I guess the secret was bound to come out at some time, and with my recent mail I guess it's time to sit down and have that conversation. I'm a huge HIM fan, and I mean really into them. My first tattoo was a Heartagram, I have a ton of merch and rare promo stuff, and now I also have an awesome box set to add to the collection. Hate if you want, but either way this is a really well put together box set that I'm really happy to own.
There were two Box Sets available, one was a super deluxe deal with double LP's that came on coloured wax and the other was the standard bundle with single LP 180 gram Black vinyl. This time I settled for the latter; the super deluxe was way more money, and all the tracks are available here too. I'm not really needing audiophile quality of B-Sides and Live Sessions just yet. Plus, this version was available on Amazon and saved me a decent amount in shipping.
As is the deal with most box sets, there comes a sticker detailing the contents inside. It's a shame this one is wrong and really the only real let down. There claimed to be a signed poster print of the artwork in here, which there isn't. I emailed the label and they said they'd try and sort something out, but that it was just a manufacturing error on the sticker.
The box is also fairly deep, especially considering the contents. The title of the box runs down each side and it looks pretty great. The bottom of the box is a little scuffed from storage, but looking at the high gloss wrap on the box it's probably unavoidable.
On to the records!
H.I.M - Greatest Lovesongs Vol. 666 - The End Records - 1st Press - Black /2000 (180 Gram)
The box sets were limited to 2000 each. Also, I have only taken 1 or 2 photos per record this time around. Normally I like to show the insert and such, but 4 photos over 5 means 20 photos minimum on records alone. If anyone wants to see anything in particular just let me know?
H.I.M - Razorblade Romance - The End Records - 1st Press - Black /2000 (180 Gram)
Most of the time I'd refer to this as my favourite record from this band. It's weird that I've known this record for 12 years or so and there was definitely a point in my life that this record was getting listened to at least twice a day every day; yet I'm still not even remotely tired of it.
H.I.M - Deep Shadows and Brilliant Highlights - The End Records - 1st Press - Black /2000 (180 Gram)
All of the inner sleeves are printed on both sides, and come with extended liner notes and other cool bits. I only have two 12'' box sets in my collection, and neither have come with a large book or anything like that. I kind of feel I'm missing out on something in a sense.
H.I.M - Love Metal - The End Records - 1st Press - Black /2000 (180 Gram Black)
This box set was originally released as a way for US fans to get hold of their back catalogue, as HIM didn't really blow up over there 'til Dark Light came out. Over here it seemed to start with this one though.
This is a quick close up of the cover just so you can see the spot UV finish on the sleeve. This is similar to the CD issue, but it looks far nicer blown up to true size.
H.I.M - 666 Ways To Love: Prologue - The End Records - 1st Press - Black /2000 (180 Gram)
This was the final piece that made me take the jump with this box set, as I have never heard this record aside from a few sketchy sounding bootlegs here and there. Although The End were streaming this on their Youtube page early, I held off and listened to it this way.
Token slipmat. Normally I'd pass this kind of thing off as box set fodder, but it looks pretty neat so I'm definitely not complaining! I'll probably never use it, I keep an old No Idea one in rotation most of the time. I have a Touche Amore one that never gets used too...
USB
This was another great selling point for me. All of the bonus tracks on the LP's of the super deluxe edition of the other box set are stored here in this neat little USB stick. Then they can stay on your iTunes which is going to be the only place they'll get played after a token spin anyway. Again, this probably won't see the light of day again, and I'll definitely not wipe it and use it for anything else. Some stuff I'll only listen to now and then, a lot of it is either album worthy or at least worth a compilation release one day maybe?
The bottom of the box. Here you see how the USB is stored in this little cutaway so it's not rattling around in the box or pressing on the sleeves (it's sunk in too so it's pretty flush with the box). The writing is simply crediting Samuli Heimonen as the cover artist for the painting 'Heartagram in Fur'. Now I know the signed art cards and 24'' X 24'' posters exist for it, I would love one. Again, it would stay in the box, but just to pull it out occasionally and really appreciate the art in full size would be enough.
Finally
Back of the box!
I've loved every minute of writing this. It's well put together, it sounds great and doesn't really have any throwaway elements at all which I'm super chuffed about. Sorry if you think this band suck! I might do a post on my only other box set whilst waiting for RSD stuff to arrive.
Cheers!
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