Released: Feb 8, 2010
Genre: Alternative Rock
Label: Sire Records
Number Of Tracks: 13
Although the lyrical content featured within HIM's seventh album is almost poetic in nature, the lackluster musical foundation doesn't deliver the same emotional punch.
Screamworks: Love In Theory And PracticeFeatured review by: UG Team, on february 09, 2010 3 of 5 people found this review helpful
Sound: Intriguing as HIM frontman Ville Valo’s appearance and demeanor might be, the music on his band’s seventh studio album Screamworks: Love In Theory and Practice leaves plenty to be desired. The melodramatic title is alluring in its own right, leaving the average listener to assume that this is a record chock-full of passionate arrangements. Unfortunately, the latest CD feels like rehashed – and often generic – HIM material. Valo’s charisma and impressive vocal range do carry Screamworks to a point, but the themes behind the songs in no way seem to mirror the pop-like music accompanying them.
It’s understandable why the Finnish band chose “Heartkiller” as the first single from the new album, as its chorus is a catchy one and the intro synth line does draw you in at first listen. It’s still more of a pop-rock song than anything broaching the “alternative” genre, but again, it has the sing-along appeal that will make it an airplay-worthy. The opening track is infectious in a similar way, aided by Valo’s unique vocal phrasing (often slipping into a slightly falsetto) along the way. There’s a brief moment when the background vocals morph into a chanting choir (fitting for the Latin title), but it’s gone all too quickly to be truly effective.
Screamworks shows a bit more promise in the last half of the CD. “Shatter Me With Hope” begins with a quirky keyboard line atop distorted guitars, and it at least delivers a much-needed energy to the album. “In The Arms Of Rain” is driven by a U2-like rhythmic style – only imagine The Edge if he were on Speed. The choruses in both usually pan out in fairly the same way with lackluster results, but there’s at least enough interesting content within the overall arrangement that it keeps your interest.
After a good dose of pop-rock songs on much of the CD, there was the hope that HIM would pull out the big dramatic number in the final moments. Nothing is ever mind-blowing on Screamworks, but the last track “The Foreboding Sense of Impending Happiness” at least commits to more of a mellower sound than anything else heard on the CD. The synthesizer’s hypnotic effects are the primary focus in that track, but the addition of dreamlike vocals and an unusual, laid-back arrangement all make for a satisfying closer number. // 6
Lyrics and Singing: Where the music fails to deliver drama, Valo usually comes through ten times over lyrically. “Heartkiller” provides just one example with lines such as, “Farewell heartless world; I'll send you a postcard burnt in flames; You've tried so hard to extinguish with the fear of failing; I’ll write down everything I’ve learned.”Valo has a natural gift at making his lyrics indeed sound like they’ve come straight from a book of his own personal poetry or perhaps a private journal, and that’s the major selling point to Screamworks. // 9
Impression: HIM every once in awhile is able to obtain the “wow” factor, but it’s sadly missing in action on Screamworks. While keyboardist Janne Puurtinen is working overtime delivering everything from industrial rhythms to cherubic compositions, the core songwriting is not living up to its end of the bargain. Valo, as usual, has a wide vocal range that compensates in some areas, but it’s not enough to make the listener connect emotionally – which given the heavy lyrical content – is something that the HIM might have had in mind. // 7
Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice
Reviewed by:
BenjoJames, on october 14, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: The polar opposite of 2007's 'Venus Doom', Finland's veteran goth rock champions HIM have traded in the dirgey, Sabbath influenced doom metal that was so prevalent on said LP for the brighter strains of 80's pop. Whilst being influenced by such opposing styles has counted toward their advantage in the past (I refer you to 1999's 'Razorblade Romance' or 2003's 'Love Metal') 'Screamworks..' lacks the power and punch that pushed the Helsinki goths into the mainstream rock scene, sounding somewhat cliched and self-absorbed when contrasted with thier other works. Whilst having many catchy hooks and saving graces in the uplifting 'Scared to Death' and the experimental 'The Foreboding Sense of Impending Happiness', one cannot help but feel a little cheated by Ville Valo and co's latest effort. // 6
