Recently, the band’s latest release Tears On Tape had a strong debut at #15 in the U.S., via Razor & Tie, and #2 in Germany and Finland via Universal. Strong sales have been steady across the European continent.  The album is available here: http://bit.ly/HIMiTunes.

The accompanying clip for the lead single “All Lips Go Blue” can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5G0-nJtnjE

Formed in 1992 by vocalist Ville Valo, guitarist Mikko “Linde” Lindström, and bassist Mikko “Migé” Paananen, HIM is the first Finnish band to achieve platinum sales in the U.S.  Their success has been driven by a following that Revolver Magazine acknowledged at the 2013 Golden Gold Awards as “Most Dedicated Fans,” beating out A Day to Remember, Rammstein and others.  HIM’s current lineup is Valo (Vocals), Linde (Guitars), Migé (Bass), Burton (Keyboards), and Gas (Drums).

The band’s eighth album, Tears On Tape was recorded in their native Finland at Helsinki’s Finnvox Studios, the site of some of their seminal work including their debut Greatest Love Songs Vol. 666 and 2003’s Love Metal., with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa.  The album was mixed by long-time collaborator Tim Palmer (U2, Ozzy Osbourne, Pearl Jam).  Always evolving, Valo mined inspiration from doo-wop of the ’50s and the ’60s, examining personal relationships, and pondering existential questions. He recently shared, “The last album I was really in my head. This time, I was constantly looking around me. I wanted this to be super simple. I kept coming back to imagery and harmonies fifties artists like The Ronettes or Roy Orbison would use. I wanted to describe humongous moments of emotional revelation as simply as possible.”

Valo has always been an artist who expresses himself with lyrics that are indelible soundtracks to their lives for many.  On the subject of personal inspiration in respect to the current release, he offers, “Love is my world.  I’m dependent on relationships, emotions, and the fact of having somebody I care for and would die for. I’d say that everybody is. Most of the lyrics are based on me describing my favorite songs growing up. Tears On Tape are the tears my favorite artists shed on tape. They created the musical milestones in my life. It’s a love song for music. If life is a vinyl record and somebody lifts the needle, it ends. Like a record, life rotates into different moods and places. It’s the sonic companion from birth until death.”

Monster Energy’s Rock Allegiance Tour will also feature Volbeat, All The Remains, and Airbourne.  Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, Right Arm Entertainment and Monster Energy, the travelling festival brings American and Canadian audiences a decidedly international feel embodying the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll without borders.  Upcoming appearances in the U.S. and Canada include:

8/23     St. Paul, MN                                                   The Myth

8/24     Twin Lakes, WI                                              WIIL Show @ Shadow Hill Ranch

8/25     Cincinnati, OH                                                US Bank Arena

8/26     Toronto, ONT                                                The Sound Academy

8/28     Detroit, MI                                                      Freedom Hill

8/29     Bloomington, IL                                              US Cellular Coliseum

8/30     Kansas City, MO                                            Midland Theatre

8/31     Tulsa, OK                                                       Convention Center Arena

9/02     Englewood, CO                                               KBPI’s Lo Cura Fest – Fiddler’s Green

9/03     Salt Lake City, UT                                          Maverick Centre

9/04     Las Vegas, NV                                                The Joint

9/06     Seattle, WA                                                     KISW Pain in the Grass @ The Gorge

9/08     Abbotsford, BC                                              Sports & Entertainment Arena

9/09     Calgary, AB                                                    Big 4

9/10     Edmonton, AB                                                Rexall Place

9/13     Phoenix, AZ                                                    KUPD Desert Uprising

9.14     Chula Vista, CA                                              Sleep Train Amph

9/15     Sacramento, CA                                              Aftershock Festival  @ Discovery Park

9/16     Los Angeles, CA                                             Palladium

9/18     Dallas, TX                                                      Verizon Theatre @ Grand Prairie

9/19     Houston, TX                                                  Bayou Music Center

9/21     Biloxi, MS                                                       WCPR Fest @ Jones Park

9/22     Atlanta, GA                                                    Tabernacle

9/23     Greensboro, NC                                              Greensboro Coliseum

9/25     Sayreville, NJ                                                  Starland Ballroom

9/26     Philadelphia, PA                                             Skyline Stage @ The Mann

9/27     Lowell, MA                                                    Tsongas Arena

9/28     Brooklyn, NY                                                 Brooklyn Waterfront