H.I.M. have been known for their romantic Metal, even creating their own genre "Love Metal". 22 years after first starting as a band, the Finnish group are still going strong and packing venues. Rock City, Nottingham is the second date on the nine date tour promoting the "Tears On Tape" album.

CASPIAN, the support opening band, was a surprise for everyone. The ambient Hard Rock group was a hit and miss, some loved it but some of the audience hated it. The 45 minute set was heavy, but very plain. A lot of the songs had a very exciting sound and an incredible build up but were all faced with a huge anti-climax. The music was easy to head bang too but just wasn't for the right audience.

H.I.M. opened up with "All Lips Go Blue" from the new album. Not the best choice of opener but gets the crowd clapping. The crowd go wild when the classic tune "Buried Alive By Love" is followed by other favorites such as "Wings Of A Butterfly" and "Right Here In My Arms".
H.I.M.'s cover of Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game" went down well with guitar and bass solo's from Mikko Lindstrom and Mikko Paananen.

Though some sound difficulties at the start of the night, the gig was a success. Ville Valo's voice is like a fine wine and you can only appreciate his voice when the atmosphere is perfect. His Finnish accent is highly noticeable live and it gives a haunting edge. The show closes with "Soul On Fire", "Into The Night" and "The Funeral Of Hearts" with a rich encore of "When Love And Death Embrace".

What makes a good concert is having a mix of songs that makes all of the audience happy and that is what H.I.M. did. They took songs from albums old and new in a well-blended mix.

Setlist

1. Unleash the Red (Intro)
2. All Lips Go Blue
3. Buried Alive By Love
4. Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly
5. Right Here in My Arms
6. The Kiss of Dawn (with extended Guitar & Bass Solo)
7. I Will Be the End of You
8. Join Me in Death
9. Your Sweet Six Six Six
10. Passion's Killing Floor
11. Tears on Tape
12. Wicked Game (Chris Isaak cover) (with W.L.S.T.D main riff with … more)
13. It's All Tears (Drown in This Love) (with Black Sabbath main riff … more)
14. Soul on Fire
15. Into the Night
16. The Funeral of Hearts
17. When Love and Death Embrace
18. Kiss the Void