{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}} {{good article}} {{Infobox album | name = Love Metal | type = Album | artist = HIM | cover = HIM Love Metal.jpg | alt = | released = {{start date|2003|4|11|df=yes}} | recorded = 2002 | venue = | studio = Finnvox Studios in Helsinki | genre = {{hlist|Gothic rock|heavy metal}}<!--the two are sourced as separate per PopMatters and Allmusic respectively; please do not change this unless further sourcing is found --> | length = 52:53 | label = BMG | producer = {{hlist|HIM|Hiili Hiilesmaa}} | prev_title = Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights | prev_year = 2001 | next_title = And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004 | next_year = 2004 | misc = {{Singles | name = Love Metal | type = Studio | single1 = The Funeral of Hearts | single1date = 13 March 2003 | single2 = Buried Alive by Love | single2date = 5 May 2003 | single3 = The Sacrament | single3date = 27 June 2003 }} }}
'''''Love Metal''''' is the fourth studio album by Finnish rock band HIM. Released on 11 April 2003, HIM began recording demos for the album in northern spring 2002, after an exhausting touring cycle for their previous album, which nearly broke the band up. Excited and invigorated by the new material, HIM entered Finnvox Studios in September 2002 with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa, who had previously helmed the group's 1997 debut album. Musically ''Love Metal'' featured a more raw and organic sound, inspired by the band's early influences, which was also seen as a reaction to the difficulties they faced while recording their previous album. Vocalist Ville Valo has since described ''Love Metal'' as the album where HIM found their sound. ''Love Metal'' was also the band's first album to predominantly feature their logo, the Heartagram, on the cover, while the album's title was coined in the mid-nineties as a description for HIM's musical genre.
''Love Metal'' received positive reviews from critics, with many praising the songwriting and calling the album a return to form after ''Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights''. The album charted in eleven countries, reaching number one in Finland and Germany, later going platinum and gold respectively. ''Love Metal'' was also the band's first album to chart in the UK and France at number 55 and 141 respectively. Three singles were released, with "The Funeral of Hearts" reaching number one on the Finnish Singles Chart. Music videos were produced for all three singles, with professional skateboarder and ''Jackass'' member Bam Margera directing two. Following the album's release, HIM toured the US for the first time, with all of the shows being sold out.
==Production== After nearly breaking up following an exhausting supporting tour for their previous album ''Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights'', HIM took a two-month break in early 2002.<ref name="LM2">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F49EDQ-rW1I |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/F49EDQ-rW1I |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title =Ville Valo 2003 Love Metal Interview (2/2) |publisher=YouTube |access-date=6 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> While other members of the band flew on vacation, vocalist Ville Valo stayed behind in Helsinki and began writing new material.<ref name="SynninViemää249">Juho K. Juntunen (2002). ''HIM – Synnin viemää'' p.249. WSOY</ref> When HIM regrouped at the turn of February and March 2002, the band felt re-energized, as well as excited about the new songs Valo had written.<ref name="LM2"/><ref name="SynninViemää249"/> The group soon began recording demos in the spring of 2002, with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa, who had previously produced the band's 1997 debut album.<ref name="SynninViemää257">Juho K. Juntunen (2002). ''HIM – Synnin viemää'' p.257. WSOY</ref> HIM continued to work on new material for approximately six months, before entering Finnvox Studios in September 2002 to record their fourth studio album with Hiilesmaa acting as producer.<ref name="LM2"/> The recording process lasted two months, after which the band flew to Los Angeles for two weeks to mix the album at Studio Scream with Tim Palmer, who had previously worked with Pearl Jam and U2 among others.<ref name="LM2"/> Additional mixing for the tracks "Buried Alive by Love" and "Sweet Pandemonium" was done at Sphere Studios in London, while the album was mastered at Sterling Sound in New York by George Marino.<ref name="SleeveNotes">''Love Metal'' album sleeve notes.</ref>
