Heavy music is full of legendary bands boasting deep catalogs stacked with iconic songs — sometimes it can be hard to know where to start, or what to consider their best. With that in mind, we present the “Mandatory Metal” lists, which collect what we consider to be the definitive tracks from various members of the metallurgic pantheon. Up today, HIM, those Ville Valo–led, Bam Margera–worshipped “love metal” originators whose gothy, guyliner-streaked anthems have soundtracked millions of rainy days and weepy nights. The now-defunct Finnish band has tons of great tunes in their catalog, but in our opinion, these classic cuts are their most essential. If you disagree, sound off on The Pit Facebook page.
“YOUR SWEET 666”
ALBUM: GREATEST LOVESONGS VOL. 666
Syrupy synths and goth lyrics evoke the Vampire Lestat.
Sample lyrics: “I’m longing for your touch and/I welcome your sweet six six six in my heart.”
“HEARTACHE EVERY MOMENT”
ALBUM: DEEP SHADOWS AND BRILLIANT HIGHLIGHTS
HIM’s dramatic take on love-hate relationships.
Sample lyrics: From lashes to ashes/And from lust to dust/In your sweetest torment/I’m lost.”
“(DON’T FEAR) THE REAPER”
ALBUM: GREATEST LOVESONGS VOL. 666
Female vocals embellish this moody, lesser-known cover of Blue Öyster Cult’s classic.
Sample lyrics: “Love of two is one/Here but now they’re gone.”
“SOUL ON FIRE”
ALBUM: LOVE METAL
One of HIM’S hardest-rocking guitar-driven anthems.
Sample lyrics: “We are like the living dead/Craving for deliverance/With a frozen heart and a soul on fire.”
“LOVE YOU LIKE I DO”
ALBUM: DEEP SHADOWS AND BRILLIANT HIGHLIGHTS
The gloomiest love song Type O Negative never wrote.
Sample lyrics: “On my heart I’ll bear the shame/No prayer can ease the pain.”
