Eye Of Melian releases enchanting take on Bruce Dickinson’s ‘Tear of the Dragon’

EYE OF MELIAN delve into a metal classic with the third single off their upcoming album Forest Of Forgetting, out on February 20, 2026 via Napalm Records. EYE OF MELIAN reimagines “Tears Of The Dragon”, the captivating emotional hymn Bruce Dickinson released after his departure from Iron Maiden. The Tolkien-inspired brainchild of Martijn Westerholt (Delain) and Johanna Kurkela (Auri, Tuomas Holopainen) transforms the iconic song, originally featured on Dickinson’s second solo album, Balls To Picasso (1994), into an enchanting, cinematic experience. EYE OF MELIAN blend lush symphonic soundscapes with Kurkela’s gentle, ethereal vocals, transporting listeners into a realm of pure fantasy.

Mikko P. Mustonen about “Tears of the Dragon”:

“I grew up listening to this song, but it wasn’t until I got older that I truly felt the weight of its lyrics. I’ve always loved the fantasy reference – even something as powerful as a dragon must eventually yield and let its emotions break free.”

EYE OF MELIAN open the gates to a different world with their new album Forest Of Forgetting, out February 20^th, 2026 via Napalm Records. Named after a powerful primordial singing spirit from the world of J. R. R. Tolkien, EYE OF MELIAN draws inspiration from the master of fantasy and expands on his ethereal concept. Created by Delain’s Martijn Westerholt and featuring Auri’s Johanna Kurkela as a lead vocalist, EYE OF MELIAN’s Forest Of Forgetting is a masterclass in symphonic songwriting so whimsical the real world fades away.

With this opulent album, EYE OF MELIAN extends an invitation to faraway lands full of wonder. Forest Of Forgetting unfolds as quite the opposite of its title: utterly unforgettable.

Martijn Westerholt about Forest Of Forgetting:

“This album has been a really inspiring process – both for me as a songwriter and in what each of us brought to it. It has a lot of what EYE OF MELIAN is known for: cinematic, score-like arrangements, minor chords, and those epic, mysterious atmospheres. The lyrics tie everything together; they bring out the worlds and stories that the music hints at and make the whole thing feel complete. The collaboration between us on this record felt very natural. We’ve really found our way of working as a team, and I’m proud of what we created together.”

Order Your Copy of Forest Of Forgetting NOW!

Forest Of Forgetting tracklisting:

1. Of Willows and Shadows
2. Symphonia Arcana
3. Child of Twilight
4. Elixir of Night (feat. Patty Gurdy and Troy Donockley)
5. Blackthorn Winter
6. Lady of Light
7. Dawn of Avatars (feat. Patty Gurdy and Troy Donockley)
8. Forest of Forgetting
9. The Buried Well
10. The Mirror
11. Nepenthe
12. Tears of the Dragon (Bruce Dickinson Cover)

EYE OF MELIAN Live 2026

20.02.26 NL – Zwolle / Hedon – album release show 

Forest of Forgetting Over Finland
10.03.26 FI – Kitee / Kiteesali
12.03.26 FI – Espoo / Sellosali
13.03.26 FI – Kouvola / Pato-klubi
18.03.26 FI – Rovaniemi / Korundi
19.03.26 FI – Kuusamo / Kuusamo-talo
20.03.26 FI – Oulu / Kaupunginteatteri
21.03.26 FI – Raahe / Raahesali
24.03.26 FI – Helsinki / Aleksanterin Teatteri
26.03.26 FI – Turku / Turun Linnan Kuninkaansali
27.03.26 FI – Kuopio / Maxim
28.03.26 FI – Tampere / Tuulensuun Palatsi 

EYE OF MELIAN are:          
Martijn Westerholt – Keys and Orchestra arrangements
Johanna Kurkela – Vocals and Violin
Robin La Joy – Backing Vocals
Mikko P. Mustonen – Keys and Orchestra arrangements