovative direction of the music. HIM is the next step in music, they have pop and a calming feeling to their songs yet are powerful enough to reach the masses.

It’s amazing that the song “Disarm Me (With Your Loneliness)” HIM brings on a folk style and at the same time still has a sense of soaring guitar work in the vein of Slash (ex-GUNS N’ ROSES.

Ville Valo’s vocals are phenomenal from song to song; a true icon in the music biz that has an approach that delivers power. Just listening to “Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice” you get an uplifting feeling.

The balance of genres between rock and alternative is mild and can make the grade in music in general. Check out “Disarm Me (With Your Loneliness)”; the song is something the young kids will listen to yet the hard rockers will cling to also.

Check the vibe on “Ode To Solitude”; I can just imagine what a killer tune this would be to hear live. The keys of Janne "Burton" Puurtinen are poignant and yet harsh and the smooth vocals of Valo are huge. This is one of the reasons why HIM can reach that high plateau, swaying different music fans to be followers.

My highlight track is “Like St. Valentine”. The song has good hooks that are easy to sing along to and the screams by Valo are chilling. Loved the track!

Ending the CD is a slow melodic techno song called “The Forboding Sense Of Impending Happiness”. Really not my taste for ending a CD but I’m sure the fans will like it.

“Screamworks: Love in Theory and Practice” is an amazing CD that will take you on a journey to space and back. Pick this one up!