Dark Light
by H.I.M.
  • Record Label: Sire
  • Release Date: Sep 27, 2005
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 92 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 73 out of 92
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 92
  3. Negative: 17 out of 92

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  1. VenusDoom
    Apr 1, 2009
    10
    This album blew me away!
  2. joeyB
    Sep 5, 2007
    8
    this is a really great album....and the best thing about it is that it doesn't sound like all the other stuff thats out there....oh and for kicker tom...this music isn't emo....its goth rock!
  3. olab.
    Jun 27, 2007
    10
    perfect! popish' yeah... but for what it is.. it's perfect
  4. MYGUITAR
    Jun 13, 2007
    8
    This is overall a good, solid album with no
  5. TonyB
    Mar 12, 2007
    9
    This album is amazing!! Great vocals, heavy music, its romantic and violent all in one...HIM are the greatest rock band ever@!!!
  6. KickerTom
    Feb 14, 2007
    1
    I gave them a 1 b/c I feel sorry for them. Emo crap.
  7. namesareoverrated
    Jan 11, 2007
    9
    The only thing keeping me from giving Dark Light a ten is because people glorify "Wings of a Butterfly" to high heavens and beyond. Seriously, I can't see how anybody can say it's the best song on the CD, because I'd go so far as to say "Under the Rose" is the greatest song ever writtern. Anyone want to challenge me? You're welcome to it, but don't expect a The only thing keeping me from giving Dark Light a ten is because people glorify "Wings of a Butterfly" to high heavens and beyond. Seriously, I can't see how anybody can say it's the best song on the CD, because I'd go so far as to say "Under the Rose" is the greatest song ever writtern. Anyone want to challenge me? You're welcome to it, but don't expect a response. On the other hand, the only thing keeping me from dropping it lower to an eight is the fact that it doesn't feature Villie Valo on the cover. Those covers kind of disturb me... Still, my favorite album from a favorite band. Long live His Infernal Majesty.… Expand
  8. chipa
    Nov 18, 2006
    10
    It's about time a band conveyed itself outside the ideals of such a compromising society. This is a clear example, existence of mere talent at it's best. And I happy to realize that they are the first Finnish band ever to go gold in the U.S.. Well, it goes to show that critiques don't know squat when it comes to music; for bellowing this autominous sound.
  9. Amanda
    Nov 15, 2006
    7
    I gave this album an 7 for the simple reason because, it just wasn't what I or other people were used to (NOT meaning people i haven't met, just people I know who like H.I.M). I'm not saying that I didn't like their cd, it's just not what I was expecting...
  10. EitherOr
    Nov 4, 2006
    2
    On the bright side, these are their best lyrics to date. On the realistic side, the ideas seem recycled (just as they did on previous albums). The lyrics are especially recycled, though slightly more poetic (on the positive side...). Although I doubt any of their fans pay intensely close attention the lyrics all of the time because I'd imagine that they'd get bored with the same On the bright side, these are their best lyrics to date. On the realistic side, the ideas seem recycled (just as they did on previous albums). The lyrics are especially recycled, though slightly more poetic (on the positive side...). Although I doubt any of their fans pay intensely close attention the lyrics all of the time because I'd imagine that they'd get bored with the same formulas by now. Which brings me to another point, it seems that they have a tremendous ability of masking their lackluster lyrics with overproduction and over-emotional singing. I feel that nothing has changed. I thought that H.I.M. might have originally had some potential, but they continue in the same direction. Their guitarist relies on whatever effect or amount of distortion that he is using (maybe throwing in a few pull offs or hammer ons here and there but nevertheless uncompelling) and the singer has a profound way of making the songs sound way more important than they really are. Like I said before, when it comes down to it, the songs themselves rely on overproduction. And I will go as far as to say that most of these comments apply to all of their albums, although the first and the second could have been considered original for those reasons. I'd even like to extend this overall judgement of boring consistency to the cover of the album! This is undoubtedly nothing less than a marketing ploy. They might as well put Bam Margera's face on the cover too, and maybe with a little sticker proclaiming "songs featured on Viva La Bam!!!!" Alright, I feel that I'm beginning to express my true feelings on this album in an unrestrained manner so I will revert back to my original premise. If you love H.I.M.'s (or should I say H.I.S.) sound so much that you want to continue on the same path forever, then this album is for you (and likely the next one and the next one). However, if you don't, try playing the old albums backwards. The lyrics mostly suck, so it won't be hard giving those up, and the distortion/double bass will sound pretty sweet going backwards... way more original too. Anyway, I give T.H.E.M. a 2 for effort, because the overall tone of their songs make it sound like they really really really tried.… Expand
  11. MihaiV
    Nov 1, 2006
    8
    I'm surprised at how low the ratings are. This is a good album.
  12. johnw
    Oct 15, 2006
    10
    this is not HIMs best album but still is great it doesnt have as much rock as im used to with HIM but still has the same deep meaning lyrics
  13. Jacob...
    Oct 1, 2006
    10
    Not HIM's best CD. it is filled with 2 of there best singles. "Join me" is still (to me) there best work. The United States just dosnt like HIM because it was never shown to us. Now i hope a new Generation of people will come to love it like I do.
