Hailing from
Helsinki
, Finland and crafting a mix of metal, goth and hard rock they called "love metal," H.I.M. -- known early on as His Infernal Majesty -- was founded in 1991 by vocalist Ville Valo, guitarist Mikko "Linde" Lindström, and bassist Mikko "Migé" Paananen.
HIM's genre is debated in some circles; on their album Deep Shadows & Brilliant Highlights, it says their genre is "
alternative
," but their musical style is also often referred to as "
love metal
" by Valo and by the group's fans. Valo has stated that the band started as a "Black Sabbath tribute band of sorts", Some of their biggest influences include The Doors, The Stooges, Black Sabbath, Type O Negative, The Sisters of Mercy, Fields of the Nephilim, Iron Maiden and Depeche Mode.
In addition to
"love metal"
, other self-described terms applied to the band by its members as well as journalists include "Goth 'n roll" and "Scandinavian blues"
