We went to Finland, the country with the most metal bands per capita and the happiest in the world according to the latest United Nations ranking, an issue we believe cannot be a coincidence.
In addition to enjoying the majestic views that Finnish nature offers to locals and strangers, we take the opportunity to attend the concerts that local bands give every weekend in rather small venues and with costs that do not exceed 50 euros (one thousand Mexican pesos approximately).
In our tour, we consider it unmissable to attend the presentation of the leader of one of the most famous Finnish gangs internationally, the extinct HIM.
Ville Valo, the 42-year-old singer-songwriter, recently made the almost one-sided decision to end the band's career that led him to reap success around the world for more than two decades.
After their last concert in December 2017, Valo is on tour today with The Agents, a Finnish group for rather mature tastes.
The style of music that Ville Valo interpreted in this time facet of his artistic career is the schlager, songs of catchy rhythms close to pop with a vast sentimental content and jazz influences.
It is music for rhythmic dances in pairs where the voice of Ville in his native language it becomes the melodies that speak of childhood loves, nature, starry skies and sunny landscapes: ah, happiness!
According to himself ValoHis first childhood memories have to do with his parents listening to this type of music and making him listen to it to silence him after his cries and baby tantrums.
The Agents is a scandinavian folklore band that worked with the now deceased Rauli “Badding” Somerjoki, singer and lyricist of worship in this country.
Three years ago, the prodigious guitarist That Pulliainen, discovered some tapes with unpublished songs and it occurred to him that Ville Valo It could be the voice to bring them to life and bring them to light.
Today, that idea is concretized with an album released just two months ago and a promotional tour of it that will come to an end in August of this year, after performing at major festivals in the Nordic country.
For Ville Valo It was not difficult to pay tribute to an artist who has also been an influence on his life and style when making music. Remember that Ville he even invented a term for what he did with HIM, the so-called Love metalOr sweet metal for those who want to understand it like that.
With the project of Ville Valo and The Agents He goes back to his roots and claims himself as a romantic who finds in his deep voice the best tool to project his sensitivity.
The concert we were invited to was held in Seinäjoki, a town three hours away from Helsinki, the Finnish capital. Curiously, it was also the place where the honoree last sang Badding.
The venue welcomed us with just a thousand attendees who mixed fans over 50 with unmistakable fans of HIM that they did not want to miss the experience.
After an hour and a half of setlist, The Agents accompanied to Valo in interpreting a piece of HIM: When Love and Death Embrace, ballad that was adapted to the schlager acrodes and emotionally accompanied by the fans' choruses and the singer's melancholic smiles.
Ville Valo He does not seem to be afraid of being vulnerable to the future, he does not seem to be clear about what he wants for his life or career, but he does not seem worried either. Look with a younger look, a literally new smile and a voice that no longer sounds tired. He seems connected to himself and grateful for what was HIM and what left him.
So, Ville Valo It is consistent with his latest statements before breaking with the band that made him famous:
"It is not fair to continue with things where you no longer have your heart, neither for one as an artist, nor for the fans."
Now he has it on this project and it shows. Time will tell where it goes next. You deserve this moment to put your artistic soul where it needs to be.
We leave you now the video of ‘When Love and Death Embrace’:
More information about our trip and other concerts to which Summa Inferno was summoned awaits soon.
Review by: Karina Coss
Photographers: Sami Salmela, Jari Hakala and Kalle Marjamäki
Venue: Rytmikorjaamo