parted ways with BMG

Following Love Metal ‘ s release, HIM embarked on its first US tour, which was entirely sold-out. In August 2003, HIM parted ways with BMG, having fulfilled its contractual obligations to the label. The band were also set on releasing a live album, tentatively titled Live Metal , in November 2003, but the record was ultimately scrapped in favor of new material. In March 2004, HIM released And Love Said No: The Greatest Hits 1997–2004 , which peaked at number two in Finland and number five in Germany. It also went gold in the band’s home country. Aside from previously released material, the collection also included two new songs, “And Love Said No” and a cover of Neil Diamond ‘s ” Solitary Man “. The singles peaked at number one and two, respectively, in Finland, while “Solitary Man” reached number nine on the UK Singles Chart . In September 2004, HIM signed a new recording contract with Sire Records , who would handle all the band’s future releases in Europe, North America, Japan and Australia. In Finland, HIM’s future releases would be handled through the band’s own label Heartagram. On 7 December 2004, HIM released The Video Collection: 1997–2003 , a DVD featuring all the band’s music videos. HIM was also voted 2004’s Band of the Year by the readers of Metal Hammer magazine.