The ethereal trio AURI returns with their long-awaited third studio album III – Candles & Beginnings, released on August 15, 2025.
Driven by the ethereal voice of Johanna Kurkela, the lush soundscapes of Tuomas Holopainen, and the boundless instrumental artistry of Troy Donockley, Auri once again invites you into a world beyond all genre boundaries. Fusing folk, progressive, and symphonic with influences from world music, pop, and the avant-garde, III – Candles & Beginnings promises a sensual listening experience.
The creative process for this new chapter began in 2023, shortly after the completion of NIGHTWISH‘s 2024 album Yesterwynde. While Troy composed in the tranquil Yorkshire countryside, Tuomas and Johanna developed melodies and lyrics in their home in Kitee, Finland—a musical and geographical bridge between worlds.
As the first glimpse into Auri‘s evolving soundscape, the beautifully dark single “Shieldmaiden” is available now, accompanied by a striking, cinematic music video directed by long-time collaborator Ville Lipiäinen.
Troy Donockley comments: “Our new album Auri III is ready for release—and with ‘Shieldmaiden,’ one song has already escaped. It’s a mysterious title, shrouded in its slowly rising power. AURI thrives on mystery and ambiguity—so it’s all good…”
After being a purely studio project up to now, Auri will finally be touring Europe for the first time in 2025. The start of their very first live tour will take place in August 2025.
Here are the tour dates:
August 13, 2025 – Kitee, FI – Kiteesali
August 14, 2025 – Kitee, FI – Kiteesali
August 16, 2025 – Tampere, FI – Tampere-talo
August 20, 2025 – Oulu, FI – Madetojan Sali
August 22, 2025 – Vaasa, FI – Ritz
August 23, 2025 – Helsinki, FI – Helsinki Festival / Huvilateltta (+ Eye Of Melian)
September 12, 2025 – Manchester, UK – RNCM Theatre
September 13, 2025 – Edinburgh, UK – Queen’s Hall
September 15, 2025 – London, UK – Union Chapel
September 16, 2025 – Gent, BE – Theaterzaal Vooruit
September 17, 2025 – Paris, FR – La Cigale (+ Eye Of Melian)
September 18, 2025 – Utrecht, NL – Tivoli Vredenburg (+ Eye Of Melian)
September 20, 2025 – Zurich, CH – Volkshaus
September 21, 2025 – Stuttgart, DE – Liederhalle
September 22, 2025 – Cologne, DE – Theater am Tanzbrunnen (+ Eye Of Melian)
September 23, 2025 – Essen, DE – Lichtburg
September 25, 2025 – Mannheim, DE – Capitol
September 26, 2025 – Munich, DE – St. Matthäuskirche
September 27, 2025 – Vienna, AT – Simm City
September 29, 2025 – Budapest, HU – MOM Kult
September 30, 2025 – Prague, CZ – Hybernia
October 1, 2025 – Berlin, DE – Passionskirche
October 2, 2025 – Leipzig, DE – Kupfersaal
October 4, 2025 – Warsaw, PL – Palladium
October 6, 2025 – Hamburg, DE – Laeiszhalle
October 7, 2025 – Copenhagen, DK – Amager Bio
October 8, 2025 – Stockholm, SE – Nya Cirkus
October 9, 2025 – Oslo, NO – Sentrum Scene
October 10, 2025 – Bergen, NO – Grieghallen
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