The Finnish rock group HIM has announced the band will be no more after 26 years, but not without a farewell tour for fans.
Formed in 1991, singer Ville Valo, guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindstrom and bassist Mikko "Mige" Paananen, are calling it quits after more than two decades as a band. Their redefining genre "Love Metal," also the name of their fourth album, skyrocketed the band to international success, being the first Finnish artists to go gold in the U.S.
A statement by singer Valo was released earlier this week announcing the band's end.
“After a quarter of a century of Love and Metal intertwined we sincerely feel HIM has run its unnatural course and adieus must be said in order to make way for sights, scents and sounds yet unexplored," he said. "We completed the pattern, solved the puzzle and turned the key. Thank you.”
The quintet has announced that the farewell tour that will span 35 shows in 14 countries. The initial tour schedule has been released, but more dates will be added as they have hinted at a North American tour on the horizon.
Bassist Pannanen had some words for HIM fans as well, “At the end of 2017 we will be released into the wild. Before this event of great transformation we would love to offer you one last chance to experience our live performances in His Majesty’s service. It shall not be a weepfest but a celebration of love metal in all its lovecraftian glory! See you there!”
Below are the current tour dates for Europe. More dates will soon be added. According to Loudwire, ticket sales will begin on March 8.
6/14 — Barcelona, Spain — RAZZMATAZZ
6/15 — Madrid, Spain — LA RIVIERA
6/16 — Santander, Spain — SALA ESCENRIO
6/17 — Porto, Portugal — HARD CLUB
7/1 — Helsinki, Finland — TUSKA FESTIVAL
7/13 — Tuuri, Finland — MILJOONAROCK
11/24 — St. Petersburg, Russia — DK LENSOVETA
11/25 — St. Petersburg, Russia –DK LENSOVETA
11/26 — Moscow, Russia — CLUB STADIUM LIVE
11/28 — Warsaw, Poland — STODOLA
11/29 — Hamburg, Germany — DOCKS
12/1 — Berlin, Germany — COLUMBIAHALLE
12/2 — Prague, Czech Republic — FORUM KARLIN
12/4 — Leipzig, Germany — HAUS AUENSEE
12/5 — Munchen, Germany — TONHALLE
12/6 — Zurich, Switzerland — X-TRA
12/7 — Milan, Italy — ALCATRAZ
12/8 — Koln, Germany — PALLADIUM
12/9 — Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg — ROCKHAL
12/11 — Amsterdam, Holland — PARADISO
12/12 — Tilburg, Holland — 013
12/14 — Glasgow, Scotland — BARROWLAND
12/15 — Nottingham, England — ROCK CITY
12/16 — Manchester, England — ACADEMY
12/17 — London, England — ROUNDHOUSE