A cult icon. A poster boy for the dark romanticism that defined his band's music. An artist whose musical legacy is as enigmatic as it is profound.
For more than two decades, Ville Valo has been the driving force behind HIM, the Finnish Love Metal pioneers who have taken the world by storm with their unique blend of heavy riffs and haunting melodies.
His signature voice, a rich baritone that effortlessly combined melancholy with sensuality, became the band's signature sound. With his dark gaze and poetic lyrics about love, death and heartbreak, Will became a sex symbol for a generation of fans drawn to his magnetic energy. Greek teenagers were no exception.
As a teenager himself, Ville formed HIM with his childhood friends in 1991, marking the beginning of a long and fruitful career. In the following years, HIM released a string of acclaimed albums, including Razorblade Romance—the band's breakthrough to mainstream success and a favorite among the HIM faithful—while becoming the figurehead of a generation of misfits and outsiders.
His music is a celebration of life and love, but it is also a reminder of the fragility of our existence and relationships. And as time and familiarity can take their toll on even the strongest of friendships, HIM outlived their course and disbanded in 2017, after a quarter of a century of 'love and metal interplay'. But for Ville Valo, music is more than just a career. It is a way of life, a means of self-expression and a journey of self-discovery.
After briefly withdrawing from the spotlight to delve into his past, Valo reinvented his work and himself (under the name “VV”). His refreshing take on Finnish rock history with The Agents in 2019 and the three-track EP 'Gothica Fennica Vol. 1” released in 2020, showed that he still has things to say. With the same moody tones from HIM's previous albums, Gothica Fennica set the stage for his first solo effort.
“Neon Noir”, an album he recorded, produced and played all instruments, goes beyond the conventional idea of ”a solo project”. It's a deeply personal and introspective work that showcases Ville's unique talents as a musician and songwriter. A true testament to his creative vision and determination to push the limits of his own art.
As Will prepares to take the stage at Rockwave festival (July 8), fans will enjoy a masterful blend of his past and present. With a tried-and-tested setlist that strikes a fine balance between his solo record and HIM favorites, Ville Valo proves that his music retains its timeless quality. His powerful vocals and honest presence will no doubt captivate you once again and take you back to a time when his voice was the soundtrack of your youth. So, dig out the charts of your heart!
