Finnish battle metal masters TURISAS are finally touring Australia for the first time in the band’s history.

Fresh from the studio, the band will be coming over for two gigs at the end of May. They will be supported by local melodic death talent DEAD LETTER OPENER and international melodeath darlings BE'LAKOR.

The previously announced Brisbane show on May 21st has been cancelled. Please head back to the point of purchase for a full refund. Dates now include:

May

22 - Sydney, Australia – The Factory Theatre
23 - Melbourne, Australia – Billboard The Venue

Turisas will play in Japan for the first time in May. The band will perform at Finland Fest 2010, May 29th at LiquidRoom in Tokyo. The event, which is entirely dedicated to Finnish bands, is entitled Metal Attack and will also feature TAROT, BEFORE THE DAWN and POISONBLACK.

The band has uploaded video greetings for their Japanese fans. Check out the clip below. Further details: creativeman.co.jp/artist/2010/05finland/, myspace.com/finlandfestinjapan.

As previously reported, Turisas recently began work on their upcoming third album in Sound Supreme studio, Hämeenlinna, Finland – the same studio where they recorded their previous album. The new album, successor to Battle Metal (2004) and The Varangian Way (2007), is due to be released later this year.

The band have posted the second part of their video blog / studio diary. Check out both available clips below.

which can be viewed below.

Vocalist, songwriter and producer Mathias Nygård recently stated: “After a nine-month break from touring to be able to fully focus on songwriting, we've finally moved forward and have now started recording. It's going to be a long project, and keep us busy all the way until the break of summer, but believe me, the wait will be all worth it. With three years between albums, there's been enough of time to find a fresh angle and new ideas not to repeat ourselves or albums we've done in the past. The songs rock big time, but the epic elements aren't going anywhere – it's going to sound larger than ever before. The leap forward is going to be just as big as between Battle Metal and The Varangian Way."

Further updates to follow. More on Turisas at this location.