EYE OF MELIAN unveils the second single off their upcoming album Forest Of Forgetting, out on February 20, 2026 via Napalm Records. ‘Symphonia Arcana”‘unfolds with mystical emotion, dynamic shifts, and dramatic orchestral beauty that captivates from start to finish. Unlike any other, the enchanting Tolkien-inspired project founded by Delain mastermind Martijn Westerholt blends symphonic, movie score-like grandeur with singer Johanna Kurkela’s angelic vocals, conjuring an otherworldly, fantasy-inspired realm to lose oneself in. Completed by orchestral arranger Mikko P. Mustonen and backing vocalist and lyricist Robin La Joy, “Symphonia Arcana” serves as a mesmerizing, sonic portal to the lush gardens of Lórien.
Robin La Joy about “Symphonia Arcana”:
“When I first heard the sweeping symphonic soundscape that is ‘Symphonia Arcana’, it felt as though the music itself was calling me into another world. Its lush, orchestral sound became like a enchanting spell, unfolding into an autumn wood of vibrant, otherworldly color. The lyrics arose from following that call — letting the music, and the longing within it, lead me beyond the veil into mystery and renewal.”
EYE OF MELIAN open the gates to a different world with their new album Forest Of Forgetting, out February 20th, 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.
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.”
Completing the all-star lineup on their debut with Napalm Records are orchestral arranger Mikko P. Mustonen and backing vocalist and lyricist Robin La Joy, blessing twelve lush compositions with immortal life. Mesmerizing from the first gentle notes of opening track “Of Willows And Shadows”, Forest of Forgetting weaves otherworldly piano melodies and epic strings around angelic vocals worthy of the powerful Valar themselves. “Child Of Twilight” deepens EYE OF MELIAN’s dreamy and bombastic Hollywood movie score approach, carefully building up an exceptionally enchanting atmosphere that carries on into the equally cinematic “Blackthorn Winter”, ever so elegantly broadening the view into the alluring realms the band is melodizing. “Dawn Of Avatars” features Nightwish multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley on flute and uilleann pipes, as well as hurdy-gurdy fairy Patty Gurdy, before EYE OF MELIAN turns in the direction of heavy metal with a charming rendition of Bruce Dickinson’s anthem “Tears Of The Dragon” (originally released on Balls To Picasso in 1994 after the singer had left Iron Maiden). Forest of Forgetting also comes with all its tracks as instrumental versions to dwell in the impressive orchestrals alone.
Forest of Forgetting tracklisting:
- Of Willows and Shadows
- Symphonia Arcana
- Child of Twilight
- Elixir of Night (feat. Patty Gurdy and Troy Donockley)
- Blackthorn Winter
- Lady of Light
- Dawn of Avatars (feat. Patty Gurdy and Troy Donockley)
- Forest of Forgetting
- The Buried Well
- The Mirror
- Nepenthe
- Tears of the Dragon (Bruce Dickinson Cover)
Order Your Copy of Forest of Forgetting NOW
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’s debut album “Legends of Light” has been self-released 21th. June 2022 and features guest appearances of:
Troy Donockley – flutes and pipes, LEAH – featuring vocals, Shir-Ran Yinon – violins and violas on Doorway of Night, Under the Grey Sky, The Bell, Rainfall
Our review of “Legends of Light” can be read HERE.
EYE OF MELIAN are:
Martijn Westerholt – Keys and Orchestral arrangements
Johanna Kurkela – Vocals and Violin
Robin La Joy – Backing Vocals
Mikko P Mustonen – Keys and Orchestral arrangements
EYE OF MELIAN online:
INSTAGRAM
FACEBOOK
WEBSITE