Project with two members of the popular Finnish Metal Banda Symphonic Metal offers ethereal music born of a peaceful work environment
“I really like to work in a group where there are no egos, it’s so rare – I don’t think I have experienced it outside this kingdom”it says Holopainen Tuomaskeyboardist worldwide famous for his work in charge of Nightwishwhen talking about… the Aurihis other band formed in 2017 and with only three albums released. The musician’s statement, even, found echo in Troy Donockleymulti-instrumentalist that is also part of the two initiatives. The singer Johanna KurkelaHolopainen’s wife and unique unrelated to symphonic metal flashes, completes the formation.
During the interview given by the trio to Rolling Stone BrazilThere was no mood for addressing Nightwish issues since 2023 in tours gap and owner of a trajectory filled with conflicts and training changes. The chat vibe about Auri was so good that everyone seemed interested just talking about the group, which its members avoid defining as a “parallel project.” “At the moment, it’s our main band, because our biggest vehicle is in break at the moment, and it was never something parallel”clarifies Holopainen, responsible for the most blunt responses. Donockley has more reflective approach, while Kurkela, charming, exudes care and delicacy in her manifestations.
The trio, with more ethereal sound and directed to progressive folk-without any remnants of the Nightwish metal-releases the album on Friday 15 III – Candles & Beginnings. Musically, it has a very similar proposal to previous albums, with atmospheric melodies, very characteristic experiments of northern Europe’s folk and very orthodox vocalizations of Johanna. The Songs “Shieldmaiden” and “Museum of Childhood” They left as singles and stand out tracks like “Blakey Ridge” – “You can’t dance to her sound,” says Kurkela – and the closing “The Boy Travelling With Hist Mother”by far the longest track in the history of the group.
See this photo on InstagramA publication shared by Auri (@auri.band)
The whole process of composition was conducted at a distance between Finland, where Tuomas and Johanna live, and England, Troy’s homeland. And they ensure that the Nightwish gap has no influence on the creation of the material. “We already knew two years before we started doing Yesterwynde that there would be a break. And we knew at Auri, long before we started working with this album, which the album would be followed by tour ”Holopainen says, mentioning the trio’s first career excursion, scheduled to take place by Europe between September and October.
Members, by the way, clarify that even with an interesting productivity for a band that is not their main work – three albums in seven years is an average acceptable to the present day – the fate wanted the activities to be less intense. The keyboardist tells: “At the time of the first album [homônimo, 2018]Nightwish was very busy and couldn’t take a tour after just one album. Then the pandemic happened, so we had no chance of taking a tour for the second [II — Those We Don’t Speak Of, 2021]. And now, finally, after the third album, we have the time and material to realize the dream of exciting ”.
In addition to the three official members, Auri brings together III – Candles & Beginnings the contributions of Frank Van Essen (strings), JONAS PAP (cello), Juho Kanervo (low) and a Nightwish colleague, Kai Hahto (battery). “They will always be part of the base of Auri’s song. Frank makes all the strings through a fabulous multi -charged technique. It turns out to be a different size string orchestra”points Donockley.
The agenda is practically free for 2026, but musicians say they should hold a festivals tour next summer Europe, winter here in the southern hemisphere. So far, nothing from Brazil or South America in the itinerary. “There is interest and we would like it, but it will not happen soon, unfortunately”dug tuomas.
See this photo on InstagramA publication shared by Auri (@auri.band)
No matter what roll, the weather is great. Reaches the point of Johanna scoring that III – Candles & Beginnings and “Our best album so far”. “We have been together for over ten years and there has never been a second of discomfort within this group”complete Holopainen, perhaps remembering the layoffs of members, especially singers, of their other band.
A musician in the words of the others
What Troy Donockley and Tuomas Holopainen have to say about Johanna Kurkela
Troy:“Johanna never fails to play our hearts with her tones and her beautiful expression. She always surprises us and inspires us too. We like to inspire ourselves with our musical directions”.
Tuomas:“It also has an unorthodox approach with harmonies and creation of melodies and effects. We love it, it’s really interesting and unique.”.
What Tuomas Holopainen has to say about Troy Donockley
Tuomas:“He’s ok. [Arranca risos de Troy] It’s so harmonious, because you never have to be afraid of what you get from it. It is always brilliant. I really like to work in a group where there are no egos. It’s so rare. I don’t think I have experienced it outside this kingdom. ”
What Troy Donockley and Johanna Kurkela have to say about Tuomas Holopainen
Troy:“He really thinks he played on this new album, but it’s not true! [Risos] You see that our dear Tuomas really doesn’t care: he only does what he has to do and is always pure and wonderful. Upon hearing the files they send, I immediately recognize who did what. This does this even more special. It’s amazing that we know each other’s style of music, and then we unite them and it becomes ours. It’s a fabulous thing ”.
Johanna:“The songs on this album are incredibly beautiful. These are songs that are so continuous”.
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+++ Read more: Other interviews conducted by journalist Igor Miranda to Rolling Stone Brazil
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Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
