22 / 11 / 2009
AVELINA DE MORAY Article for His Infernal Magazine
When I was asked by Rosanna at His Infernal Magazine to write about my experience photographing HIM, I was worried that I would not have enough to write.
Don’t get me wrong, I adore the band and was so excited to meet Ville and Mige, but at first, I thought everything may have been covered in my Fiancé’s interview which was recently published on HIM’s website.
When I thought about my day with the band in more detail, I realized that it was filled with experiences that fans might kill for, and I’d now like to share these experiences with you.
As we waited in the lobby of the Sydney hotel, Tom, HIM’s tour manager introduced himself and we chatted about his days working with Type O Negative……..(What a cool job!)
Tom left to attend to the band members, and was quickly replaced by a very confused Ville who had just burst out of the elevator.
”Hi” he said………….looking confused and disorientated.
“Hi back”
“Have you seen my Tour manager Tom?
“He just went upstairs” I said.
“Thanks”
Meeting Ville was as I had imagined, but with more confusion and less subtlety.
The interview with Ville and Mige was held in their hotel room, (I can hear the screams of envious fans already)……..now now, play nice girls.
I was pleasantly greeted again by a handshake from Ville and Mige who then engaged in conversation with Von whilst I documented the event with my camera.
 I enjoyed listening to both Ville and Mige, they’re funny guys……..It’s obvious that Mige, is quite the hair stylist and I was disturbed to learn that Ville is an Amy Winehouse fan…………Although I think that was sarcasm……….His delivery was so cold I wasn’t sure.
At the end of the interview we spoke casually about me shooting their concert tonight and then about the rest of their Australian tour. Ville and Mige were very interested in the Modified Dunlop Wah Pedal that Von had organized for Linde and were both keen to hear it at the sound check.
After photographing Ville’s tattoos, we headed to the Sydney venue to shoot the stage at the Sound check.
 
Whilst Von and Linde were checking out the Wah pedal, I casually walked around the huge stage of my favorite band, shooting their props, instruments, heartagram spray painted road cases, Martin their guitar tech and of course, their equipment.
I have grown accustomed to shooting band concerts at the front of stage, but it was a very humbling experience to be ON the stage.
With my imagination running wild as the colored stage lights illuminated me, I looked out into the massive stadium that would soon be filled with thousands of adoring fans, and though to myself, this is what it’s all about.
Just after I finished shooting the stage, the band arrived and started their sound check.
Just before HIM’s performance, I was at the front of the stage chatting to the compacted fans in the front row. Some of the people I met were from the Himfidels, the Official Australian street team. These girls had been here since 8am, and considering that it was now 8.30pm, I had nothing but the utmost respect for their dedication to this band………………..I hope to one day attract such loyal fans.
 The stage lights were dimmed, the atmospheric music started, and one by one, the band members started to appear onstage. Ville’s absence, (seen only as unnecessary torture for most fans), only added to the suspense that was now electric.
The screams finally subsided and it was almost quiet enough to hear the accelerated heartbeats of the thousands of patrons.
Finally, Ville killed the suspense by casually walking onstage, and although I was wearing earplug, the screams were utterly deafening as the Love Metal God paused in front of his microphone stand.
The band burst into “Passion killing floor” and after that, it was just me and the band through my viewfinder.
When I shoot a band, it’s almost like the music disappears (some of you may think this is due to my earplugs? (lol), I assure you it is not).
I just completely drift into the bands performance and it seems to take all my concentration to do this. Luckily I photographed the set list, so I could recall what they performed.
After the end third song “Wings of a butterfly”, all photographers were escorted out. I had gotten on really well with Tom their tour manager, and he allowed me to shoot 5 songs………..Now it really was just me and the band.
It was a great night, this having been my second time seeing HIM perform………..I was not, and will never be disappointed by this wonderful band.
Please visit my website for the entire HIM photo gallery and HIM artworks:
Sinfully Yours,
Avelina De Moray
www.avelinademoray.com
www.asangelsbleed.com
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Thank you to His Infernal Magazine
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