Out August 15th; Video For "Shieldmaiden" Debuts

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PHOTO CREDIT: Pete Voutilainen

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 Lipiainen.

Troy Donockley comments: "Our new album b>Auri III 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" ON KNAC.COM HERE

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 Zurich, 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. Matthauskirche
• 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

TICKETLINK: linktr.ee/auri.band