The ethereal trio AURI returns with their long-awaited third studio album, III - Candles & Beginnings, set for release on August 15, 2025.

Propelled by the celestial voice of Johanna Kurkela, the lush sonic landscapes of Tuomas Holopainen, and the boundless instrumental artistry of Troy Donockley, AURI once again invites listeners into a world that defies genre. Fusing elements of folk, progressive and symphonic music with touches of world, pop, and avant-garde, III - Candles & Beginnings promises an immersive journey for the senses.

The creative process for this new chapter began in 2023, shortly after the completion of Nightwish’s 2024 opus Yesterwynde. While Troy composed in the serene landscapes of Yorkshire, Tuomas and Johanna crafted melodies and lyrics from their home base in Kitee, Finland—bridging worlds both musically and geographically.

As a first glimpse into AURI’s evolving soundscape, the hauntingly beautiful lead single 'Shieldmaiden' is available now, accompanied by a stunning cinematic video directed by longtime collaborator Ville Lipiäinen.

Troy Donockley comments: "Our new album Auri lll is waiting to be released, and one of its songs, ‘Shieldmaiden’, has already escaped. It’s a mysterious song, obscured by its own slow rising power.
Auri thrives on mystery and ambiguity so all is well…"

CD/ 2LP:

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

LINE-UP:

Johanna Kurkela | voices, violin, viola, keys
Tuomas Holopainen | keys & backing voices
Troy Donockley | guitars, bouzouki, mandola, uilleann pipes, low whistles, aerophone, bodhran, keys, voices