Spotify recommended Auri's self-titled first album to me earlier this week. I saw Tuomas Holopainen in the background photo, along with a beautiful young lady who I would later learn is his wife, Johanna Kurkela, and Troy Donockley, a fellow Nightwish alum, so I took a chance on it. I had zero expectations, since I'm not typically into these guys' side projects like that.
No, it's not metal, but it's actually really good. It's Celtic-style folk music mixed with cinematic/theatrical pop. Johanna has a lovely, gentle singing voice here. This music seems to have a calming effect on me, making it good for my aforementioned long daily commute. I really like it. Night 13 is probably my favorite song from it so far. I'll have to check out their second album (
II - Those We Don't Speak Of) as well.
The Space Between
Night 13