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In episode twenty‑three of Skip’d, Rob and Mike welcome in 2026 in style with Rob’s pick off the back of his somewhat dubious win of the Skip’d Festive Fun podcast.

This week they dive headfirst into the velvet‑drenched darkness of HIM’s 2000 cult classic Razorblade Romance — the album that catapulted the Finnish “love metal” pioneers from underground curiosity to international gothic icons.

Drenched in neon‑pink melancholy, theatrical heartbreak, and Ville Valo’s unmistakable baritone, the record blends doom‑laden riffs with pop‑leaning hooks in a way no band had dared before. From the seductive ache of “Join Me in Death” to the swaggering gloom of “Right Here in My Arms,” Razorblade Romance became the soundtrack for teenage bedrooms, eyeliner‑smudged nights out, and anyone who ever believed heartbreak could be both tragic and glamorous.

What’s inside:

• A breakdown of defining moments like “Join Me in Death,” “Gone With the Sin,” and the anthemic “Right Here in My Arms”
• A look at how Razorblade Romance sharpened HIM’s identity — exploring the band’s shift toward a more polished, melodic, and radio‑ready sound without losing their gothic edge
• Reflections on the album’s creation, how this album shaped HIM’s future sound and Rob recalls the first time he ever heard one of the tracks in a bizarre turn of events.

Stream Skip’d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your audio fix. Got an album that shaped your teenage angst, your first heartbreak, or your entire aesthetic? Send it our way — Rob & Mike will put it to the test and decide if it’s truly unskippable.