What can be better to help me fight the winter blues than some melancholic Gothic metal? And FOR MY PAIN…’s highly anticipated comeback album, “Buried Blue,” is exactly what is needed in this situation. Now, in case some of you forgot who FOR MY PAIN… are – as it’s been two decades since the release of their debut album, “Fallen,” in 2003 – the words ‘autumn’ and ‘harmony’ should be enough to trigger your memory to remember not just the band but also the sound and ambiance of their music. Yep, the Oulu-based six-piece are back at it in full force as their sophomore album, “Buried Blue,” was released on January 9, 2026, via Rainheart Productions.
There’s nothing flashy about this album, nor should there be, as the melodies and icy melancholy ambiance are its lifeblood while Juha Kylmänen’s soulful vocals are its heartbeat. It seems to seamlessly pick up where “Fallen” left off, carrying the same aura of mystery and Gothic beauty but with refreshed vigor and newfound passion that stems from them working and creating music together again (even if Tuomas Holopainen and Petri Sankala are not part of the current lineup). What I find most interesting is that they didn’t really try to revamp their sound like some bands do when it comes to comeback albums. They stuck to their guns, even if they tweaked the formula a bit here and there to sound more mature and modern. In this respect, the first single they released as a sign of life back in April 2024, dark and atmospheric “Recoil Into Darkness,” was a safe bet of connecting the past to the present, given its mix of soft vocal melodies and heavy melodic instrumentals that was bound to make listeners feel wistfully nostalgic.
Second outing, “WitchBitch Elite,” is such a sensual Gothic rocker that rides high on seductive vocals and whose delicate and beautiful chorus contrasts with the rougher verses to deliver an emotional punch, all underpinned by some sparkling keys (though I wonder why they went with that title and not ‘leather queen’). Up next came the oddly uplifting emotive ballad “Time Will Heal Our Wounds” with its rousing chorus, thundering bass lines, sparkling keys, and fiery guitar solo, and a bit later on in 2025, came the collaboration with NIGHTWISH’s Troy Donockley for “Windows Are Weeping.” I have to say that while the uilleann pipes give the track a folky feel that is meant to enhance the emotional delivery, to me the pipes feel out of place on this track and don’t work with its darker ambiance. It is a neat little experiment, no doubt, that pushes the limits of their Gothic sound, but ultimately, it just doesn’t create a cohesive enough sound for me to really like it.
On the bright side, there’s plenty to like and enjoy during the album’s 51 minutes of runtime. And the two-punch attack of “Child of the Fallen” and “Gone Tomorrow” are high on my list, mostly because of Marco Sneck‘s wonderful keys that underscore the main melodies of these tracks but also because of Juha Kylmänen’s vocal delivery, especially on those drawn-out notes that beautifully showcase the rich, velvety quality of his voice. Then there’s the atmospheric track “Tether,” which features the ethereal vocals of Riina Rinkinen (SILENTIUM) that just give the track emotional depth and many sonic textures. Elsewhere on the album, opening track, “Hungry for Desire,” impresses with some nice dynamics and a catchy chorus, well balanced by some great guitar riffs and subdued keys while later album tracks like “Isle of Solitude,” “Black Calla Lilies,” and “Black-Out Sun” are a bit heavier and more aggressive, thus showcasing how diverse the album is.
All-in-all, “Buried Blue” is essential listening material for Gothic metal enthusiasts, as it captures all of FOR MY PAIN…’s (and the Finnish Gothic metal scene’s) trademarks from darker atmosphere and melancholy to enticing melodies and emotions galore without sacrificing the heaviness factor in their favor. It’s a blend that is as haunting as it is beautiful, enhanced by a crystal-clear production that puts “Buried Blue” a step or even two above their debut. Moreover, it can be seen as a powerful statement of intent from six musicians who have poured their hearts out in the studio piecing this album together with care and passion. As a lover of the darker side of metal, this album will probably end up on heavy rotation in my playlist as it’s chock full of great moments which give it a pretty high replay value.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
- Hungry for Desire
- Windows Are Weeping (feat. Troy Donockley)
- WitchBitch Elite
- Child of the Fallen
- Gone Tomorrow
- Time Will Heal Our Wounds
- Tether (feat. Riina Rinkinen)
- Isle of Solitude
- Recoil into Darkness
- Black Calla Lilies
- Burnt-Out Sun
Lineup
Juha Kylmänen – Vocals
Lauri Tuohimaa – Guitars
Olli-Pekka Törrö – Guitars
Altti Veteläinen – Bass
Marco Sneck – Keyboards
Ari-Matti Pohjola – Drums
Label
Rainheart Productions
