Finnish heavy metal outfit Daniel Lioneye is the splinter group created by members of the acclaimed hard rock band H.I.M. The band was formed in 2001 by H.I.M. guitarist Mikko Viljami "Linde" Lindström (aka Daniel Lioneye) on vocals and guitar, Mikko Heinrik Julius "Migé" Paananen on bass, Ville Hermanni Valo on drums, Kai "Hiili" Hiilesmaa on keyboards, and Ike in charge of sound effects. The group's first album, The King of Rock'n Roll, arrived in 2001 and consisted of sleazy hard rock. After nearly a decade of inactivity, Linde and Migé returned for the sequel, 2010's Vol. II (The End Records). This time backed by H.I.M. keyboardist Janne "Burton" Puurtinen and Enochian Crescent drummer Black Vomit Bolton, Vol. II was much darker and violent than their debut, amounting to an industrialized black metal experiment. After a tour with Cradle of Filth, the group remained silent for eight years, during which time H.I.M. released two more albums (Screamworks and Tears on Tape). Daniel Lioneye re-emerged in 2016 for the follow-up, Vol. III, this time recorded by Linde, Migé, Burton, and new drummer Seppo Tarvainen. Again released on The End Records, Vol. III dialed back the aggression of II, presenting a balanced blend of the hard rock of their debut with some of the orchestral metal flourish of their sophomore effort. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia & Neil Z. Yeung