The artwork for ''Love Metal'' was designed by Valo and Janne Uotila, and marks the first predominant use of the band's logo the heartagram, which was originally designed by Valo on his twentieth birthday in 1996.<ref name="LoudLegacy">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaSOTXJSLYw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/PaSOTXJSLYw |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title= HIM – ''Loud Legacy'' documentary|publisher=YouTube |date=25 February 2015 |access-date=9 June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="SUBTV">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLK_hcaJ9ZI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/eLK_hcaJ9ZI |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title= Ville Valo 2003 interview@subtv |publisher=YouTube |access-date=8 July 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> According to Valo, the inclusion of the heartagram on the cover was done as "a statement of intent [...] musically, visually and ideologically", as well as to "get the symbol across".<ref name="LoudLegacy"/><ref name="MetalHammerPg20">{{cite book|title=Metal Hammer Presents HIM: Tears On Tape|series=Fanpack magazine |page=20|publisher=Metal Hammer }}</ref> The term "love metal" was coined by the band in the late-nineties as way to respond to peoples' difficulty categorizing HIM's music, and was chosen as the title of the album in order to explain to people what the term means, with Valo stating: "When somebody asks 'what is love metal', we can give him or her the album".<ref name="LM1"/>
==Music and lyrics== {{Listen |filename = Buried Alive by Love (sample).ogg |title = "Buried Alive by Love" (2003) |description = "Buried Alive by Love" was one of the first songs written for ''Love Metal'', and displays the more aggressive approach featured on the album. }} The overall sound of ''Love Metal'' was described by Ville Valo as being more "organic" and "dynamic" than some of the band's previous work, whilst at the same time containing elements from all their albums in one.<ref name="LM1">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqZf8bLcrls |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/PqZf8bLcrls |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title =Ville Valo 2003 Love Metal Interview (1/2) |publisher=YouTube |access-date=6 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He also described ''Love Metal'' as a "hats off" to the band's influences, such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Iggy Pop, as well as a reaction to the difficulties they faced during the making of ''Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights''.<ref name="LM1"/><ref name="LoudLegacy"/> He elaborated, stating: "After what we considered a disappointment with ''Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights'', because there were so many chefs in the kitchen, we wanted to be a band [...] that we control what we do, and everybody else can fuck-off."<ref name="LoudLegacy"/> Valo referred to ''Love Metal'' as a "moment of realization" for the band, stating: "This is what we are, and this is what we're going to do".<ref name="MetalHammerPg20"/> He also described the album as the point where the group found "the identity of the band".<ref name="MetalHammerPg20"/>
"Buried Alive by Love" was one of the first songs composed for the album, and opens with a riff inspired by "Search and Destroy" by The Stooges, which Valo had written while on tour for ''Razorblade Romance''.<ref name="LM1"/><ref name="LM2"/> According to Valo, the song was deliberately chosen as the first track of the album to display "that youthful, animalistic energy" that had been "lacking" in some of the band's previous work.<ref name="LM1"/> "The Funeral of Hearts" wasn't originally considered for the album, as it was unfinished when recording began.<ref name="Onyx">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPLNHwQbIuM&t=1073s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/UPLNHwQbIuM |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title =HIM - VILLE VALO unplugged & interview - ONYX.tv Schattenreich 2003 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=6 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The song was added at the last minute after bassist Mikko "Mige" Paananen heard the chorus, demanding it be included on the album.<ref name="Onyx"/> Lyrically "The Funeral of Hearts" talks about "being able to celebrate what you have, even though things might end."<ref name="Onyx"/> Valo described the song as "the most accessible, straight on HIM-tune" on ''Love Metal''.<ref name="Onyx"/> "Beyond Redemption" was inspired by a relationship of a friend of Valo's, and lyrically deals with "people who fall in love, and then they are beyond redemption; there's no turning back".<ref name="Onyx"/> "Sweet Pandemonium" talks about "understanding you've got a problem" and the difficulty to "talk about it", while "Circle of Fear" deals with the inability to help other people "without loving yourself first".<ref name="Tmusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5HwlzqrA08 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/L5HwlzqrA08 |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title =Ville Valo interview & chat at T-Music |publisher=YouTube |access-date=6 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> "The Path" was inspired by the legend of Orpheus, and was included in the end credits of the Finnish film ''Honey Baby'', as was "The Sacrament" in the 2007 anime film ''Highlander: The Search for Vengeance''.<ref name="DVD">{{Cite web | title = Ville Valo interview from ''Digital Versatile Doom'' | website =YouTube | url =https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdRA3bKGImw| access-date = 9 July 2017}}</ref>
