Finnish heavy metallers BATTLE BEAST, whose debut album, Steel, is out via Nuclear Blast, announce the departure of lead singer Nitte Vänskä from the band. They’ve issued the following statement:

“August 19th Nitte sent the rest of the band an e-mail stating that she was leaving the band, effect immediately. As the reason for her leaving she recited her will to focus on her family life. As this happened without any prior notice, the rest us were slightly disappointed. But what’s done is done, and we’re thrilled to announce the new Battle Beast vocalist with a voice and character to take the band to heights of glory.

Ladies and gentlemen, we give you Noora Louhimo!

"This young singer is already experienced in performing some of the most demanding rock songs in existence and is now ready to take her big step into the metal world. With lungs of leather and a voice to order gods with, Noora possesses all the requirements to deliver the kind of power needed for performing Battle Beast’s music. Don’t believe us? Hear her ripping through ‘Iron Hand’ in the video we’ve uploaded to YouTube! See what you think after that. Noora will also be performing all the lead vocals on Battle Beast’s second album set to be released early 2013! With Noora in the band, Battle Beast is ready to take itself and its music to the next level. The whole band is now burning with newly found energy and motivation and hell bent on conquering the entire metal consuming planet.”

Check out Noora’s vocal skills below:

Speaking of conquering the world, Battle Beast are happy to announce their upcoming European tour as support of their fellow countrymen SONATA ARCTICA: “We feel honoured to announce that Battle Beast will be supporting their fellow Finns Sonata Arctica on their European tour this November. The tour will span a total of 20 shows in 11 countries. Needless to say, we are absolutely psyched! To all our fans everywhere in the world, a big thank you for showing your undying support for the band! See you in a couple of months!"

Tour dates:

November

3 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
4 - Berlin, Germany - Columbiaclub
6 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
7 - Cologne, Germany - Essigfabrik
8 - Antwerpen, Belgium - Trix
9 - Tilburg, Netherlands - 013
11 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche
12 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
13 - Lille, France - Le Splendid
14 - Paris, France - Bataclan
16 - Madrid, Spain - La Riviera
17 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz
19 - Lyon, France - Le Transpordeur
20 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA Longhorn
21 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
22 - Milano, Italy - Alcatraz
24 - Zlin, Czech Republic - Winter Masters of Rock
27 - Munich, Germany - Backstage Halle

More on Battle Beast at this location.