Eye of Melian teams up with Nightwish’s Troy Donockley and Patty Gurdy for new single

Mere days before the release of Forest Of Forgetting, EYE OF MELIAN shares another glimpse into the new album. “Dawn of Avatars” features Troy Donockley of symphonic metal frontrunners Nightwish on flute and uilleann pipes, as well as hurdy-gurdy enchantress Patty Gurdy, both of them enriching the project that is the brainchild of Martijn Westerholt of DELAIN, fronted by Finnish vocalist Johanna Kurkela (Auri, Tuomas Holopainen). Inspired by the works of J. R. R. Tolkien, EYE OF MELIAN weaves an ethereal tapestry of melody and emotion through lush, movie score-like sound, conjuring vivid, otherworldly storyscapes in the listener’s mind—symphonic masterpiece “Dawn of Avatars” is no exception. The accompanying album, Forest Of Forgetting, will be out this coming Friday, February 20, 2026 via Napalm Records.

Johanna Kurkela about “Dawn of Avatars”:

“‘Dawn of Avatars’ is one of my favorite songs, on an album full of my favorite songs! Enhanced by the enchanting magic of Patty Gurdy and Troy Donockley.”

EYE OF MELIAN open the gates to a different world with their new album Forest Of Forgetting, out February 20, 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