Helldone was an annual music festival organized by Finnish gothic rock band HIM. Typically held on 31 December at the Tavastia Club, and its companion club the Semifinal, in Helsinki, Finland, Helldone began in 1999 as an annual New Year's Eve show for HIM, which grew out of vocalist Ville Valo's "hatred for music parties" and need to "do something more than just get fucked up at midnight".Juho K. Juntunen (2002). "HIM – Synnin viemää" p.262. WSOYMetal Hammer Presents HIM: Tears On Tape Fanpack Magazine - pg. 109 The shows were expanded into a festival in 2005 and renamed Helldone after the band's booking agent Tiina Vuorinen, née Welldone, and their hometown of Helsinki. Helldone also took up a policy of named tickets, where attendees were required to provide identification matching their ticket upon entry to the venue.
In 2008, Helldone was expanded into a tour, which took the festival across Finland, before returning to Helsinki on New Year's Eve. Helldone took breaks in 2010 and 2011, partly due to HIM drummer Gas Lipstick's health issues, before returning in 2012. The festival took another break in 2016, due to the band members' other commitments. On 7 August 2017, HIM announced the return of Helldone for 31 December 2017, which would also serve as the band's final show before disbanding. Additional dates were later released going through 27 December to 30 December 2017 across Finland, including a show at the Helsinki Ice Hall.
Annually sold out and attended by people from around the world, Helldone hosted many bands over its tenure, including local artists such as The 69 Eyes, Swallow the Sun and Children of Bodom, as well as international acts like Cathedral, Anathema and Paradise Lost.
Performers 2005 29 December 30 December 31 DecemberThe 69 Eyes CharonNegative Deep Insight BloodpitHIM Bleak Underdøgs
2006 29 December 30 December 31 DecemberCathedral Diablo BlakeAmorphis Anathema 45 Degree WomanHIM Katatonia Sara
2007 29 December 30 December 31 DecemberVon Hertzen Brothers Mokoma Swallow the Sun The Black League Semifinal Mannhai Snipe Drive Kings of Fools Barbe-Q-BarbiesFields of the Nephilim Ajattara BlakeHIM The Skreppers
2008 29 December 30 December 31 December Stam1na Diablo GodsplagueThe 69 Eyes Negative SaraHIM KYPCK 45 Degree Woman
29 December Teatria, Oulu 30 December Pakkahuone and Klubi, Tampere HIM KYPCK 45 Degree WomanHIM KYPCK 45 Degree Woman
2009
28 December 29 December 30 December 31 December HIM Fireal Semifinal The 69 EyesHIM Ghost Brigade Semifinal The 69 EyesHIM Vanity Beach Semifinal The 69 EyesHIM Major Label Semifinal Anathema
2012 28 December 29 December 30 December 31 December HIM The Skreppers Face of God Semifinal DJ Jyrki 69HIM The Skreppers Final Assault Semifinal DJ Jyrki 69HIM The Skreppers Semifinal DJ Jyrki 69HIM The Skreppers
2013 28 December Teatria, Oulu 29 December Rytmikorjaamo, Seinäjoki 30 December Pakkahuone, Tampere 31 December Tavastia, Helsinki HIM Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät Beastmilk OdalisqueHIM Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät Beastmilk OdalisqueHIM Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät Beastmilk OdalisqueHIM Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät Beastmilk Odalisque
2014 29 December 30 December 31 December Paradise Lost The 69 Eyes Rambo RimbaudChildren of Bodom Reckless Love Daniel LioneyeHIM Daniel Cavanagh Kuolemanlaakso
2015 29 December 30 December 31 December HIM At the Hollow Semifinal DJ Jussi 69HIM At the Hollow Semifinal DJ Jussi 69HIM At the Hollow Semifinal DJ Jussi 69
2017
27 December Helsinki Ice Hall, Helsinki 28 December Terminaali Arena, Oulu 29 December Rytmikorjaamo, Seinäjoki 30 December Pakkahuone and Klubi, Tampere 31 December Tavastia, Helsinki HIM The 69 Eyes JimsonweedHIM JimsonweedHIM JimsonweedHIM Jimsonweed Klubi Delta EnigmaHIM Jimsonweed
In a smaller "Black Box" capacity
References
External links of HIM