Martijn Westerholt’s EYE OF MELIAN Releases Bruce Dickinson Cover “Tears of the Dragon” + Video!
- Nusa Janssens
- Jan 22
- 3 min read
EYE OF MELIAN plunges into a metal classic with their third single off their upcoming album Forest Of Forgetting, out on February 20, 2026, via Napalm Records. EYE OF MELIAN reimagines the song “Tears Of The Dragon,” the captivating emotional hymn Bruce Dickinson released after his departure from Iron Maiden. The Tolkien-inspired group of Martijn Westerholt and Johanna Kurkela transforms the iconic song, originally featured on Dickinson’s second solo album, Balls To Picasso (1994), into an enchanting, cinematic experience. EYE OF MELIAN blends lush symphonic soundscapes with Kurkela’s gentle, ethereal vocals, transporting listeners into a realm of pure fantasy.
Mikko P. Mustonen about “Tears of the Dragon”:
“I grew up listening to this song, but it wasn’t until I got older that I truly felt the weight of its lyrics. I’ve always loved the fantasy reference—even something as powerful as a dragon must eventually yield and let its emotions break free.”
EYE OF MELIAN opens the gates to a different world with their newest album, Forest Of Forgetting. 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 Martijn Westerholt and featuring Auri’s Johanna Kurkela as a lead vocalist, Forest Of Forgetting is a masterclass in symphonic songwriting so whimsical the real world just fades away. With this rich album, EYE OF MELIAN extends an invitation to faraway lands full of wonder, unfolding as quite the opposite of its title: fully unforgettable.
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,” weaving otherworldly piano melodies and epic strings around angelic vocals worthy of the powerful Valar themselves. “Child Of Twilight” deepens their 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 painting. “Dawn Of Avatars” features Nightwish multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley on flute and uilleann pipes, as well as hurdy-gurdy songstress 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.” The anthem being originally released on Balls To Picasso in 1994 after the singer had left Iron Maiden. Forest Of Forgetting also includes instrumental versions of every track, allowing the album’s impressive orchestration to stand on its own.
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)
Forest Of Forgetting will be available in the following formats:
2-LP Gatefold Vinyl MARBLED TRANSLUCENT REPTILE, incl. 24’’ Booklet – strictly limited to 150 copies worldwide (Napalm Mailorder exclusive)
2-LP Gatefold Vinyl MARBLED CRISTALLO GOLD – strictly limited to 150 copies worldwide (Napalm Mailorder exclusive)
2-LP Gatefold Vinyl BLACK
2-CD Digipak
Digital Album
[2-LP Gatefold Vinyl MARBLED TRANSLUCENT REPTILE, incl. 24’’ Booklet – strictly limited to 150 copies worldwide (Napalm Mailorder exclusive)]
