"There’s Beauty in the Fact We Didn’t Strangle Each Other at the End." Ville Valo Would Love to Reunite Goth Metal Icons HIM

"There’s Beauty in the Fact We Didn’t Strangle Each Other at the End." Ville Valo Would Love to Reunite Goth Metal Icons HIM

Prog (Louder)
Prog (Louder)Apr 14, 2026

Why It Matters

A HIM reunion would revitalize a seminal goth‑metal brand, driving streaming, live‑event demand, and cross‑generational fan engagement. It also signals how legacy acts can leverage nostalgia while supporting new creative output.

Key Takeaways

  • HIM sold over 1 million albums worldwide, achieving multiple platinum certifications.
  • Band’s 2017 farewell tour ended with a sold‑out Helsinki show.
  • Valo’s 2023 solo album Neon Noir topped Finnish charts, sparking renewed interest.
  • Potential reunion could boost streaming numbers and festival bookings across Europe.

Pulse Analysis

The prospect of HIM reuniting taps into a broader trend of legacy rock acts capitalizing on nostalgia-driven revenue streams. While the band’s 2017 farewell was framed as a definitive end, their catalog continues to generate robust streaming figures, especially in Europe’s German‑speaking markets where *Razorblade Romance* still charts. A reunion would not only rekindle fan enthusiasm but also provide promoters with a high‑profile draw for summer festivals, potentially increasing ticket sales and ancillary merchandise revenue.

Ville Valo’s solo venture under the moniker VV, highlighted by the 2023 album *Neon Noir*, demonstrates his ability to sustain relevance beyond HIM’s brand. The album’s chart‑topping performance in Finland and subsequent tour, culminating in a Royal Albert Hall set, illustrate a successful transition that keeps his artistic identity in the public eye. Valo’s comments about crafting new material with a “dark‑romantic vibe” suggest a strategic alignment with HIM’s aesthetic, positioning any future output to resonate with both long‑time followers and newer listeners discovering the genre.

From an industry perspective, a HIM reunion could serve as a catalyst for renewed interest in the goth‑metal subgenre, prompting record labels to re‑issue remastered editions and encouraging streaming platforms to feature curated playlists. Moreover, the band’s established network of European festival slots offers a ready-made circuit for live performances, which could translate into significant ancillary income. In sum, the convergence of fan nostalgia, Valo’s ongoing creative momentum, and the commercial viability of legacy acts makes a HIM comeback a compelling prospect for stakeholders across the music ecosystem.

"There’s beauty in the fact we didn’t strangle each other at the end." Ville Valo would love to reunite goth metal icons HIM

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