Fallen is a debut album for these guys but believe me, they are no beginners. The six members of For My Pain are journeyman musicians having played with the likes of Nightwish, Eternal Tears of Sorrow etc.

Fallen consists of ten, count them, out of ten wonderful songs, melodic and overflowing with hooks. The music is heavy from a guitar and rhythm perspective but the keyboards by Nightwish's Tuomas Holopainen and the female singing and backing singing along with pleasant vocalist stylings of Juha Kylmanen, seem to mitigate against the heaviness to provide a nice even keeled presentation that is really quite accessible.

This is an album with no filler that I could detect. It's a winner and a solid five stars.


The beauty of melancholy on an audio CD.   March 15, 2009
Squash 'N' Squeak (The Darkest Regions of Outer Space)
The fact that this band, For My Pain, was a collaborative effort between Eternal Tears of Sorrow and Nightwish was more than enough to catch my interest. I'm a huge fans of gothic/symphonic metal and the idea of 2 of those bands joining forces is orgasmic in itself. The result is just as amazing.

Fallen kicks off with My Wound is Deeper than Yours. Despite the emo-sounding title, it's actually one of the best songs of the album and is pure emotional turmoil. It has a powerful chorus and and aggressive, crunchy guitars, and the whole album is like that as well. However, there is more than enough diversity to keep the listener interested. I even hear some Paradise Lost influence in the ending song, Tomorrow is A Closed Gate. Nightwish's Tuomas Holopainen shines on tracks such as Dancer in the Dark, Sea of Emotions, and Broken Days. He sets the entire mood with his epic, orchestral-sounding keys. Juha Kylmaenen of Reflexion (another great Finnish band) is a great vocalist who can sound sorrowful when he needs to (Broken Days) and aggressive and gritty as well (Dear Carniwhore). All of the members, however, are very talented and have made what is easily one of the greatest albums I have ever listened to.

Highlights include My Wound is Deeper Than Yours, Dancer In the Dark, Rapture of the Lust, Broken Days, and my personal favorite, Autumn Harmony. But a few amazing songs don't make a great album. Every song should be amazing, and every song is on this record. If you've ever enjoyed anything by Eternal Tears of Sorrow, Nightwish, or anything related to those bands, For My Pain is the band is the band for you, and their debut, Fallen, is perfect ear candy. Highly recommended.