AURI, Featuring Nightwish Members, Announces New Album ‘III – Candles & Beginnings’ and First-Ever Tour
Get ready for a mesmerizing journey! AURI, the ethereal project featuring Nightwish's Tuomas Holopainen and Troy Donockley, along with Johanna Kurkela, is set to release their third studio album, 'III - Candles & Beginnings', on August 15th via Nuclear Blast Records. But that's not all – the band is also embarking on their first-ever European tour!
What Makes AURI Special?
AURI isn't just another side project; it's a unique blend of folk, progressive, and symphonic music, with hints of world, pop, and avant-garde elements. Driven by Kurkela's enchanting vocals and the instrumental prowess of Holopainen and Donockley, AURI creates soundscapes that defy genre boundaries.
'III - Candles & Beginnings': A Glimpse into the Soundscape
The creative process for the new album began shortly after Nightwish completed their 2024 album "Yesterwynde." While Donockley composed in Yorkshire, Holopainen and Kurkela crafted melodies and lyrics in Finland.
The first single, "Shieldmaiden," is a hauntingly beautiful track accompanied by a cinematic video directed by Ville Lipiäinen. Donockley describes it as "a mysterious song, obscured by its own slow rising power. AURI thrives on mystery and ambiguity so all is well…"
Listen to "Shieldmaiden" here:
The album will be available in various formats, including CD Jewelcase, CD Earbook (limited edition!), 2LP Gold, and 2LP Green/White/Dark Green Splatter.
A Dream Realized: AURI's First European Tour
After being a studio endeavor, AURI is finally hitting the road! Their first-ever live European tour kicks off in August, giving fans a chance to experience their magical music live. Check out the tour dates below:
August 13 – Kitee, Finland – Kiteesali
August 14 – Kitee, Finland – Kiteesali
August 16 – Tampere, Finland – Tampere-talo
August 20 – Oulu, Finland – Madetojan Sali
August 22 – Vaasa, Finland – Ritz
August 23 – Helsinki, Finland – Helsinki Festival / Huvilateltta (+ Eye Of Melian)
September 12 – Manchester, UK – RNCM Theatre
September 13 – Edinburgh, UK – Queen ́s Hall
September 15 – London, UK – Union Chapel
September 16 – Gent, Belgium – Theaterzaal Vooruit
September 17 – Paris, France – La Cigale (+ Eye Of Melian)
September 18 – Utrecht, Netherlands – Tivoli Vredenburg (+ Eye Of Melian)
September 20 – Zürich, Switzerland – Volkshaus
September 21 – Stuttgart, Germany – Liederhalle
September 22 – Cologne, Germany – Theater am Tanzbrunnen (+ Eye Of Melian)
September 23 – Essen, Germany – Lichtburg
September 25 – Mannheim, Germany – Capitol
September 26 – Munich, Germany – St. Matthäuskirche
September 27 – Vienna, Austria – Simm City
September 29 – Budapest, Hungary – MOM Kult
September 30 – Prague, Czech Republic – Hybernia
October 1 – Berlin, Germany – Passionskirche
October 2 – Leipzig, Germany – Kupfersaal
October 4 – Warsaw, Poland – Palladium
October 6 – Hamburg, Germany – Laeiszhalle
October 7 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Amager Bio
October 8 – Stockholm, Sweden – Nya Cirkus
October 9 – Oslo, Norway – Sentrum Scene
October 10 – Bergen, Norway – Grieghallen
What to Expect from AURI?
As Donockley said in a 2018 interview, the spirit of AURI isn't that different from Nightwish: "Metal is an attitude... the metal fans are open-minded... So I think the NIGHTWISH connection is inevitable because of Tuomas and I are in it, so there are those elements. But I think the spirit is the same as NIGHTWISH. It does cover a lot of the same themes, it's just not obviously NIGHTWISH."
Are you ready to delve into the enchanting world of AURI? What are your expectations for 'III - Candles & Beginnings'? Share your thoughts in the comments below!