Released 29 years ago this November
Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666
HIM · 1997
50 min · 11 tracks · alternative rock
A haunting blend of gothic melodies and heavy riffs that explore love, loss, and the supernatural.
Top tracks — play these first
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Your Sweet Six Six Six Start here — This track exemplifies HIM's signature sound, combining catchy hooks with darkly romantic lyrics, setting the tone for the entire album.
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Wicked Game — A cover of Chris Isaak’s classic, this version infuses a haunting atmosphere that showcases Ville Valo's vocal range and emotional depth.
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When Love and Death Embrace — This song encapsulates the thematic heart of the album, exploring the intertwining of love and mortality with lush instrumentals and poignant lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively merges gothic rock with romantic themes, establishing a distinct sound within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief instrumental intro that sets a dark, atmospheric tone before transitioning into the first full track.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral elements, adding depth to the arrangements and enhancing the gothic aesthetic.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gothic romance in every track
- wave-like emotional peaks and valleys
- haunting melodies for reflective moments
- darkly atmospheric late-night listening
- intimate storytelling through music
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat and cheerful sounds
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This debut album established HIM's reputation and introduced 'love metal' to a wider audience.
- Themes
- gothic romance· love and mortality· darkly romantic atmosphere
- Career context
- Upon its release in 1997, Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 was HIM's debut album, introducing their unique blend of gothic rock and metal to a wider audience. This marked the beginning of their rise in both Finland and internationally, paving the way for subsequent releases that solidified their cult following.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Type O Negative· The 69 Eyes· Lacuna Coil
Tracklist
- 1 For You (intro) 4:00
- 2 Your Sweet Six Six Six Start here 4:11
- 3 Wicked Game 3:54
- 4 The Heartless 4:02
- 5 Our Diabolikal Rapture 5:20
- 6 It’s All Tears (Drown in This Love) 3:43
- 7 When Love and Death Embrace 6:08
- 8 The Beginning of the End 4:07
- 9 (Don’t Fear) The Reaper 6:30
- 65 [silence] 0:13
- 66 [untitled] 7:51
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Floodland
The Sisters of Mercy
Explores similar themes of dark romance with a haunting soundscape and gothic overtones.
October Rust
Type O Negative
Shares a lush, melancholic atmosphere with gothic melodies and themes of love and loss.
Comalies
Lacuna Coil
Combines ethereal vocals and heavy instrumentals to create a darkly romantic, atmospheric experience.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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