  14. iowahimlover
    Sep 30, 2006
    10
    HIM is wonderful. Why is it that if the album isn't ear shattering or has endless drum and guitar rifts its no good. If people just took the time to LISTEN with their ears and heart they would see and HEAR the beauty in the music. At the very minimum, you can actually understand what is being said. Unlike some other metal bands. The average person feels like they are being blasted by HIM is wonderful. Why is it that if the album isn't ear shattering or has endless drum and guitar rifts its no good. If people just took the time to LISTEN with their ears and heart they would see and HEAR the beauty in the music. At the very minimum, you can actually understand what is being said. Unlike some other metal bands. The average person feels like they are being blasted by the noise and undecernable vomit emiiting from the vocalist. If you don't like HIM and their music, just don't listen and quit complaining. Let those of us who enjoy them, ENJOY them, period.… Expand
  15. evildollie
    Aug 29, 2006
    10
    its a good album ok its different from there other ones but it is NOT wimpy.
  16. IvonaZ
    Aug 22, 2006
    10
    my favourite is razorblade romance but i'd give them 10 for each and every one of their albums...i admire ville for the stile he uses while writing songs and i just love his voice...
  17. kristyvampire
    Aug 20, 2006
    10
    I LOVE HIM!!!!!!! THEY F***ING ROCK!! i particularly like this album, not they're best but still sexy and deep. i havbe every album of they'res and I think they're storngest album would be RAZORBLADE ROMANCE. DARK LIGHT is good. I like it. I LOVE VILLE VALO!!!
  18. SusanS
    Aug 18, 2006
    10
    HIM is the best band ever. Villes' vocal is really great. The lyrics is deep & personal. I love this band, still they've changed. I can't say this album is the best (I like RR the most), but I adore their music, for 3,5 years already. Russia loves you, gyus =)
  19. RandyB
    Aug 8, 2006
    2
    I came into this CD with every intention of liking it. I even put it aside and waited to listen to it again after the first time I didn't care for it it just in case my disliking it had something to do with my fluctuating mood. Unfortunately for my precious hard- earned wages, it had nothing to do with my mood. The last time I bought a HIM record, it was the dented but still good I came into this CD with every intention of liking it. I even put it aside and waited to listen to it again after the first time I didn't care for it it just in case my disliking it had something to do with my fluctuating mood. Unfortunately for my precious hard- earned wages, it had nothing to do with my mood. The last time I bought a HIM record, it was the dented but still good RAZORBLADE ROMANCE. It was melodramatic, sure, but it had enough of a punch musically to keep it from being ridiculous, even with the lyrics never venturing far from the sad-in-love-wanting-to-die tree. That kind of thing was HIM's calling card, and I was prepared for that, but it was too much this time. On DARK LIGHT, the lyrics get even more wimp-gothy and cringe worthy (most times all you have to do is look at song titles like "Killing Lonliness" and "Under the Rose" and you get the idea of the depth of the songs), but this time around even the music can't save the disc from taking a crapsmacular divebomb. "Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly" is practically the only track worth salvaging, with licks strong enough to support it's melodrama, with "Vampire Heart" coming in distant second. By the time "Under the Rose" had ended I was already bored and over it. And when "Dark Light" rolled around, any hopes of guitars rescuing this CD went out the window, replaced almost completely with weak string arrangements through the rest of the disc. I'm so thoroughly disappointed with this disc that if HIM ever releases another album, I will wait as long as it takes to borrow the thing from someone else to hear it for fear of wasting more money on something that will only take up space and collect dust.… Expand
  20. MoeE
    Jul 14, 2006
    9
    Great album, and I hate the fact that people vote 0 or 1 because they think they suck, if you listen to the music you might change your mind.
  21. JillP
    Jul 13, 2006
    10
    come into the heartagram
  22. jakec
    Jun 24, 2006
    10
    him are the best band in the world ever
  23. SandyO
    Jun 20, 2006
    10
    really great ablem
  24. ValeryK
    Jun 10, 2006
    7
    I'm HIM's fun, and i know that this album is the worst, cause love metal, the greatest songs, vol 666 and others were better, but this album is acceptable, but it could be better!
  25. MikeJ
    Jun 5, 2006
    0
    I heard my dog toot out better music
  26. TrentonJ
    May 20, 2006
    10
    I've been a HIM fan for almost 2 years now and I must say, this isn't their best cd, but it's better that any other cd from a nother band
  27. AN
    Apr 20, 2006
    10
    The Best!
  28. AmyT.
    Apr 8, 2006
    10
    I agree with Garip S. HIM deserves no less than 10. Or 11.
  29. BrianH
    Mar 27, 2006
    7
    As a fan of the boys of HIM (by the way, they have not used the acronym of His Infernal Majesty since their first show in 1995) for a long time, I think it's fair to say that I know what to look for in a HIM album. In a way, this one is definitely HIM, but that way is mostly in the fact that no two of their albums share much in common concerning sound. While their first and third As a fan of the boys of HIM (by the way, they have not used the acronym of His Infernal Majesty since their first show in 1995) for a long time, I think it's fair to say that I know what to look for in a HIM album. In a way, this one is definitely HIM, but that way is mostly in the fact that no two of their albums share much in common concerning sound. While their first and third albums were more gothic, their second and forth albums metal, and all the b-sides and singles released in between, despite the difference in sounds I believe people will still be caught off-guard by this punk-influenced disc. It's not bad, but it is definitely an acquired taste. When I first heard it, I might have given it a 5/10, but now it's definitely grown on me.… Expand
  30. anthonym
    Mar 13, 2006
    10
    excellent
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Awards & Rankings

50
#50 Most Discussed Album of 2005
89
#89 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 10
  3. Negative: 2 out of 10
  1. Spin
    25
    Listening to this disc sorta gives new meaning to the phrase virgin sacrifice. [Oct 2005, p.142]
  2. Amazon.com
    60
    A solid, if not wholly overwhelming album.
    Read full review
  3. Blender
    60
    It's refreshing to hear a band approach the form's familiar imagery from a place of romance, not cynicism. [Oct 2005, p.138]
See all critic reviews »