Lyrics and Singing: The poetic nature of Ville Valo's lyrics is certainly impressive, however errs on self-absorbed. As per usual, the concept of love is Valo's muse, however as opposed to the heartbreak, loss and pain featured on previous efforts, Valo instead chooses to focus on the 'theory and practice' involved in maintaining a relationship. Valo's imagination and ego seem to run away with him to a degree though, and it is no mean feat that he has managed to condense his romantic stream of consciousness into HIM's standard verse/chorus format. Vocal wise, Valo is at the top of his game, most probably due to his abstaining the alcohol and cigarettes that once defined him. There are many lush textures of voice throughout 'Screamworks...', particularly on opener 'In Venere Veritas', where at one point his baritone harmonies begin to resemble a Medieval choir. // 8
Impression: Sonically, the catchy pop driven 'Screamworks...' is most akin to 2005's 'Dark Light', however lacks the variation and depth that made 'Dark Light' so critically acclaimed. Whilst individually, every track from 'Screamworks...' is catchy, well written and strong in it's own right, as an album 'Screamworks...' starts to become monotonous and cliched. 'In Venere Veritas' is a strong opener, classic HIM with a fresher, denser, more layered production courtesy of pop producer Matt Squire. The following track and second single ('Heartkiller' was the first single to have been released off of 'Screamworks') 'Scared to Death' takes HIM's pop sensibility to new heights with an uplifting love song chock full of catchy hooks and 80's keyboards. Throughout the album there is a subtle electronica influence and production style; this is made most evident in closing track 'The Foreboding Sense of Impending Happiness', a chilling electronic love poem resultant of guitarist Mikko 'Linde' Lindstrom having broken his wrist and being unable to play guitar on the track. If this album were lost I would much rather buy the Matt Squire produced 'Streets of Gold' by 3OH!3 than this album. One for the diehard HIMster maybe, but certainly not a good introduction to the band. // 6
Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice
Reviewed by:
Jaded7, on may 14, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Long considered a primary pioneer in Finnish metal, HIM has been offering Gothic alternative rock for almost twenty years now. They have been praised for their Black Sabbath-style doom metal heard throughout all of their albums. And it seemed that as time progressed, they seemed to get better and better, adding more heaviness and Gothic imagery to an already solid rock n' roll formula.
Their last album, Venus Doom, was probably their best album up to that point. It took the classic HIM formula and multiplied it by three, making it almost an orchestra of heavy Goth rock.
So by all of this, you can obviously tell that I am a huge HIM fan. And when I found out that they would release a new album entitled "Screamworks," I was ecstatic. Venus Doom was absolute nirvana for me, and when I heard that Screamworks was going to be their most experimental, I was even more pumped. I couldn't wait to hear what new sounds Ville Valo and the boys had to offer.
The day finally came. February 8, 2010. I rushed to my nearest music store and found that there was just one last copy of Screamworks available. I quickly ran to the cashier, paid for the album, and went straight home. As I was opening the CD case, I knew for a fact that I was in for an experience. I put the CD into my stereo system and listened to the album.
After listening to the album, I can say this. I was right about one thing: it is an experience. Unfortunately, it's not the experience I was hoping for.
The band did state that Screamworks would be their most experimental, and that is indeed true. The album provides a much more pop-fueled sound, which is the major problem. It's not slightly pop, but pretty much half-and-half. And in some cases, it's more like one-quarter-and-three-quarters as the pop sounds tend to be very over the top by drowning out the overall heaviness of the guitars and reduce them to something of the likes of a sound produced by a tad harder version of The Who. As a matter of fact, the final track on this album, "The Foreboding Sense of Impending Happiness", is just pop with no guitar work at all. It's probably the most out of place song on that album (and that is saying a lot) and makes me uneasy as I even think about it.
