AURI announce new album 'III - Candles & Beginnings' + watch the video for 'Shieldmaiden'

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…"

WATCH THE VIDEO FOR 'SHIELDMAIDEN': https://youtu.be/BiRz_u77qwY

LISTEN TO 'SHIELDMAIDEN': https://auri.bfan.link/shieldmaiden
PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM: https://auri.bfan.link/iii-candles-beginnings

The album comes in following formats:
CD Jewelcase, 20-page booklet
CD Earbook, 36-pages booklet - limited edition!
2 LP Gold, 16-page booklet
2 LP Green/White/Dark Green Splatter, 16-page booklet

Having been a studio endeavour in the past, AURI is finally going on tour with their first- ever live European trek kicking off in August 2025. Check out the dates:

AURI - A Trail Of Candles & Beginnings
13.08. FI Kitee, Kiteesali
14.08. FI Kitee, Kiteesali
16.08. FI Tampere, Tampere-talo
20.08. FI Oulu, Madetojan Sali
22.08. FI Vaasa, Ritz
23.08. FI Helsinki, Helsinki Festival / Huvilateltta (+ Eye Of Melian)
12.09. UK Manchester, RNCM Theatre
13.09. UK Edinburgh, Queen's Hall
15.09. UK London, Union Chapel
16.09. BE Gent, Theaterzaal Vooruit
17.09. FR Paris, La Cigale (+ Eye Of Melian)
18.09. NL Utrecht, Tivoli Vredenburg (+ Eye Of Melian)
20.09. CH Zürich, Volkshaus
21.09. DE Stuttgart, Liederhalle
22.09. DE Cologne, Theater am Tanzbrunnen (+ Eye Of Melian)
23.09. DE Essen, Lichtburg
25.09. DE Mannheim, Capitol
26.09. DE Munich, St. Matthäuskirche
27.09. AT Vienna, Simm City
29.09. HU Budapest, MOM Kult
30.09. CZ Prague, Hybernia
01.10. DE Berlin, Passionskirche
02.10. DE Leipzig, Kupfersaal
04.10. PL Warsaw, Palladium
06.10. DE Hamburg, Laeiszhalle
07.10. DK Copenhagen, Amager Bio
08.10. SE Stockholm, Nya Cirkus
09.10. NO Oslo, Sentrum Scene
10.10. NO Bergen, Grieghallen

TICKET LINK: linktr.ee/auri.band

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

https://linktr.ee/auri.band

PHOTO CREDIT: Pete Voutilainen

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