Swiss folk metal institution ELUVEITIE have officially announced Nicole Ansperger as their new violinist.

The band states: "As hard as farewells can be, as auspicious are new beginnings! We are thrilled to introduce to you Meri's successor.

We consider ourselves lucky to have found a true master of Celtic folk fiddling! A full-blooded musician and violin player through and through, she has played countless shows over many years and also played as a session musician for many well-known acts (such as THE HOOTERS, for instance). During the last ten years she further made a name for herself through her engagement with the Irish folk rock bands PADDY GOES TO HOLYHEAD and ACROSS THE BORDER, but also the renowned medieval/classical metal act HAGGARD. Not only a virtuoso of the fiddle, she also plays the 7-stringed violin as well as the cello! So, ladies and gentlemen - please welcome to the Eluveitie camp: Nicole Ansperger!”

Nicole comments: “Dear Eluveitie fans, I am absolutely delighted to be Eluveitie’s new violin player. I love Eluveitie’s music and have been a fan myself for a long time. Is there anything better than getting to play for the band you love? I am looking forward to many sweat-inducing, incredible shows with you and the band. See you on stage!”

Nicole will join the band on stage for the first time at the upcoming Eluveitie & Friends festival (December 28th) - to play, as an exclusively premiere for this show, a brand new song from their next album.

Tickets are available here.