But it's not all bad, because there are actually a few songs that actually work very well with the pop sounds: "Heartkiller" & "Like St. Valentine", which combine Gothic hard rock with some nice synthesizer and keyboard based sounds, "Katherine Wheel", which bears a sound somewhat similar to some of the songs found on Dark Light, and "In The Arms Of Rain", which is without a doubt the best song on the album with its insane use of the keyboard. It's just a shame that the other songs on the album couldn't make use of great use of the pop sounds as these four did. // 3
Lyrics and Singing: Ville Valo's voice in this album is both a blessing and a curse. While Valo does maintain that deep Jim Morrison-like voice and sings about the usual death-demons-love poetry, both factors seem ridiculously out of place in Screamworks with the album's over-the-top upbeat pop sounds. Granted, the vocals and lyrics are great here, but, with the exceptions of "Heartkiller", "Katherine Wheel", "In The Arms Of Rain", and "Like St. Valentine", they just don't mix well. // 5
Impression: "Disappointment" isn't even a strong enough word here. It wasn't the Gothic and depressing lyrics that bummed me out about this album, but it was just the majority of the album itself. HIM does display at times on this album that they are capable of making a decent pop-metal album similar to that of Van Halen or Winger. And while I am all for a band experimenting with a new sound and diving into uncharted territory, the band has to make sure that it's not over-the-top experimental. It happened to Metallica in the mid 1990's and it's happening to HIM now in the year 2010. In fact, this album is definitely worthy enough of being called the Load of the 2010's, and I'm not so sure that's something to be proud of. // 4
Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice
Reviewed by:
unregistered, on march 05, 2010 0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Sound: Lets take you back to the year 2000. I was sitting on my couch watching a DVD of CKY3, and the one part that stood out to me, much to my surprise and my friends dismay, was a series of stunts set to the song "Right Here In My Arms" by HIM. I remember thinking "Wow, this is a great song, its better than anything else on this DVD." The song itself blew me away. 10 years later, I still get a little chill up my spine when I listen to that song. It struck something in me. After the O.K. Dark Light in 2005, and the very dissapointing Venus Doom in 2007, its safe to say that my interest and hope has been renewed in HIM, thanks to this years "Screamworks."
Theres a few disappointments i had in terms of sound, such as how almost every song has a toned down electronic drum track in a certain part of it, or how a lot of songs have that same pause in between the first Verse and the main Chorus, often being filled with some sort of cheesy 80's Keyboard. Another let-down for me is that Lead Guitarist Linde Lazer is not given a real chance to shine on this album. Most of the songs are played with power chords in odd progressions, and almost every song is completely void of an guitar solo at all, unlike Venus Doom (which might I add was the only highlight of the album). Drummer Gas has stepped up on this album however, and he almost single handedly steals the spotlight from Lead Singer Ville Valo. I know some of you are going to think I'm nuts for that last statement, but give the album another listen, without listening to the crooning voice of Valo, and listen to some of the complex beats and breakdowns that Gas throws down. Bassist Mige...well...his job is pointless as always with bass riffs that might as well have been filled in using a simple editing program.
The entire album sounds happy, with the exception of a few songs, or at first anyway, as the songs that sounds like old "slit my wrists" HIM are usually often marred by a more toned down and poppy Chorus.
The overall sound of the album is good, as all the instruments mesh together very well in a greatly arranged album, but there are a few let downs. // 7
Lyrics and Singing: Ville Valo, trademark pessimistic somehow becomes overwhelmingly happy, seeking soulmate to cuddle with and draw hearts on the mirror for. If Ville Valo had a personal ad in the paper, it would look like that after this album. His lyrics have gone from always looking at the doom and gloom in things, to suddenly being...happy. One lyric in particular struck me as odd coming from his inevitably cancer stricken vocal chords: "I'm so happy to see you where you belong, in these arms you belong in." I almost threw up in my mouth just typing that. What happened to always being torn apart from the one he loved and wanting to die to be with them? Now, I'm not saying this is bad, I'm just saying that its slightly unusual, especially for Valo. However, thats my only complaint about the lyrics, as most of the lyrics on the album are heavily influenced by history, and more than likely required a major amount of studying and reading old high school history books and mythological lore. The lyrics match the sound style of the album very well, as does Valo's vocal range, being that the music sounds happier, the lyrics further drive that happiness right into every 15 year old emo girls heart, making them, albiet hesitantly, squeeze out a smile. Unfortunately, Valo's voice does seem to be fading, as in certain parts his voice felt too rough, a much better fit for their last effort "Venus Doom." But still, I find myself it work humming, or even singing these songs all day long, so the lyrics, despite their unusually happy tone, do stick with you, and are some of the most catchiest HIM lyrics yet. // 9
