Ville Valo.

Civil name: Ville Hermanni Valo; Date of birth: November 22, 1976; Zodiac sign: Scorpio, although some tend to consider him a Sagittarius, as he was born at the cusp of the constellations. From Scorpio, he inherited his unabashed sexuality and a touch of mysticism (the demon tempter), and from Sagittarius, his stormy, shamanic charisma and rather original sense of humor. Furthermore, according to the Japanese horoscope, Ville is a Dragon… Place of birth: Helsinki, Finland; Nationality: Finn (Finnish on father’s side, Hungarian on mother’s side); Place of residence: apartment in Helsinki; Professions: vocalist, composer, poet, producer, actor; Musical instruments: keyboards, drums, guitar, bass guitar; Singing voice: Baritone; Diseases: asthma.

Ville is an ordinary guy from an unremarkable, poor family. He attended a very basic music-focused school and began working part-time at an early age to supplement his pocket money. Valo was fascinated by music from an early age, and at the age of 10, his parents gave him a guitar—a replica of the famous Gibson SG. Ville's struggles began in school. He grew up hyperactive, often clashing with his peers, and had to learn to channel his energy through painting and judo, which led him to become quite skilled at drawing and hold a green belt in the martial art. He also struggled mightily with mathematics, which he completely failed to grasp. However, this struggle paid off: once he figured it out (with the help of a talented teacher), he became obsessed with it. Along with literature and art, mathematics became one of his favorite subjects at school. As a teenager, Ville began to experience new challenges, struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder and hatred for his mother. Another constant problem for Ville was shyness, so he never planned on becoming the lead singer of a rock band. Intimidated and unsure of himself, he dreamed of hiding behind the drums or in the shadows on stage, playing bass guitar. He was forced to take up singing by circumstances: a young, aspiring group could not find a vocalist. But even after becoming the frontman of the world-famous HIM, Ville Valo continued to be nervous before performances. He was literally terrified of shitting himself on stage every time. Fortunately, this didn't happen, but he did vomit once. He once battled his fears with cigarettes and a bottle, which backfired, leading him to rehab. Ville Valo's stage fright hasn't left him to this day. To this day, every performance is a challenge for him.

The main reason for HIM's success is the songs written by Ville Valo, although his appearance certainly played a role. Ville doesn't like being called a sex symbol; he prefers to be seen as an artist. But he's always skillfully played up to audiences and the media, spinning stories around himself, fueling rumors, hiding his shyness, and transforming himself into a true rock star in front of the cameras. Although in his youth, his idea of ​​a star image was quite unique: tattoos, makeup, a cigarette, a bottle, bell-bottoms, and even a fur coat—all at once. Basically, it was killer. In interviews, Ville Valo often uses the words "fun" and "boring" to describe various things and events. He's always loved to joke around and participate in any kind of activity, whether it's going to a rock festival or filming Bam Margera's "Jackass."

Height: 188 cm; Weight: 68 kg; Hair: dark brown - for Finns this is probably already brunette, and burning; Eye color: absinthe color. Very beautiful and charming eyes; Tattoos: more than 20 pieces.

Greatest Lovesongs vol. 666 (1990s) HIM officially formed in 1991 under a slightly different name – His Infernal Majesty. It wasn't until 1996 that the current name was firmly established. Ville Valo was still young, shy, and reserved, but by then he already had a clear idea of ​​what a true rock star should look like: long hair, flared pants, giant platforms, preferably with heels, and, of course, the essential attributes – a bottle of red wine in one hand and a cigarette in the other. It was in this look, topped off with a fur coat, that the young and passionate Finn went to sign his first contract with Finland's largest record label. Valo blew everyone away, and from that moment on, HIM began their stellar journey to fame. Whether it was the band's sensational cover of the famous "Wicked Game" or Ville's super-fashionable outfit that attracted the label's attention more remains a mystery. But the fact remains: it worked! And on November 20, 1997, HIM released their first studio album, "Graetest Lovesongs Vol. 666."

Razorblade Romance era (early 2000s) After the release of their second studio album, Razorblade Romance, the Finnish rockers' lives were catapulted to fame, sweeping them far beyond their frozen homeland. A photograph of Ville graced the album cover: a pompous pink hue, a languid gaze, a sexy bare torso, a tattoo peeking out from indecently low pants, bold makeup, passionate curly locks, and a glamorous cigarette clenched between his teeth. From that moment on, the infernal prince of Suomi became a sex symbol of world rock once and for all.