==Release and promotion== [[File:Ville Valo by welovethedark.jpg|thumb|right|175px|Ville Valo performing in Norfolk, Virginia, in August 2004]] "The Funeral of Hearts" was released in March 2003 as the first single from ''Love Metal'', charting in five countries, including at number one in Finland and number two in Germany.<ref name="FIN">{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/virallinen-lista/artistit/him|title =HIM Discography|publisher=Musiikkituottajat |access-date=9 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="GER">{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/suche |title=HIM Discography |publisher=Offiziele Deutsche Charts |access-date=8 June 2017 |language=de }}</ref> The song also gave the band their first UK chart position at number fifteen.<ref name="UK">{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/1099/him/ |title=HIM - Chart history|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=19 March 2017}}</ref> A music video by Stefan Lindfors was also filmed in Lapland, which later won "Best Video" at the 2004 Kerrang! Awards.<ref name="KerrangAwards">{{cite news|title=Darkness bask in Kerrang! success|publisher=BBC|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3603382.stm|date=27 August 2004|access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> "The Funeral of Hearts" was also nominated for "Best Single" that year.<ref name="KerrangAwards2">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/slipknot-metallica-the-darkness-among-best-band-nominees-at-kerrang-awards/|title =SLIPKNOT, METALLICA, THE DARKNESS Among 'Best Band' Nominees At KERRANG! AWARDS 2004 |date =25 August 2004 |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=18 October 2017}}</ref> ''Love Metal'' was released on 11 April 2003 in Finland and on 14 April internationally,<ref name="Top40">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BnCugwHmgI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/8BnCugwHmgI |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title =Ville Valo Lista Top 40 2003 pt4 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=6 July 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and charted in eleven countries, peaking at number one in Finland and Germany,<ref name="FIN"/><ref name="GER"/> number four in Switzerland,<ref name="SWI">{{cite web |url=http://hitparade.ch/showinterpret.asp?interpret=HIM |title=Discographie HIM |publisher=HitParade.ch |access-date=7 February 2009 |language=de }}</ref> and at number five in Austria.<ref name="AUT">{{cite web |url=http://www.austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=HIM |title=Discographie HIM |publisher=AustrianCharts.at |access-date=7 February 2009 |language=de }}</ref> The album also reached number 55 on the UK Albums Chart, and later charted at number 117 in the US in 2005.<ref name="UK"/><ref name="US">{{cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/303494/him/chart |title=HIM - Chart history|publisher=Billboard|access-date=16 March 2017}}</ref> ''Love Metal'' was eventually certified platinum in Finland and gold in Germany.<ref name="FINcerts"/><ref name="GERcerts">{{cite certification|region=Germany|artist=HIM|access-date=7 February 2008}}</ref> The album was also nominated for "Best Album" at the 2003 Kerrang! Awards,<ref name="BBCKerrang">{{cite news|title = Kerrang! awards 2003: The nominations |date =6 August 2003|url =https://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/music/newsid_3129000/3129045.stm|publisher=BBC |access-date=18 October 2017}}</ref> as well as "Hard Rock/Metal Album of the Year" at the 2003 Emma Awards, while HIM were nominated for "Band of the Year".<ref name="MTV1">{{cite web|title = Emma-ehdokkaat julki|url =https://www.mtv.fi/viihde/musiikki/artikkeli/emma-ehdokkaat-julki/2845180#gs.jdSy9Pk|publisher=MTV |date=16 January 2004 |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref>
