HIM Screamworks: Love In Theory and Practice, Chapter 1-13

HIM's (His Infernal Majesty) new album 'Screamworks: Love In Theory and Practice, Chapter 1/13' is a lot of things in one while still striking that note that seems to resonate in all of us the fact that it is wholly HIM.

Let's walk through the album, shall we?

Staring off with In Venere Veritas: This song is actually rather pop/rock while still holding onto that Gothic chord. A catchy chorus, nice verses and some guitar riffs that reek of HIM. Honestly, it isn't my favorite track on the album but it's a worthy track and not something I'm going to by pass while listening to the album.

Scared To Death: Starting off gently and easing you into a great, soft opening verse that later opens up into a catchy chorus, I really enjoy this song, it's one of my favorite on the album.

Third in line Heartkiller: This is another rather pop/rock song thanks to the chorus, but don't let that turn you off, it also holds some strong vocals that saves it from completely falling into a pop/rock category. (I say "Don't let that turn you off" for those of you hoping to have a totally alternative album.)

Dying Song: Sweetly disturbing is probably a good way to describe how Ville Valo (vocalist) delivers the lyrics to this track. It also holds a humble stance on poetry - as much of HIM's material does - I think it's a refreshing notion.

Moving on to Disarm Me (With Your Loneliness): Opening with an obvious signature achieved by the band's years in the studio and out on tour, and the opening line "The promise of Heaven pushed us right back to Hell..." sung like a melancholic lullaby to a sick child perhaps. This is probably my favorite song on the entire album.

Love The Hardest Way: Again, so obviously HIM, it starts out with a enthusiastically sung opening line leading us into a equally enthusiastic chorus. The enthusiasm is ironic to the song given the nature of the lyrics, I count that as a plus.

Katherine Wheel: The seventh track on the thirteen track album is, to me, nondescript; by that I mean it doesn't stand out, this isn't to say it is a sore point of the album, let's leave it as a 'blender' of sorts. I like it, nevertheless and it is actually a good song.

In The Arms Of Rain: To me it starts out with a marimba riff (I think) that sounds like it could belong in Mario Brothers, this amused me a little but don't take it lightly because it truly is a nice song.

Ode To Solitude: This actually starts out with a somewhat impressive riff, not to say the others are disappointing - this one sticks out a bit though. It's catchy and rhythmic, the way he breaks up the chorus is fun and it's a song you could probably get stuck in your head without wholly realizing it.

Now at Shatter Me With Hope: Now before I get into the song I want to point out the irony in the title itself. I actually think that the references in this song are rather clever, if only quietly so I think it's a little refreshing to have modern music that isn't completely mindless like so much of it can be these days.

At track eleven we are met with Acoustic Funeral (For Love In Limbo): This is the slow, baritone song for the album, I love the idea of an 'acoustic funeral' and for the occasion of love hanging in limbo? I think it's actually a depressingly pleasant concept. The chorus is visually inspiring, smooth, concise and a all around win.

Like St. Valentine: Starting with a metal style scream, a nice guitar riff and then falling into a higher toned vocal display with a, to me, incredibly catchy chorus. If the previous tracks didn't get you singing along this song definitely will.

And last but not least, lucky number thirteen; The Foreboding Sense Of Impending Happiness: Again with the ironic title. It's a quiet song, a calm song even, nothing that's making your blood rush, sometimes a calm final track is the perfect way to end an album.

An over all review of the album is that it is a poetic masterpiece, so poetic that you can read the lyrics spoken word and it would sing.

The sound of each song is deceivingly innocent, as the content of each song is poetically dangerous. 'Sceamworks: Love In Theory And Practice' is practically a concept album on what they perhaps perceive love to be, this changes from person to person and I think the macabre twist in this albums viewpoint is an interesting one. Over all? Worth the money it takes to get your hands on it.

Another hit from Finland's favorite band: His Infernal Majesty! They should be proud.