Impression: At first listen, I have to admit, I HATED this album. But then I realized it was because its not the traditional HIM album that I'm used to, so I gave it a few more listens and I've really started to come around, as it turns out to be a really catchy album. While it doesn't live up to "Razorblade Romance" (will anything?) it still is a decent, semi-solid effort from Finland's biggest export, next to the Dudesons (who just signed a 6 million dollar deal with MTV here in the US). Here's to another 2 years of waiting for the next HIM album, another 2 years of hoping its like "Razorblade Romance" and then the two years after wishing the same thing about the next album. // 8
Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice
Reviewed by:
helsinkivampire, on february 12, 2010 0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Sound: "Screamworks: Love in Practice and Theory" is going to be HIM's greatest selling album to debut. As their fifth album, "Dark Light", was purchased by over 600,000 HIM fans to date, "Screamworks..." has been purchased by 200,000 is just the first week alone. I believe that this album is the true prodigy that Ville has been searching for throughout his musical career. Burton composed more keyboard riffs and intro's than ever before on this album. I live in Huntsville, Alabama for f--k's sake and almost every store had the album sold out... // 10
Lyrics and Singing: I know I am not telling anything a true HIM fan already knows about Ville's lyrics and his voice, but on this album, once again, you can understand Ville's heartache and sincerity by listening to the lyrics. However, there seems to be no anger expressed by Ville in this album... I believe that he has become fed up with his "creative depression", from Johnna and his childhood. Consequently, This "creative depression" Ville has been going through has made him a very successful artist and a savior to many fans. Anybody could listen to Ville's lyrics and understand that the world is a f--ked up place and love can literally kill someone... I understand the pain that he is going through just by listening to his voice, even in an interview. I just want Ville and the band to know that I truly, from the bottom of my heart, respect what they do and that they have more balls than any other musician I know (Zakk Wylde as an exception). But I will shut up now... // 10
Impression: As I said before, there is nothing wrong with this album and does not compare to any of their previous albums, excluding "Dark Light". Their very popular single, "Heartkiller", has caught my attention in a very special way. To me, this song explains how one can try too hard to make love work between another. Doing this will only make that particular love flourish away due to the presence of "scaring another away". You cannot make love work and you should not have too or even want too. If this album was lost or stolen, I would buy all the albums available in one store. // 10
I personally love this album but then again I love all HIM's album. Each one sounds different and I think alot of people were expecting another Venus Doom where its just all heavy.
I think this album is really great. HIM are probably the only band I like who keep churning out songs which sound similar, but still sound really great. 'Heartkiller', 'Scared To Death' and 'Disarm Me' probably the highlights of the album.
Great album. The sound does seem a bit more popish, but I think its prob just from the fact that its more upbeat. I am a bit biased since HIM were most of the reason I started guitar and ventured into rock and metal, they also put a huge influence on my writing style. But all in all I think the album is a bit differing from their previous ones, but fits in snugly and does excellently.
Great album. The sound does seem a bit more popish, but I think its prob just from the fact that its more upbeat. I am a bit biased since HIM were most of the reason I started guitar and ventured into rock and metal, they also put a huge influence on my writing style. But all in all I think the album is a bit differing from their previous ones, but fits in snugly and does excellently.
*doublepost* you can't blame the band for Matt Squire making it sound like a singer-driven band. If he actually realized the band was best in a live setting, as most bands are, he'd see that it's blending that makes them work so strongly. He shouldn't have focused on just isolated elements and just recorded their natural flow.
The fact remains guys that their a rock or metal band, and the whole genre was and still IS about breaking away from what is considered 'style' and forming something new. So experimenting and bringing new ideas while still keeping their bands flavor in the sound is truly great. Plus, think about it from their view, not our own, you might come out with a different idea about it.
From what I've heard this album has more to offer than Venus Doom. Man, Venus Doom was a huge let down for me. Sure, it had solos and blah blah blah, but so far this album is a step in the right direction in my opinion. Then again Deep Shadows has always been my favorite...