"Buried Alive by Love" and "The Sacrament" were released as singles in May and June 2003 respectively, with both hitting the UK charts, and the latter also peaking at number four in Finland.<ref name="FIN"/><ref name="UK"/> Both received music videos, which were directed by professional skateboarder and ''Jackass'' member Bam Margera.<ref name="LM1"/> The band had first met Margera in 2000, after a show in London, and played their first concert in the United States the following year at a party organized by Margera.<ref name="LM1"/> "Buried Alive by Love" was shot in Los Angeles, with a guest appearance by actress Juliette Lewis, while "The Sacrament" was filmed in Prague.<ref name="LM1"/><ref name="Bam1">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRx0rIVxyh4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/NRx0rIVxyh4 |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title =Making of "Buried Alive by Love" -music video|publisher=YouTube |access-date=9 June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Bam2">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=af1ft5dAR_M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/af1ft5dAR_M |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|title =Making of "The Sacrament" -music video|publisher=YouTube |access-date=9 June 2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In May 2003, HIM performed a sold-out show at the London Astoria, before starting the album's supporting tour in October 2003 in Finland.<ref name="LM2"/> HIM were also scheduled to support Ozzy Osbourne in the fall of 2003 on a European tour, but were forced to drop-out, after the tour was postponed due to Osbourne injuring his leg.<ref name="ISOzzy">{{cite web|title = Ozzy Osbourne Helsinkiin tammikuussa|url =http://www.is.fi/viihde/art-2000000105552.html|publisher=Ilta-Sanomat |date=23 October 2003 |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> Following the release of the compilation album ''And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004'', HIM announced in August 2003, that they had parted ways with their record company BMG, having fulfilled their contractual obligations to the label.<ref name="LeaveBMG">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/h-i-m-part-ways-with-label-seek-new-record-deal/|title =H.I.M. Part Ways With Label, Seek New Record Deal |publisher=Blabbermouth |date=5 August 2003 |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> Around the same time the band also announced plans to release a new live album, tentatively titled ''Live Metal'', in November 2003, but the record was ultimately scrapped, in favor of starting work on new material.<ref name="LeaveBMG"/><ref name="ScrapLiveMetal">{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/h-i-m-scrap-live-album-head-back-into-the-studio/|title =H.I.M. Scrap Live Album, Head Back Into The Studio |publisher=Blabbermouth |date=13 November 2003 |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> HIM continued touring on 17 January 2004 in Italy, which was followed by a seven-date UK leg, which was entirely sold-out.<ref name="MTV2">{{cite web|title = HIM menestyy Englannissa|url =https://www.mtv.fi/viihde/musiikki/artikkeli/him-menestyy-englannissa/2861230#gs.CUTN9Mo|publisher=MTV |date=20 January 2004 |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> From 15 April to 19 May 2004, HIM embarked on their first tour of the US, which was also entirely sold-out.<ref name="ISUS">{{cite web|title = HIMin kiertue USA:ssa myytiin heti loppuun|url =https://www.is.fi/viihde/art-2000000329539.html|publisher=Ilta-Sanomat |date=26 March 2004 |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> HIM also received a nomination for "Best Band on the Planet" at the 2004 Kerrang! Awards.<ref name="KerrangAwards2"/>
==Reception== {{Music ratings | rev1 = Imperiumi.net | rev1Score = 9-/10<ref name="Imperiumi">{{cite web|url=http://www.imperiumi.net/index.php?act=albums&id=825 |title =''Love Metal'' Review |publisher=Imperiumi.net |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> | rev2 = ''Rock Hard'' | rev2Score = 8.5/10<ref name="RockHard">{{cite web|url=https://www.rockhard.de/megazine/reviewarchiv/review-anzeigen.html?tx_rxsearch_pi1%5Breview%5D=14760 |title =''Love Metal'' Review |publisher=Rock Hard |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> | rev3 = ''PopMatters'' | rev3Score = {{Rating|8|10}}<ref name="PopMatters">{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/him-lovemetal/|title =''Love Metal'' Review |date =March 2005 |publisher=PopMatters |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> | rev4 = ''Helsingin Sanomat'' | rev4Score = Positive<ref name="HSReview">{{cite web|url=http://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/levyarvostelu/art-2000002581233.html|title =''Love Metal'' Review |date =11 April 2003 |publisher=Helsingin Sanomat |access-date=18 July 2017}}</ref> | rev5 = ''Rumba'' | rev5Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Rumba">{{cite web|url=https://www.rumba.fi/artikkelit/nostalgiamatka-rumban-arkistoista/|title =HIM-nostalgiamatka Rumban arkistoista |publisher=Rumba |access-date=17 January 2017}}</ref> | rev6 = AllMusic | rev6Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/love-metal-mw0000138854|title =''Love Metal'' Review |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> | rev7 = ''Soundi'' | rev7Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Soundi">{{cite web|url=http://www.soundi.fi/levyarviot/him-love-metal/|title =''Love Metal'' Review |date =6 June 2007 |publisher=Soundi |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> }}
