HIM – Razorblade Romance (2000): Album Review, Tracklist, Credits, Legacy & Trivia
Released in January 2000, Razorblade Romance is the second studio album by Finnish gothic rock band HIM. It marked a major turning point in the band’s career by pushing them from cult Finnish act into international visibility, blending gothic rock, heavy riffs, melancholic lyricism, and romantic themes — a sound the band famously dubbed love metal.
The album’s polished production, emotional songwriting, and powerful hooks helped define HIM’s identity and became the foundation for their later global success.
🎵 Album Overview
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Artist: HIM
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Album: Razorblade Romance
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Release Date: 24 January 2000 (international) / late 1999 (Finland)
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Genre: Gothic Rock / Love Metal / Hard Rock
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Label: BMG
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Producer: John Fryer
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Recorded: 1999 at Rockfield Studios, Wales
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Length: ~42:40
Razorblade Romance introduced a sleeker, more melodic production compared to the band’s debut and showcased HIM’s evolving sound with deeper atmospheric elements and memorable choruses.
📜 Tracklist (Standard Edition)
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I Love You (Prelude to Tragedy)
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Poison Girl
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Join Me in Death
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Right Here in My Arms
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Gone with the Sin
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Razorblade Kiss
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Bury Me Deep Inside Your Heart
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Heaven Tonight
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Death Is in Love with Us
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Resurrection
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One Last Time
Some versions include bonus tracks such as Sigillum Diaboli and The 9th Circle (OLT).
🎙️ Album Credits
Band Members
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Ville Valo – Lead Vocals
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Mikko “Linde” Lindström – Guitar
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Mikko “Mige” Paananen – Bass
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Mika “Gas Lipstick” Karppinen – Drums (first album featuring him)
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Jussi‑Mikko “Juska” Salminen – Keyboards (only album featuring him)
Production
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Produced by: John Fryer (replacing initial sessions with Hiili Hiilesmaa)
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Recording Studios: Rockfield Studios, Wales (sessions relocated for a more expansive sound)
The band’s collaboration with Fryer brought a polished, melodic edge to the album, contrasting with the rawer sound of their debut.
📈 Commercial Success & Awards
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Razorblade Romance charted in six countries, peaking at #1 in Finland, Germany & Austria.
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The album was certified double platinum in Finland, triple gold in Germany, and gold in Austria.
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It charted on the US Billboard Heatseekers in 2004, becoming HIM’s first showing in the US market.
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At the 2000 Emma Awards (Finland), HIM won Album of the Year and Band of the Year for Razorblade Romance.
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Singles from the album, especially “Join Me in Death”, also garnered international attention, with the track becoming a #1 hit in Finland and Germany and featuring on The Thirteenth Floor film soundtrack.
🔥 Legacy & Impact
Razorblade Romance is widely considered HIM’s breakthrough album, establishing them as a leading force in gothic‑influenced rock and shaping the love metal genre. Its blend of romantic themes, goth‑tinged moodiness, and soaring vocal melodies helped it resonate with wide audiences — especially in Europe — and paved the way for their later mainstream successes.
The album also marked a high point in HIM’s early career, combining powerful emotional depth with mass appeal. Even years later, its tracks remain fan favorites and staples in their live sets.
💡 Fun Facts & Trivia
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🎸 Join Me in Death became HIM’s signature single, with controversy surrounding its theme sparking discussion and contributing to its notoriety.
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🎬 The song “Join Me in Death” was featured on the soundtrack of the sci‑fi film The Thirteenth Floor, exposing HIM to a global audience beyond metal circles.
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🥁 Razorblade Romance was the first HIM album to feature drummer Gas Lipstick and the only to feature keyboardist Juska during this era.
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🎤 The UK/US versions of the album sometimes include alternate tracks and bonus songs not present on the original Finnish/European versions.
📝 Summary
HIM – Razorblade Romance (2000) stands as a classically influential record in the band’s discography and in turn‑of‑the‑millennium gothic‑rock history. Its blend of moody atmosphere, emotional intensity, melodic songwriting, and polished production made it a milestone album that continues to define HIM’s legacy in rock music.
