Finnish battle metal masters TURISAS vocalist Mathias Nygard has released the following update on their new album:

“We've taken a very different approach sound-wise on the orchestral elements on this album. It's quite a daring one and none of us has had any idea of it will turn out and we've only been guessing.

But having heard it now, I can tell you it will sound absolutely amazing! A giant relief!

I've also just noticed, that I now have an orchestra playing a little mistake I had made in the rough orchestration outline, which has been carried over by a lot of people as being part of the music and made its way all the way to the score, the musicians and eventually the recording. It sounds like a mistake to me, but I don't have the heart to edit it out anymore. When working with the best, you'd better not make mistakes!

This album is going to be amazing!”

The band recently announced they will perform in Israel for the first time, together with Israeli veterans SALEM, on April 4th, at the Reading 3 club in Tel-Aviv.

Tickets can be purchased online at this location or via other retailers for the price of 189 NIS.

The band released a video making the official announcement. Check it out below:

The band’s tour schedule is now as follows:

February

2 - Jacksonville, FL - Roc Bar
3 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade - Downstairs
4 - Charlotte, NC - The Casbah
5 - Richmond, VA - Empire
6 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
7 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium - Upstairs
8 - Montreal, QC - Les Foufounes Électriques
9 - Toronto, ON - The Mod Club
10 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
11 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's Downunder
13 - Minneapolis, MN - Mill City Nights
15 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theatre
16 - Salt Lake City, UT - In the Venue
18 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
19 - Vancouver, BC - Biltmore Cabaret
20 - Portland, OR - Branx
21 - Oakland, CA - Oakland Metro OperaHouse
22 - West Hollywood, CA - Key Club
23 - Santa Ana, CA - The Constellation Room
25 - Tempe, AZ - 910 Live
28 - Dallas, TX - Door

March

1 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
2 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
4 - Orlando, FL - The Social
5 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
6 - Tampa, FL - State Theatre
8 - Mexico City, Mexico - Circo Volador
9 - San Jose, Costa Rica - Pepper's
10 - Bogota, Columbia - Teatro La Mama
12 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - Groove
13 - Santiago, Chile - Rock & Guitarras
15 - Curitiba, Brazil - Music Hall
16 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - Carioca Club
17 - Porto Alegre, Brazil - Opiniao

April

4 - Tel-Aviv, Israel - Reading 3 club
12 - Mons, Belgium - PPM Fest 2013

June

5 - Zadar, Croatia - Burning Sea

July

21 - Tolmin, Slovenia - Metaldays
25 - Chemnitz, Germany - Rock in Betonwerk

Turisas also announced a change in their line-up. Turisas’ original drummer, Tuomas “Tude” Lehtonen, is has stepped aside from the podium after playing with the band from the very beginning.

Lehtonen explains the reasons behind his decision: “I can’t tell you how hard it feels to step away from the path we’ve been walking together for the last 15 years - and to start a new era in my life without the band. There are many reasons for me to quit the band. The stress from the years spent on the road and different artistic visions have lead to a mutual decision for me to step back and hand over the drumsticks to the next guy. In any case, it has been a great experience and all the memories from being on the road are something that I will always cherish. The biggest thanks go to all of the past and present members of the band, not to forget all the technicians and fellow drummers I’ve met on shows and on tour – and, of course, especially to all the fans that have allowed us to grow to the level that Turisas are at today. Good luck and lots of success to all my bandmates - I feel that I will never be straying too far away from the band. I shall always be proudly carrying the heart of Turisas wherever I go. The man can leave the band but the band will never really leave the man. Battle Metal!”

Along with Lehtonen, Turisas' tour bass player Jukka-Pekka Miettinen parted ways with the band as he needs to focus on his own musical projects. The relationship with both members remains friendly and amicable.

Nevertheless, the machine is not even slowing down. Turisas are proudly welcoming the newest members of the band: their new drummer, Jaakko Jakku, has already started recording his drum parts for the upcoming album. The bass duties will be taken care of by Jesper Anastasiadis. Both are excellent musicians and great personalities and the rest of the band is already looking forward to the upcoming shows.

After finishing recording the album at the end of January, Turisas will spend the spring on the road. The rest of the year 2013 is shaping up to be very busy filled with festivals and tours. 2013 will kick start with Turisas being part of the 70 000 Tons of Metal cruise. The cruise will be followed by their Guards Of Glory tour throughout North America and Latin America. Support in North America will come from their label mates in FIREWIND as well as STOLEN BABIES. Check out all dates here.