God damn this album is so horrible i could go crap into a vinyl player and the sound created from the needle poking shit would sound better then this album.
For what it is, it's brilliant. Venus Doom for me was the best work they've done to me (I'm a prog metalhead). This, however, while more poppy and commercial... it's still HIM and it's still catchy as shit. Compared to things of a similar nature, this record blows other artists out of the water.
well it can't be worse than Venus Doom (or can it?!).
even dark light was a let down, cause they decided to stop being gothic, and just went to rock with some lyrics that really never vary from album to album. right now they're basically riding on their name and reputation, but that won't last forever. then again it's doing them good so hey, whatever if it works for them. some stuff's not bad on it, but overall there is a lot better gothic metal out there, just check out poisonblack, charon, or my dying bride.
Compared to things of a similar nature, this record blows other artists out of the water.
yeah, like i said, there are much better gothic bands out there, HIM are quickly becoming quite old and repetetive.
again this is all my opinion, so don't rip on it if you do not agree.
oops, the post above was supposed to quote the
"Compared to things of a similar nature, this record blows other artists out of the water." part, sorry about that.
I'm sorry to say this, but this album is the worst HIM have produced to date. I've been a fan since "Greatest Lovesongs" and this is just...horrid. I can understand their urge to sound poppier in order to break into the US market, but this album undermines their artistic credibility in my eyes. Venus Doom was a much superior effort, albeit weak compared to Razorblade Romance or Greatest Lovesongs.
As cliche as it sounds, with this band, you love them or hate them.
they kinda play the same few songs over and over if you know what i mean. but so did some of the best bands.
the new album is great if you're a HIM fan. if not i'd just ask why you aren't.
That's really ain't accurate.
I loved the 4 first albums and hated Dark Light and this album now. Venus Doom was awesome. Are you trying to imply that all critic that the album has is just because HIMs not your thing?
Venus Doom was def the best HIM album to date. This in terms of heaviness makes Venus Doom seem like its by Children of Bodom. THe heaviest song on Screamworks is prob Ode To Solitude. Goo album no mattter what
I'm sorry to say this, but this album is the worst HIM have produced to date. I've been a fan since "Greatest Lovesongs" and this is just...horrid. I can understand their urge to sound poppier in order to break into the US market, but this album undermines their artistic credibility in my eyes. Venus Doom was a much superior effort, albeit weak compared to Razorblade Romance or Greatest Lovesongs.
This. I've found that I have to listen to a song from Screamworks a dozen times before it even starts to grow on me, that just shouldn't happen..
Venus Doom was the best album for me, so perhaps I'll always consider anything else a letdown
I listened twice and i'm sorry to say this too...
It's the worst HIM album i have ever listen. Damn! It's not rock! It's Pop-rock! I want to hear some dark and heavy riffs like Greatest Lovesong Vol. 666. Valo's voice is like a little lady... Where is the dark sounded, and impressive vocals? I'll continue to listen Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666 and Venus Doom!
wow this review is more of an opinion i personally think this album kicks ass in everyway. its not dark like past albums put still deep with some pretty kickass solos
hmm, i should've been less vague, cause i consider various things to be gothic that probably aren't. but they have that mainstream goth sound, and lyrically it's pretty much gothic themes of love and what not, just presented in a more up beat, poppish way. note, i don't consider them pop per se, just mainstream.
i know they consider themselves love metal or whatever, but i'm not into making subgenres of something that's already a branch of a subgenre probably.
Venus Doom was the best album for me, so perhaps I'll always consider anything else a letdown
lol, as soon as I read this a song from that album came on shuffle and instantly without thinking I skipped it and Midnattsol came on. I don't see the attraction to Venus Doom really.
This review is crap.I'm a HUGE HIM fan and this album is nothing short of amazing.Mr.Reviewer,there is a reason Valo and his four band mates are making this album,and you are giving your two cents worth.I'm sorry but your "two cents" isn't even worth that.
this review is crap, i've listened to the entire cd and think it's classic HIM, sounds very similar to razorblade romance and dark light, has an 80's feel, i really think it's probably my favorite HIM cd yet, i guess the critics just don't understand the band,i would strongly recommend getting this cd, it's truely amazing and will probably be one of the best rock cd's of the year, listen to the fan's comments not the reviews!
