Some bands like to deal with sagas maybe because they have the intent to seem eternal. Well, we all know this is, to some extent, impossible, but whatever. Or, maybe, they just like to number their albums as a way of telling the same story, or, even better, in a way to a continuous and endless storytelling. The second sounds more appealing to me. From where I am standing, eternity sounds so eternal, too much time.
“III – Candles & Beginnings” follows the saga of 2021s “II – Those We Don’t Speak Of“ and 2018s “Auri.” I cannot say much about their debut album, but by what I have heard from “II – Those We Don’t Speak Of” and this new album, the band puts into music natural landscapes creating an ethereal atmosphere of mystery and spiritual search. To some extent, Auri try to recreate the music that rocked their ancestors in the old north by updating it with modern instruments. This is something that takes them very near the Prog Rock bands as Renaissance with a prone with the classic sonancy via acoustic instruments plus folky instruments.
The press release presents Auri as “propelled by the unique and celestial voice of Johanna Kurkela, the magical textures of Nightwish mastermind Tuomas Holopainen and the almost unlimited musical palette of Nigtwish multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley, Auri have presented a world to be unlocked with the senses, blending folk, progressive and symphonic elements, world music, pop and avantgarde.” I tend to agree with this concept, however, maybe, Auri are the band where they can explore the musical horizons Nightwish cannot because, if my dear child of the night pay close attention, it is possible to listen to Auri’s music in Nightwish, however, not so open and not so constantly.
“III – Candles & Beginnings” commences with “The Invisible Gossamer Bridge” presenting to the fan the unique and celestial voice of Johanna Kurkela in a celestial vocal performing of about one minute and a half. The melody is followed by a bagpipe that repeats the vocal melodies saving the same intent of being as celestial as an angel. Suddenly, although subtly, a guitar will be followed by a drumming, all of them trying not to disturb Johanna Kurkela, what, between you and me, would a disaster. Then comes “The Apparition Speaks” whose beginning is on the same page as the previous track. The difference is that now the guitar gets rougher and more prominent. My guess is that the apparition the tittle says is represented by the guitar. Following track “I Will Have Language” commences with some keyboards in a more standard Prog Rock way where the guitars make some noise or effects to make the atmosphere darker as an introduction to the lady’s voice, which, by the way, is where all the album is based. But the track that really called my attention, and which I guess represents the album better, was “Oh, Lovely Oddities” with its Tim Burton mood and atmosphere. Well, I guess all the album has a Tim Burton thing.
In “III – Candles & Beginnings” each instrument plays a part on the story and each track is a story told by Johanna Kurkela’s celestial voice. Well, that’s my understanding. I may be wrong, I may be right.
Auri “III – Candles & Beginnings” was released on August 15th via Nuclear Blast Records.
Track Listing:
1. The Invisible Gossamer Bridge
2. The Apparition Speaks
3. I Will Have Language
4. Oh, Lovely Oddities
5. Libraries Of Love
6. Blakey Ridge
7. Helios
8. Museum Of Childhood
9. Shieldmaiden
10. A Boy Travelling With His Mother
Watch “Museum of Childhood” official music video here:
I’m just a lucky guy who has chosen metal to live with for a long time. Metal changed my life for good. It made me more confident and stronger. Metalheads are naturally far away from the mass mediocrity and don’t accept impostures from anybody else. Metal is more than music, it’s a life changing oportunity!