The avid-Tolkien-readers quartet, Eye of Melian, is finally dropping their second album, Forest of Forgetting. It’s less of a "group of songs" and more of a full cinematic experience. For Tolkien fans, fantasy scores, or just music that feels like a warm hug in a cold, mystical world, Eye of Melian is summoned the forces of nature and Metal Imperium had the chance to talk about what we can expect of their album, set to be released on the 20th of February of 2026.
M.I. - Hope your holidays went well. New year, new album coming out in February. What can we expect of Forest of Forgetting, compared with Legends of Light?
That’s a good question. I always make a joke that this is a good album, but the previous one was much better.
I genuinely think this new album explores new depths, because in the first one, we’re still getting to know the artistic process taking place. In the second album, we have already discovered how we can work and deepen that process. I believe it’s a bit deeper; it has more darkness, but also lighter.
M.I. - Can we say it’s a more mature album?
Yes, I recently had an interview with someone who has listened to the album, and he stated the same. That is a great compliment, thank you!
M.I. - Music tends to heal, encourage or even help us. In your opinion, what does EoM’s music convey to us, while listeners?
I hope we can reach out to people who are struggling with their daily and mundane lifestyle. Everybody, in their lives, has their mundane feelings, but I hope with our music we can manage people to escape a little bit with our music.
M.I. - Tolkien left us a huge legacy whereas many heavy metal bands draw inspiration from him. However, EoM takes Tolkien’s literature and lore to a whole new level combining it with nature.
All four of us are Tolkien fans. Yet, we have two walking encyclopedias in the group.
They are Mikko and Robin, my wife (Robin) writes a big part of the lyrics, alongside Johanna, but it was Robin who came up with the name. She drew inspiration from the book The Silmarillion, and a lot of inspiration comes from there.
Both her and Mikko started talking about it, merging those details from the Tolkien universe into music. We all love Tolkien’s literature, but the real nerds are Mikko and Robin, where a big part of the inspiration comes from. Johanna also told me that she puts a little bit of personal inspiration in the lyrics, in a hidden way.
M.I. - You’re also bringing a few invited musicians and guests for the upcoming album, such as Patty Gurdy, Troy Donockley. Can you share with us the experience of how it was working with them?
With Troy, I have already known him since a decade ago or probably even longer. It’s always a joy working with him, and it feels like music takes off artistically. He encompasses a lot of freedom when playing the flute, which allows him to bring some extra magic to Eye of Melian’s music.
With Patty, I saw a video of her with Marko Hietala, and, of course, I have known Marko for a very long time. Patty, as a person, artistically speaking, she’s very talented. I cannot remember how I contacted her, probably via Napalm Records, but I sent her two songs, and the result was wonderful.
M.I. - Two songs are already out. Blackthorn Winter is also sung in Finnish. Is the Suomi lore and tradition quite rich and similar to Tolkien’s Middle Earth?
Absolutely! It’s well-known for the Tolkien connoisseurs that he drew inspiration from Finnish lore. He literally studied the language, and it’s quite a coincidence we work with Finnish musicians, but it’s even more amazing the connection with Tolkien’s lore. This was Johanna’s idea in singing partly in Finnish, and the rest of us approved it.
M.I. - Have you ever considered composing music for the film industry?
That’s a very good one. Eye of Melian is very much inspired by filmmaking music soundtrack, and Hollywood movies scores music.
We do love composers like John Williams, Hans Zimmer and Danny Elfman. I would love to do it, as well as Mikko. If any of these composers or film producers would like to contact us, we’re available and happy to collaborate.
M.I. - There’s a new trilogy of Lord of the Rings coming out. Who knows?!
Yes, who knows?
M.I. - Insofar, we have two shows coming in March, in Finland. What about future tours and with whom are you headlining?
Fortunately, in Finland it’s considered a tour. We’re running 11 shows in Finland, and late February we’re playing also in the Netherlands.
We have our release parties, as to say, in my hometown and Troy will play with us. Plius, we haven’t announced it, but we’re doing a percussion show as well. The Finnish show will start in Kitee, where Johanna lives (known as the Nightwish capital). We signed a deal with an international booking agency to have more shows in the future and in the next year we are hoping we can jump into festivals.
M.I. - Don’t forget about Portugal!
Absolutely! We have never played in Portugal. We did play in Brazil, but Portugal not yet. It’s a promise.
M.I. - Would you like to recommend three or four composers/ authors that top your list of favorites?
I’m going to start with one of my favorite writers who writes kids’ books, but like Harry Potter, adults love it, which is Brandon Mull. He writes books like The Beyonder, Fablehaven and Five Kingdoms; Tolkien, of course, it’s definitely a big one; the third one, know it’s a cliché but I can’t help it, but I love J. K. Rowling; and the last one is Hans Zimmer.
For Portuguese version, click here
Listen to Eye Of Melian, on Spotify
Questions by André Neves
