The first incarnation of HIM was formed in 1991 by childhood friends Ville Valo and Mikko “Mige” Paananen in Helsinki , Finland . Valo played six-string bass, which substituted for guitar, while Mige also played bass. The band had two rotating drummers: Sami “Juippi” Jokilehto and Juha Tarvonen. Dubbed His Infernal Majesty, other names considered for the band included Black Earth, Black Salem and Kafferi. After recording its first demo Witches and Other Night Fears , His Infernal Majesty played its first show on New Year’s Eve 1992 at the Semifinal in Helsinki. The band broke up shortly thereafter, when Mige began his national military service . In 1995, His Infernal Majesty was reformed by Valo and guitarist Mikko “Linde” Lindström . Together they recorded a four-track demo, which featured Valo on drums and vocals, and Linde on guitar and bass. Valo originally intended to remain as the bassist for the group, but took up the role of lead vocalist out of necessity, after they were unable to find another singer. Eventually the two were joined by returning bassist Mige and drummer Juhana “Pätkä” Rantala. The group played its first show on 19 December 1995 at the Teatro in Helsinki, opening for Kauko Röyhkä . The band’s next show was also at the Teatro, this time performing Type O Negative covers, for which they recruited keyboardist Janne “Burton” Puurtinen .
first incarnation formed
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