''Love Metal'' received positive reviews from critics. Mape Ollila of Imperiumi.net commended the consistent quality of the material, as well as the "hook-laden" songwriting.<ref name="Imperiumi"/> He concluded his review, stating: "There are a lot of goth pop bands in Finland doing the same thing, but ''Love Metal'' once again proves that HIM is one step ahead of everybody else."<ref name="Imperiumi"/> Thomas Kupfer of ''Rock Hard'' also commended the album's consistent songwriting.<ref name="RockHard"/> He also touted ''Love Metal'' as a return to form after ''Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights'', calling it a "liberation" after the band's previous hardships.<ref name="RockHard"/> Lance Teegarden of ''PopMatters'' praised its "swooning pop hooks, a heavy yet harmonic sound, laments about love, death, and forgiveness, and an assured sense of songcraft".<ref name="PopMatters"/> He did however criticize the songwriting as formulaic, but concluded his review by stating: "no one is doing the whole gothic rock thing as convincingly as HIM are right now."<ref name="PopMatters"/>
Ilkka Mattila of ''Helsingin Sanomat'' was positive in his review of ''Love Metal'', describing the band as sounding "liberated" and more rock following ''Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights''.<ref name="HSReview"/> ''Rumba''{{'}}s Samuli Knuuti described ''Love Metal'' as a return to the roots of the band and sounding like "what HIM should sound like", despite perceiving a lack of variety.<ref name="Rumba"/> Rob Theakston of AllMusic praised the album's songwriting as being "as strong as it has been in quite some time", with "a newly found sense of urgency [keeping] the record going at a well-tempered pace".<ref name="Allmusic"/> He also touted ''Love Metal'' as the album "HIM has been struggling to make and realize for quite a while", providing "dramatic metal of high sonic quality".<ref name="Allmusic"/> Petri Silas of ''Soundi'' commended the band's ability to innovate themselves with the "faster songs" amid the "grand, mid-tempo tracks."<ref name="Soundi"/> He did however criticize the album of being more of the same "pain-ridden, gothic dragging".<ref name="Soundi"/>
In 2017, Valo revisited ''Love Metal'' and declared it as the band's best album, stating: "We found the sound of the band, and I found myself. The band's declaration of what we are."<ref name="HS">{{cite web|title = Jäähyväiset HIMille – Ville Valo kertoo, miksi Suomen suurin rockyhtye lopettaa ja mitä siitä seuraa|url =http://www.hs.fi/kulttuuri/art-2000005275642.html|publisher=Helsingin Sanomat |date=2 July 2017 |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref> ''Loudwire'' later ranked ''Love Metal'' as HIM's second best album, describing it as an improvement over ''Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights'' and as the album where the band "truly found their sound that moved them forward throughout the next decade."<ref name="Ranked">{{cite web|title = HIM Albums Ranked|date =27 July 2017|url =http://loudwire.com/him-albums-ranked/|publisher=Loudwire |access-date=29 August 2017}}</ref> On the other hand, ''Kaaoszine'' ranked ''Love Metal'' seventh in HIM's discography, calling it "a good collection of songs", but overall "tiring".<ref name="Ranked2">{{cite web|title = Tuotanto ruodinnassa: HIM|date =27 December 2017|url =http://kaaoszine.fi/tuotanto-ruodinnassa-him/|publisher=Kaaoszine |access-date=29 December 2017}}</ref>
==Track listing== ===Original release=== All tracks written by Ville Valo. {{track listing |total_length = 52:53 | title1 = Buried Alive by Love | length1 = 5:01 | title2 = The Funeral of Hearts | length2 = 4:30 | title3 = Beyond Redemption | length3 = 4:28 | title4 = Sweet Pandemonium | length4 = 5:45 | title5 = Soul on Fire | length5 = 4:02 | title6 = The Sacrament | length6 = 4:32 | title7 = This Fortress of Tears | length7 = 5:46 | title8 = Circle of Fear | length8 = 5:27 | title9 = Endless Dark | length9 = 5:35 | title10 = The Path | length10 = 7:44 }} {{track listing | total_length = 60:50 | headline = Digipak bonus track | title11 = Love's Requiem | length11 = 8:36 }} {{track listing | total_length = 60:50 | headline = Remastered edition (2014) | title11 = Love's Requiem | note11 = Backwards version<ref>Love Metal (Deluxe Version) [Re-Mastered] by HIM https://itun.es/us/KeI-3{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> | length11 = 8:36 }}
