When Eye of Melian brought their “Forest of Forgetting over Finland 2026″ tour to Aleksanterin teatteri in Helsinki, the evening felt less like a concert and more like stepping into another world. In support of their latest album, that was released only a month before, the performance transformed the historic venue into a living fantasy landscape, enhanced by a magical stage setting and mesmerizing visuals that perfectly complemented the score-like music.

At the center stood Johanna Kurkela, whose stellar vocals and magnetic presence guided us through the night like a storyteller leading a dream. The vocalists on her side a perfect match with her, their chemistry and shared emotion adding warmth and depth to it all. While often more in the shadows, the musicians were the true backbone of the experience. The band’s mastermind Martijn Westerholt shaped the sound from behind one of the pianos, joined by Mikko P. Mustonen on the other piano and the ever-impressive Kai Hahto on live drums.

The result was nearly two hours spent drifting through orchestral fantasy, emotional crescendos and moments of quiet empowerment. A rare concert experience that felt immersive, intimate and utterly unforgettable.