# AURI Announce New Album III – CANDLES & BEGINNINGS + Watch The Video For ‘Shieldmaiden’

**New Music** — On Your Markus  
**Published:** 16 May 2025  
**Author:** Markus Hamence  
**Source:** https://onyourmarkus.au/new-music-releases/auri-announce-new-album-iii-candles-beginnings-watch-the-video-for-shieldmaiden/

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The ethereal trio **AURI** returns with their long-awaited third studio album, ***III – Candles & Beginnings***, set for release on **August 15, 2025**.

![](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/23179/image002-9.jpg)

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**.

![](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/23178/image003-6.jpg)

**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](https://nuclearblast.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f52be22febdeb73950b267672&id=70805367c3&e=8eb7da516a)**  
**LISTEN TO ‘SHIELDMAIDEN’: ****[https://auri.bfan.link/shieldmaiden](https://nuclearblast.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f52be22febdeb73950b267672&id=16ca13325f&e=8eb7da516a)**  
**PRE-ORDER THE ALBUM: ****[https://auri.bfan.link/iii-candles-beginnings](https://nuclearblast.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f52be22febdeb73950b267672&id=bb112d9386&e=8eb7da516a)**

The album comes in following formats:  
CD Jewelcase, 20-page booklet  
CD Earbook, 36-pages booklet – limited edition!  
2 LP Gold, 16-page booklet

**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

**AURI** online:

**[https://linktr.ee/auri.band](https://linktr.ee/auri.band)**  
**[https://www.backstagerockshop.com/collections/auri](https://nuclearblast.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f52be22febdeb73950b267672&id=2643b7b7e8&e=8eb7da516a)**

![](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/originals/23181/auri525.jpg)