===Remastered edition=== {{Track listing | total_length = 38:33 | title1 = Buried Alive by Love | note1 = live at El Teatro Flores BS.AS. MMXIV | length1 = 5:21 | title2 = Beyond Redemption | note2 = Vinnfox Relics | length2 = 4:31 | title3 = Circle of Fear | note3 = Vinnfox Relics | length3 = 4:25 | title4 = Soul on Fire | note4 = live at Semifinal HKI MMIII | length4 = 4:14 | title5 = Endless Dark | note5 = Vinnfox Relics | length5 = 4:12 | title6 = The Sacrament | note6 = ACSTC Pascha MMXIV | length6 = 3:59 | title7 = This Fortress of Tears | note7 = Vinnfox Relics | length7 = 5:33 | title8 = The Funeral of Hearts | note8 = live at Helldone MMXIII SJK | length8 = 6:18 }}
==Personnel== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ;HIM *Ville Valo − lead and backing vocals, artwork *Mikko "Linde" Lindström − guitars *Mikko "Mige" Paananen − bass *Janne "Burton" Puurtinen − keyboards *Mika "Gas Lipstick" Karppinen − drums {{col-2}} ;Production *Hiili Hiilesmaa − production, engineering *Tim Palmer − mixing *Mark O'Donoughue − mixing engineer *Alex Uychocde - mixing assistant *Nick Friend − mixing assistant *George Marino − mastering *Janne Uotila − artwork {{col-end}}
==Charts== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}}
===Weekly charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |- !scope="col"|Chart (2003–05) !scope="col"|Peak<br />position |- {{album chart|Austria|5|artist=HIM|album=Love Metal|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|Finland|1|artist=HIM|album=Love Metal|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|France|141|artist=HIM|album=Love Metal|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|Germany|1|id=4470|artist=HIM|album=Love Metal|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|Hungary|24|year=2003|week=16|access-date=27 November 2021}} |- {{album chart|Italy|22|artist=HIM|album=Love Metal|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|Norway|32|artist=HIM|album=Love Metal|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|Portugal|21|artist=HIM|album=Love Metal|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|Scotland|56|date=20030426|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|Sweden|11|artist=HIM|album=Love Metal|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|Switzerland|4|artist=HIM|album=Love Metal|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|UK2|55|date=20030426|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|Billboard200|117|artist=HIM|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardHeatseekers|1|artist=HIM|access-date=15 July 2020}} |- {{album chart|BillboardVinyl|9|artist=HIM|access-date=15 July 2020}} |} {{col-2}}
===Year-end charts=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+Year-end chart performance for ''Love Metal'' !scope="col"|Chart (2003) !scope="col"|Position |- ! scope="row"| Finnish Artist Albums (Suomen virallinen lista)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifpi.fi/tutkimukset-ja-tilastot/myydyimmat/2003/kotimaiset/|title=Myydyimmät kotimaiset albumit vuonna 2003|language=Finnish|publisher=Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland|accessdate=6 June 2022}}</ref> | style="text-align:center;"| 15 |- ! scope="row"|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-2003|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=de|work=GfK Entertainment|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref> |align="center"|40 |- ! scope="row"| Hungarian Albums (MAHASZ)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slagerlistak.hu/archivum/eves-osszesitett-listak/album_db/2003|title=Összesített album- és válogatáslemez-lista - eladási darabszám alapján - 2003|publisher=Mahasz|language=hu|access-date=6 June 2022}}</ref> |align="center"|98 |- ! scope="row"|Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/2003|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2003|website=hitparade.ch|access-date=15 July 2020}}</ref> |align="center"|94 |} {{col-end}}
==Certifications== {{Certification Table Top}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=Love Metal|artist=HIM|relyear=2003|type=album|region=Finland|award=Platinum|certyear=2001|access-date=25 July 2017|salesamount=49,231|domestic=true|refname=FINcerts}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=Love Metal|artist=HIM|relyear=2003|region=Germany|type=album|award=Gold|certyear=2001|access-date=25 July 2017}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=Love Metal|artist=HIM|relyear=2003|region=Russia|type=album|award=Platinum|certyear=2003|access-date=17 May 2019}} {{Certification Table Entry|title=Love Metal|artist=HIM|relyear=2003|region=United Kingdom|type=album|award=Gold|certyear=2013|certmonth=7|id=8986-2400-2|access-date=17 May 2019}} {{Certification Table Bottom}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.heartagram.com/}}
{{HIM}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:HIM (Finnish band) albums Category:2003 albums Category:Albums recorded at Finnvox Studios