I Take It All Back... (Tears On Tape)

Everyone loves music. If you play an instrument, write music or sing, then you're spurred on by passion. However, if like me, you've not a note in your head, don't even know how to hold a guitar, much less tickle the ivories, then you're probably an appreciator of those who can create.

At the age of 16 or 17, I believed that the best band to ever grace the world was HIM, a Finnish band who created a new genre in the early-to-mid 90's called "Love Metal". I still love HIM, they have a special place in my heart, they have a place on my body, but its different now. I needed them at that point in my life. They came into my life at the opportune moment, and they made everything better. When I listen to songs like "Kiss Of Dawn", which was one of my favorite tracks from the first album I ever bought (Venus Doom), I still remember the sunny days where I lay out in my garden and just listened.

Blinded I am
And so are you
By shedding tears
Confusion that separates us two
We hold dear

Just look into my eyes
Kiss our fears goodbye

I'm reaching for your shadow
Drowning in the kiss of dawn
Touching the pain that you left me with
At the kiss of dawn

I'm tired of the games
I'm playing with you
When you're not here
Death frees from the fear of dying
It's true, have no fear

Let me look into your eyes
And see death pass us by

I'm reaching for your shadow
Drowning in the kiss of dawn
Touching the pain you left me with
At the kiss of dawn

I'm reaching for your shadow
Drowning in the kiss of dawn
Touching the pain that you left me with
At the kiss of dawn

I'm reaching for your shadow  

Drowning in the kiss of dawn

They are not exactly what any normal person would call cheery lyrics, but to me they are evocative of good memories. They made me feel something.

So why the long rambley post about Venus Doom you ask? Because at the end of April, HIM released their newest offering, Tears On Tape. And I want to love it. I want to badly to love it. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to feel something akin to what VD made me feel, that heavy, weight-on-your-chest sensation that stops you breathing, but in a good way!

But... Quite frankly, I don't feel it from this album.

Yes, there are good tracks, but on the whole, as an entire entity? Tears on Tape doesn't even wind me, much less stop me breathing.

I love HIM, I love everything about them, but now, at the age of 21, 5 years after I discovered them? Its just different. Its love that comes from years of respect and admiration...