Unfortunately, the latest CD feels like rehashed – and often generic – HIM material.
Ummm, did the editor of this article listen to all of their albums? Every one has their own vibe some are more proggy, some more guitar based, and others are driven soley on valo's lyrics. Personally I anticipated this album to be like Venus Doom and a lot more riffy then it isnt but after listening to it I was pleasently surprised they didnt take the same route again. But, scared to death seems pretty contrived and a broad reach for the pop sound and just doesnt really fit the band.
this review is crap, i've listened to the entire cd and think it's classic HIM, sounds very similar to razorblade romance and dark light, has an 80's feel, i really think it's probably my favorite HIM cd yet, i guess the critics just don't understand the band,i would strongly recommend getting this cd, it's truely amazing and will probably be one of the best rock cd's of the year, listen to the fan's comments not the reviews!
well said. they're not even the least bit off their game.
I actually think that if they would have changed some of the musical keys they played in (I think it's all in B-Major) then it would have sounded a little more diverse.
Well for starters, its not all played in B Major and if you go back and listen to HIM's albums one by one you will see that every album sounds different. Sure, some songs may sound the same but HIM have never been a band to release a album that sounds like a past one. This is a reason why I love this band, the fact that no matter what they release itwill always be a breath of fresh air. Dark Light? I don't get how it was abit poppy, sure its not Greatest love songs but then again what is? If it wasn't for all these music magazines shoving Ville in your face like we are all teenage girls then maybe HIM would get more respect for their musicality. Still, this album is another amazing release from a band that is still growing and expanding their sound. Maybe next album will be a rip off of Venus Doom and Greatest Love Songs like some people expect but I hope they just keep expanding their sound.
I'm sorry to say this, but this album is the worst HIM have produced to date. I've been a fan since "Greatest Lovesongs" and this is just...horrid. I can understand their urge to sound poppier in order to break into the US market, but this album undermines their artistic credibility in my eyes. Venus Doom was a much superior effort, albeit weak compared to Razorblade Romance or Greatest Lovesongs.
Yes it's more poppy.... But not like most bands today to be honest this has more in common with 80's pop then it does today. Plus really they haven't changed much other then adding more Major keys in there to brighten their sound otherwise it's the same band doing the same damn thing...
I'm sorry to say this, but this album is the worst HIM have produced to date. I've been a fan since "Greatest Lovesongs" and this is just...horrid. I can understand their urge to sound poppier in order to break into the US market, but this album undermines their artistic credibility in my eyes. Venus Doom was a much superior effort, albeit weak compared to Razorblade Romance or Greatest Lovesongs.
Yeah i totally agree, this album makes them sound gay...
I love this record, again Valo has tweaked the HIM formula to offer something a bit different from the previous albums, but keeping within the same lyrical themes. Which is fine by me. Yeah it's poppy, but then so are some of their other albums. Venus Doom was a bit clunky, drawn-out and there was a lack of a decent melody at times, but Screamworks has a lot of ear candy. I think it's a really decent record and probably my second favourite HIM album behind Love Metal.
I think that what makes this album stand out from previous albums is Ville's direct incorporation of his literary and historical readings into his lyrics. It seems like most of the songs on this album contain references. For example, a Catherine Wheel was a brutal torture device used in the middle ages. The only other band I can think of that does this is kind of referencing is Cradle of Filth, but that's done quite extensively in every COF song probably because Dani Filth has two masters in English literature. Sorry, I digress. Anyway, I think that making these references is something Ville Valo has aimed to do for a very long time. If you've heard their demo CD (I think it's titled "This Is Only The Beginning") you would know that their earliest songs contain references to HP Lovecraft and they have a song titled Borellus. References to literature seem to occur less frequently in their other albums than in Screamworks.
I think that what makes this album stand out from previous albums is Ville's direct incorporation of his literary and historical readings into his lyrics. It seems like most of the songs on this album contain references. For example, a Catherine Wheel was a brutal torture device used in the middle ages. The only other band I can think of that does this is kind of referencing is Cradle of Filth, but that's done quite extensively in every COF song probably because Dani Filth has two masters in English literature. Sorry, I digress. Anyway, I think that making these references is something Ville Valo has aimed to do for a very long time. If you've heard their demo CD (I think it's titled "This Is Only The Beginning") you would know that their earliest songs contain references to HP Lovecraft and they have a song titled Borellus. References to literature seem to occur less frequently in their other albums than in Screamworks.
