For My Pain - Buried Blue - review
For My Pain - Buried Blue - review
Tracklist
01. Hungry For Desire02. Windows Are Weeping [feat. Troy Donockley]
03. Witch Bitch Elite
04. Child Of The Fallen
05. Gone Tomorrow
06. Time Will Heal Our Wounds
07. Tether [feat. Riina Rinkinen]
08. Isle Of Solitude
09. Recoil Into Darkness
10. Black Calla Lilies
11. Burnt-Out Sun
A review by
AndyMetalFreak January 21, 2026
For My Pain is a Finnish gothic metal band formed in 1999 by Eternal Tears Of Sorrow members Altti Veteläinen and Petri Sankala, who wanted to start a side project together. In 2003, they released their debut album Fallen, which during the golden reign of Finland's expanding Suomi metal scene received a positive reception. However, their career looked like it would only be short-lived, as they disbanded two years later in 2005. This led to a lengthy 18-year hiatus, from which they made a miraculous return in 2023. A staggering 23 years have passed by since the release of their debut, but now they finally follow it up with the highly anticipated sophomore Buried Blue.
Suomi metal is a richly vibrant and diverse scene generally known for its dark, seductive wintery soundscapes, enchanting melodies, and passionate emotive themes centred around love, death, pain, depression and solitude. With a common sound derived from heavy and gothic metal, but incorporating influences from the likes of black, death, and symphonic metal over the years, the scene is now recognized across the globe, and has become a cultural asset for Finland thanks to bands such as Charon, Sentenced, HIM, and of course, For My Pain, who really captured the true essence and spirit of Suomi metal back on their debut. Now they hope to carry on that legacy while still living up to that sorrowful name of theirs.
The album generally hovers between heavy metal, gothic metal, and hard rock, and is remarkably light, containing infectious melodies and hooks left right and centre, making it accessible enough even for those who say they despise all things metal-related in music, although it may lack appeal for those seeking a more ferocious type of metal. The album is undeniably consistent, with more than half of the 11 emotionally charged songs having the potential to become a hit single.
The riffs are punchy in tone and not short of a catchy melody or two, and the solos are memorable despite only being unleashed in short bursts. The synths vary from enchanted twinkling melodies to mournful piano keys, and play a pivotal role alongside the guitars rather than a supportive one. The guitars and synths are then led by a mostly upbeat rhythm section. Various other instruments sparsely feature, such as wind instruments on the song "Windows Are Weeping", adding a charming folkish touch similar to that often been achieved by Amorphis.
Instrumentation aside, the vocals are quite diverse; the lead singing is passionate, emotive, and sometimes haunting in the style of gothic rock, while a variety of backing vocalists embrace the choruses, helping uplift the mood. The lyrics are both evocative and profound, which has always been a standout feature for Suomi metal.
Buried Blue is a comeback album many have anticipated for so long, for me though the wait just feels a touch overdue. They've clearly started right from where they left off, and there's a real sense of nostalgia upon their return, but at the same time Finnish metal has progressed forward, and this approach feels somewhat outdated due to the extremely high standards of what's being released by bands from this nation right now. Although many will be eager for this band to stick around and continue on as they have been after releasing what is no doubt a solid sophomore effort, I don't believe it quite matches the quality of the debut, so such a continuation could well mean regression for them rather than progression.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 7 |
| Songwriting: | 7 |
| Originality: | 6 |
| Production: | 8 |
Written on 21.01.2026 by
Written on 21.01.2026 by
An honest review that you don't necessarily have to agree with. Comments
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Posts: 64430
Good review, like it told album what makes you be 20 years old again, whit out osin in the bones and onrvweek hang over after 6 beers.
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