Metal Hammer 413

“Him was and is my life.” In the new issue of Metal Hammer, Ville Valo speaks exclusively to Metal Hammer about the history of Him. It’s been 30 years since they released their debut EP, 666 Ways To Love: Prologue, and started the journey that saw them crowned kings of 21st century goth metal. From their beginnings in Helsinki, to topping the charts, to being attacked by a fan with scissors, to their bittersweet goodbye tour – it’s all here. Although Ville has since embarked on a solo career under the name VV, the Him years remain special to him, and he’s open to a reunion. We also count down the 25 greatest goth metal albums of all time, showcasing the records that brought darkness to metal – including the one and only Type O Negative. Elsewhere in the magazine, as Iron Maiden release their new Burning Ambition documentary, we meet the diehard fans whose lives have been changed by ’Arry and co. From the owner of the world’s largest certified collection of memorabilia, to an OG fan who saw their first-ever gig, to… Hollywood star Javier Bardem?! We also look back at the life and times of the late Tomas Lindberg, the man who helped shape the Gothenburg sound, as At The Gates take us inside his emotional final album. Babymetal tell us how they took the world by storm with Gimme Chocolate!!, Tailgunner reveal why they’re here to party like it’s 1985, and Black Veil Brides man Andy Biersack takes on your tough questions – while admitting he was once beaten up for dressing as Batman. Lowen explain why they’re getting political, returning Exodus frontman Rob Dukes imparts his life lessons about riots and welding, and we meet Native James: the UK rapper giving nu metal a grimy makeover. Plus, we uncover the story of Dymna Lotva. Forced to feel their homeland of Belarus, only to arrive in Ukraine and face a Russian invasion, are they the unluckiest band in metal? All this, along with Powerwolf, The Bronx, Foo Fighters, Dimmu Borgir, Lovebites, Venom, Alter Bridge, Sikth, Carpenter Brut, Eihwar, Kreator and much, much more. Only in the new issue of Metal Hammer, on sale now. Order it online and have it delivered straight to your door.