Auri announce new album ‘III – Candles & Beginnings’ and share first single ‘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 

TICKETLINK: 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