Quite literally the entire Venus Doom record was a reference to Dante.
I hated this album. Then I saw them live last night and I must say, after hearing about 5 tracks live, its growing on me. I don't really know why, but its growing on me.
Anyway, it beats the hell out of Dark Light IMO, and Venus Doom, though a good album, sounded forced.
Although a step away from every other album of HIM's, there are some really great tracks on it. I hated it at first, but keep listening because I reckon a few really shine - Scared to Death, Love the Hardest Way, Katherine Wheel, In The Arms of Rain and Ode to Solitude are the best tracks on the record IMO. There's no Greatest Love Songs or Razorblade Romance on here, it truly is a follow up on their two most recent albums - moving towards more of an alt. rock or even pop-punk sound with metal influences (blast-beats on at least one song, some serious down-tuning on a few songs, and Valo showing off his "screechy-baby" voice which I haven't heard seen a mainstream record for a long time).
"Let's fall apart together now..." in "In Venere Veritas" is most certainly the greatest opening for an album that I've ever heard. Apart from that, I really enjoy Screamworks. Usually I only listen to HIM when I'm down, but Screamworks keeps playing and playing and playing and ... you know what I mean.
In terms of lyrics I personally have the feeling that this is the best I've heard from HIM thus far. And I absolutely dig "Acoustic Funeral" (:
HIM has been my favorite band for 5 years. I bought this album the day it came out and honestly, I really like it. My favorites are Dark Light and Razorblade Romance and Screamworks is nothing compared to those, but it's still good. It's just too poppy. I like the ld sound much better. I can understand wanting to experiment and trying to have a larger audience due to it, but come on. HIM got the vast majority of their fans from the sound of Razorblade Roamnce, Deep Shadows, Love Metal, and of course Dark Light. Venus Doom was good too, it just wasn't HIM. I mean, I listen to more death metal and "deathcore" as it's now called than anything so I'm all about heavy music, but Venus Doom just wasn't HIM. It seems like now they're either too heavy, or too poppy to be HIM. I want more Killing Lonliness, Death's In Love With Us, Right Here In My Arms, and Heartache Every Moment typed stuff. THAT is HIM's real sound.
However, I do still really like Screamworks. There isn't a song on there I don't like. "Disarm Me With Your Lonliness", "Katherine Wheel", and "In Venere Veritas" are my favorites but all of them are good. It's just not traditional HIM. Greatest band of all time though. By far.
I've been a fan of HIM for a long time now. This album came as a shock to me. I found it horrible. A mix of Jonas Brothers-like music with lyrics that resemble those of an emo band of 16 years old kids. I find it to be far off from the usual HIM sound and the lyrics are at some point just ridiculous. I sure hope that their next album will not resemble the least bit this one.
The opening still makes me shiver, that teen boy band sound of Ville saying "let's fall apart together now" is terrible. I enjoyed the previous albums very much and pretty much all of their songs, especially from their first three albums, but this time i wasn't even able to stand through all of the songs from one end to the other.
Looking forward to a future much better album!
this album in my opinion is stricly for those who listen to HIM alot. if ur new to this band start off with dark light or Love Metal. then move to this one. album couldve been better but o well gotta love Valo
I loved this album...so many critics, but I doubt anyone on here could produce an album that flows and lyrics that actually have meaning other than "I'm going to kill you" or "I hate you". I mean, yeah HIM has toned down a bit from what they used to do, but from what I skimmed through no one even mentioned "Like St. Valentine" which is pretty heavy for HIM standards and I crank that song to 11 all the time! And for those saying this "Isn't HIM's real sound" what the hell are you talking about?!?!?! HIM wrote it, recorded it, and play it live, how real do you want it to be? I hate when people say that "Well the band's 'real' sound is this or that"...your argument is bland and confusing and makes no sense unless someone else wrote the material for them!
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