Dark Light Era (2005–2007) Released in September 2005, their fifth album, Dark Light, achieved gold status in the US. HIM became the first Finnish band to achieve such colossal success in the Americas. Ville radically changed his image, cutting off his signature curls and dyeing his hair black. By his thirtieth birthday, he had finally grown his curly locks back, and a playful "musketeer-style" beard and moustache appeared, adding a touch of romance to his look. This Valo resembled a 17th-century figure, further emphasizing his uniqueness. And a cigarette continued to accompany him to every event, even the presidential ball.

In his youth, Ville was a lifelong lover. He threw reggae parties, one of which ended in a dispute with neighbors and a call to the police. He'd get so drunk he didn't know how he'd gotten to places. For example, he once showed up at the Roskildeon rock festival completely out of his mind and had to write an IOU on toilet paper to pay for his ticket. Once, at a hotel in Amsterdam, he was mistaken for a drug-addicted tourist and woke up the morning after a party in handcuffs. Another time, he nearly fell off a balcony, leading the media to speculate that the HIM frontman was contemplating suicide. This amused Ville greatly, but he admitted it caused his parents considerable stress. In 2005, Valo was drugged in his beer and robbed in Minneapolis. That's when he realized it was time to quit. But few know how deep he sank into the blue pit, how desperately he tried to quit drinking and relapsed time and time again. Ultimately, Ville drank himself into a terrible state: a swollen face, bloody vomiting, frequent depression, nervous breakdowns, and hysterics. His acquaintances noted that he had become a shadow of his former self. His heightened sense of responsibility for his work and for those around him not only prevented him from overcoming his addiction but also exacerbated the problem, plunging him further into the abyss. Ultimately, Ville drank himself into a terrible state: a swollen face, bloody vomiting, frequent depression, nervous breakdowns, and hysterics. His acquaintances noted that he had become a shadow of his former self. His heightened sense of responsibility for his work and for those around him not only prevented him from overcoming his addiction but also exacerbated the problem, plunging him further into the abyss. One day, Ville finally decided to quit, and after finishing recording the album "Venus Doom," he checked himself into a rehab facility in Malibu, where he stayed for 28 days. It was both treatment and relaxation. And it helped.

Ville Valo's second addiction was smoking. At one point, he smoked about four packs a day. About six months after his treatment, he managed to quit. He didn't last long, but he did cut down dramatically on the number of cigarettes he smoked.

Favorite song: Tapio Rautavaara "Sininen Uni"; Favorite movie: "Nightmare before Christmas"; Favorite city: Necropolis; Favorite food: Corpus Christi, Japanese cuisine; Favorite drink: the blood of Christ, red wine, Red Bull beer; Favorite color: black; Favorite book: The Oxford Book of the Dead; Ideals: Jim Simons, Edgar Allan Poe, Clint Eastwood, Howard Lovecraft; Interested in: the 80s, the origin of blues, Eastern European folklore; Lucky number: 0; Favorite drug: adrenaline.

Ville has always been a fan of horror films. His favorite childhood hits include "The Evil Dead," "Hellraiser," and "A Nightmare on Elm Street." He loves French horror films for their distinctive "pacing and moral compass." Valo is a fan of David Lynch and the TV series "Twin Peaks," even crediting the series with setting the tone for much of his youth. Ville also truly loves reading, finding it the most engaging and rewarding pastime. He copies out individual lines from books that catch his attention, quoting many by heart. He has tattoos of Poe, Mucky, Baudelaire, and Bukowski on his body. According to Valo, this is a tribute to the quotes he has borrowed from them. Ville has also been a skateboarding enthusiast since childhood and is a good chess player, though he is modest.

Snowflakes are falling on the bed The snowstorm cuts the skin like sharp spears There is ice underfoot and no moon in the sky. And you and I are carried straight into the arms of darkness I'll hold you close so you can get warm. There's nowhere we can escape from this nuclear winter. The pain will give me one more minute Next to you until I fade away When will we get tired and fall dead in an embrace? Our bodies will lazily sweep away the snow for a couple of years And in the icy fragments of our hearts it is inevitable In spite of the blizzard, one snowdrop will bloom, meeting the sun Uncle Khrushchev will come and loudly announce that there is a thaw. It's here, no one will die in winter now, it seems. What can I love anymore, I feel sorry for no one now I am buried in an embrace with you under a thickness of centuries-old ice I'll hold you close so you can get warm. There's nowhere we can escape from this nuclear winter. The pain will give me one more minute Next to you until I fade away.